Dandruff vs Dry Scalp: Differences And The Best Treatments

Having a dry flaking scalp doesn’t always mean that you have dandruff. It could be a sign of a dry scalp. Dandruff and dry scalp have the same main symptoms but they are two different conditions.

In a dry scalp, the skin gets irritated and flakes off. With dandruff, the cause is too much oil on the scalp. That excess oil causes skin cells to build up and then shed. It is best that you consult a doctor and then take proper treatment.

Symptoms

You get a dry scalp when your skin has too little moisture. The skin on your scalp becomes irritated and then it flakes off. When you have dandruff, skin cells on your scalp shed more quickly than usual. This is mainly because the skin cells on your scalp and body normally multiply when you need more of them. Then they die and shed off. The main cause of dandruff is seborrheic dermatitis, a condition that turns the skin oily, red, and scaly. You can get seborrheic dermatitis anywhere you have oil glands, including your eyebrows, groin, armpits, and along the sides of your nose.

One way to tell the difference between dry scalps and flakes from dandruff is by their appearance. Dandruff flakes are bigger and they look oily.

Treatment

If you have a dry scalp, wash with a gentle shampoo and then use a moisturizing conditioner. For mild dandruff, wash your hair every day with a gentle shampoo to reduce the amount of oil on your scalp. If your dandruff is more severe, and a regular shampoo doesn’t work, then try an anti-dandruff shampoo. There is also anti-dandruff hair oil that you can use to cure dandruff.