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
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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