Dandruff

When to see your GP

You don't usually need to see your GP if you have dandruff, but it's a good idea to visit them if:

you've tried anti-dandruff shampoos for at least a month and your symptoms haven't improved
your dandruff is very severe or your scalp is very itchy
your scalp is red or swollen
you have a weakened immune system for example, you're having chemotherapy , you have HIV , or you're taking medication that suppresses your immune system

Your GP can examine your scalp to check for skin conditions that could be causing your dandruff see causes , below.

They can also prescribe stronger treatments, such as medication that contains coconut oil and salicylic acid in combination with a steroid lotion, mousse or shampoo .

Medically Reviewed by a doctor on 21 Dec 2018

Articles for dandruff

Introduction

Find out what causes dandruff, what you can do to get rid of it and when to get medical advice.

Treatments for dandruff

The main treatment for dandruff is anti-dandruff shampoo. There are a number of types available to buy from supermarkets orpharmacies. Look for shampoo containing one of the following ingredients:

When to see your GP

You don't usually need to see your GP if you have dandruff, but it's a good idea to visit them if: you've tried anti-dandruff shampoos for at least a month and your symptoms haven't improved your d

Causes of dandruff

Your skin constantly produces new skin cells and sheds old cells to stay healthy. Dandruff can occur when this cycle of skin renewal speeds up. This leads to patches of dead skin forming on the scalp

Dandruff in babies

Babies can sometimes have dandruff and yellow, greasy, scaly patches on their scalp.This is known as cradle cap. Cradle cap appears most often in babies in the first two months. It tends to last o

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