Dandruff Home Remedies, Shampoos and Scalp Care Tips

Author: Ian C. Langtree - View Credentials
Published: 29 Mar 2009 - Updated: 5 Nov 2026
Publication Type: Informative

Table of Contents:
Synopsis - Definition - Overview - FAQs - Insights, Updates - Related Content

Synopsis

This information explains what dandruff is, why the scalp sheds visible flakes, and how seborrheic dermatitis, stress and cold weather can make it worse. It compares medicated shampoos containing ketoconazole, zinc pyrithione, selenium sulfide, coal tar and salicylic acid with popular home remedies such as diluted apple cider vinegar, tea tree oil, aloe vera and rosemary oil, and notes where the evidence for natural treatments is limited. Dandruff is not contagious and rarely causes hair loss, but it can be itchy and embarrassing, and the tips are useful for anyone, including seniors and people with disabilities whose limited mobility or medications can make scalp care harder.

At a Glance

• 1 - Soaking brushes and combs in hot, soapy water helps keep flakes from returning.
• 2 - Rotating to a shampoo with a different active ingredient can help when one stops working.
• 3 - Seborrheic dermatitis can also affect the eyebrows, the sides of the nose, the ears, the chest and the groin.
• 4 - Some people find dandruff eases in summer, possibly because sunlight has a mild anti-inflammatory effect on scaly skin, though too much sun damages skin.

Topic Definition

Dandruff

Dandruff is a common, long-lasting scalp condition in which dead skin cells shed in visible white or yellowish flakes, often with itching. It is linked to an overgrowth of Malassezia, a yeast that lives naturally on the skin, along with oil production and individual sensitivity, and in more severe cases it forms part of seborrheic dermatitis. Dandruff is not contagious and is not caused by poor hygiene, although washing less often can make flakes more noticeable.

Overview

Dandruff is an itchy, annoying and persistent skin disorder of the scalp and can cause either an overly dry scalp with itchy white flakes that may be waxy or greasy or dandruff can manifest as an oily greasy scalp with scales. Shedding of skin is a natural phenomenon. The skin of your scalp replenishes every month. The dead cells that previously formed your scalp now make up what we call dandruff. The presence of negligible dandruff is inevitable. The problem arises only when the presence of dead cells in the form of flakes suddenly increases.

Factors like emotional and physical stress are no less important in triggering dandruff growth. Stress management also improves the scalp condition. Dandruff growth increases during winter months compared to summer for most people. Dandruff is unlikely to be the cause of hair loss. Dandruff is a global phenomenon and many people find that dandruff can cause social or self esteem problems.

Seborrheic Dermatitis

This condition, a frequent cause of dandruff, is marked by red, greasy skin covered with flaky white or yellow scales. Seborrheic dermatitis affects not only your scalp but also other areas rich in oil glands, such as your eyebrows, the sides of your nose and the backs of your ears, your breastbone, your groin area, and sometimes your armpits.

Home Remedies, Tips and ways to treat Dandruff

Natural remedies take time to show any visible results and need consistent use but they are effective in addressing the cause of dandruff.

If you want a speedy control, use shampoos containing ketoconazole such as Nizoral Shampoo anti-fungal/anti-dandruff shampoos. Zinc pyrithione shampoos also contain the antibacterial and anti-fungal agent zinc pyrithione, which has been shown to reduce the fungus that causes dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis. Popular choices for both men and women include Pert, Head and Shoulders, Z-tar, AG Dandruff Shampoo, L'Oreal Elvive Anti-Dandruff Shampoo, and Selsun Blue containing selenium sulfide. Coal tar shampoos and those with salicylic acid may also be beneficial. If one works for a while, then loses its effectiveness, switch to another one with a different main ingredient.

