Dandruff
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:
- zinc pyrithione
- salicylic acid
- selenium sulphide (or selenium sulfide)
- ketoconazole
- coal tar
Make sure you read the instructions that come with the shampoo before using it to check if it's suitable for you and see how often it should be applied. A pharmacist can offer advice if you need it.
It's particularly important to leave the shampoo in your hair for at least five minutes before washing it out.
Try these shampoos for a month to see if your dandruff improves. You might need to try more than one type to find one that works for you.
You may be able to use the shampoo less often once your symptoms improve, but your dandruff will probably come back if you stop using it completely.
Medically Reviewed by a doctor on 21 Dec 2018
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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