Suggest Remedies For Itchy Scalp Caused By Dandruff

Posted on Sat, 17 Sep 2016

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sat, 17 Sep 2016 Answered on

Tue, 11 Oct 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : I'm bedridden and my hair is infrequently washed. It gets itchy and when I scratch my scalp I collect white matter (dandruff?) under my nails. Is there any way to alleviate this, short of more frequenting shampooing?

Answered by Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Pathophysiology explained

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on Healthcaremagic.

The cells of the skin of our scalp have a limited lifespan and are frequently renewed. This process therefore leaves a layer of dead cells outside the zone of cell division. As a result, unless you wash off the layer of dead cells, scraping the scalp will let your nail pick up the thickened layer of dead cells which you wrongly interpret to be dandruff. A fungal infection involving this layer however would lead to the itchiness and possibly dandruff. The only way out is regular shampooing.

Let me know if you have further queries.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D