• Oral anti-fungals and oral antibiotics if your scalp becomes infected.
• Apply apple cider vinegar diluted 50 - 50 with water to the scalp and let dry.
• For mild cases of dandruff use the mouthwash Listerine. It has antiseptic properties.
• Some people find that rubbing a little pure coconut oil into the scalp eases dryness and flaking, though the evidence is limited.
• Combine olive oil and ginger root and apply to your scalp 5 minutes before shampooing.
• Tea tree oil (melaleuca oil) has been reported as useful in the treatment of dandruff.
• Topical corticosteroids to reduce inflammation, keratolytics to remove thick scaly patches.
• Use Head and Shoulders anti-dandruff shampoo containing active ingredient Zinc pyrithione.
• Use Nizoral Shampoo anti-fungal/anti-dandruff shampoo containing active ingredient Ketoconazole.
• Selenium sulfide has been reported as the most effective of the tested shampoos at treating dandruff.
• A mixture of coconut oil and lemon juice is equally effective as treatment with apple cider vinegar.
• Some people take garlic or oil of oregano capsules for dandruff, although there is little scientific evidence that they help.
• Rub rosemary oil or a mix of olive oil and crushed rosemary leaves into your scalp and leave on for 15 minutes.
• Rub a gel of Aloe Vera leaves into the scalp and leave overnight. Shampoo your hair first thing in the morning.
• Whenever you wash your hair be sure to soak your hair brushes and combs in very hot water containing some antiseptic.
• Some people find that cutting back on greasy foods helps, though diet has not been shown to cause dandruff. Add more vegetables and fruits to your diet.
• Studies have shown washing your hair in hot water, then again in cold water can help with circulation throughout your scalp.
• Get plenty of Vitamin B6 by eating things such as eggs, cabbage, and yeast. These also help provide sulfur, which is vital to your scalp.
• Boiling 4 large teaspoons of dried thyme in two cups of water for ten minutes; strain and allow to cool. Massage into clean, damp hair but do not rinse.
• If you suffer from mild dandruff, wash your scalp regularly to remove the excess flakes. If you suffer from stubborn flakes, treatment through a medicated shampoo is the answer.
• Sun exposure is good for dandruff because direct ultraviolet light has an anti-inflammatory effect on scaly skin conditions. This may explain why dandruff tends to be less severe in summer than winter months.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is dandruff contagious?

No. Dandruff cannot spread from person to person, even by sharing combs or hats, because it comes from the way your own scalp reacts to yeast and oil.

Is dandruff caused by poor hygiene?

No. Dandruff is not caused by being unclean, although washing hair less often can let flakes and oil build up and make it more visible.

How often should I use dandruff shampoo?

Most people start by using a medicated shampoo two or three times a week, then cut back to once a week once flaking is under control.

What is the difference between dandruff and dry scalp?

Dry scalp produces small, white, dry flakes and often improves with moisturizing, while dandruff flakes tend to be larger, oily and yellowish and respond to antifungal shampoo.

Can babies get dandruff?

Yes. In babies it is called cradle cap, a form of seborrheic dermatitis that usually clears on its own within months and can be eased with gentle washing and soft brushing.

Can dandruff be cured permanently?

Dandruff usually cannot be cured for good, but regular use of a suitable shampoo keeps it well controlled for most people.

Is dandruff shampoo safe for color-treated hair?

Some medicated shampoos, especially coal tar and selenium sulfide, can discolor light or dyed hair, so look for products labeled safe for color-treated hair and rinse well.

When should I see a doctor about dandruff?

See a doctor if the scalp is red, swollen, painful or weeping, if flakes spread to the face or body, or if a month of medicated shampoo does not help.

Insights, Analysis, and Developments

Editorial Note: Most dandruff responds well to regular washing with an over-the-counter medicated shampoo used two or three times a week and left on the scalp for a few minutes before rinsing. Home remedies may soothe a dry or itchy scalp, but they should be tested on a small area first, and essential oils such as tea tree should always be diluted. A doctor or dermatologist is worth seeing if flaking spreads to the face or body, the scalp becomes red, swollen or painful, or several weeks of treatment bring no improvement, since psoriasis, eczema and fungal infections can look similar and need different care.

Author Credentials: Ian C. Langtree is a writer, editor, and the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Disabled World, which he established in 2004 as one of the longest-running independent resources for disability news and information. Over more than two decades, he has written and edited thousands of articles on disability rights, health, accessibility, and assistive technology. Drawing on a global perspective shaped by extensive travel and lived experience, Ian is a committed advocate of the Social Model of Disability, the framework developed by disabled activists in the 1970s that focuses on removing societal barriers rather than on individual impairments. His writing is grounded in that framework and in a lasting commitment to disability rights, accessibility, and social inclusion. To learn more about Ian's background, expertise, and accomplishments, visit his full biography.