Dandruff Is Not All in Your Head

If white flakes on a black coat are not the fashion statement you want to make, or if you've given up wearing black altogether, you know how self-conscious dandruff can make you feel. However, dandruff is more than just a cosmetic problem, emphasizes Robin DiPasquale, naturopathic doctor (ND) and chair of the botanical medicine department at Bastyr University in Kenmore, Washington.

She told me that, like other skin problems, dandruff is a manifestation of an imbalance inside the body. This means that you must take a two-pronged approach to its management -- treat uncomfortable symptoms while you work on the big picture of what's happening internally.

LOOKING OUTSIDE: COPING WITH FLAKES AND ITCHING

While you can't control all the external factors that contribute to dandruff (for example, living in a cold, dry climate instead of a warm, wet one), there are plenty of positive steps you can take. For instance, avoid frequent use of hair dryers and don't wear hats all the time. Let the fresh air and sunshine reach your scalp.

Dr. DiPasquale also points out that the fewer the chemicals, the better. Natural shampoos from the health-food store are preferable to potentially harmful chemicals in commercial shampoos that can be absorbed through the scalp. In place of harsh chemical shampoos, Dr. DiPasquale recommends the following "herbal pearls" that you can make at home...

• Tea tree oil for dandruff control. This Australian essential oil is a natural fungus fighter. Combine one-quarter cup of a carrier oil (such as olive, almond, apricot or grapeseed) with 30 to 60 drops of tea tree oil. Twice a week, lightly coat your scalp with this mixture, massaging it in to increase circulation. This gets the blood moving, sending toxins out and allowing nutrients in. Leave on overnight, and wash your hair the next morning. Note: Tea tree oil is quite aromatic, so you may want to warn your bedmate or sleep with the windows open.
• Treatment for general scalp health. For brunettes: Bring four cups of water to a boil... add eight to 10 tablespoons of nettle leaf or rosemary oil... cover with a lid and steep for one hour. Pour cooled mixture on hair following shampoo once a week. (No need to rinse out.) For blondes: This chamomile rinse does not specifically address dandruff, but it does support the scalp and adds shimmer to blonde locks. Follow the same tea recipe for dark hair, substituting eight to 10 tablespoons of dried chamomile flowers.

If commercial dandruff shampoos are the way you want to go, Dr. DiPasquale's first choice is a product that uses selenium, a nutrient that supports the scalp and has antifungal activity, such as the old favorite Selsun Blue, whose name is derived from the active component Selenium Sulfide. Next on the list are coal tar-based shampoos that slow down overproduction of cells. A good brand is Ionil-T Plus (a 2% coal tar shampoo).

MORE THAN A TOPICAL ISSUE -- LOOKING INSIDE

Although dandruff is visible on the outside, it is frequently a reflection of digestive disturbances, explains Dr. DiPasquale. When gut health is poor, it can show up on the scalp as seborrheic dermatitis, characterized by overactive sebaceous (oil-secreting) glands and an overbalance of yeast. The result is mild inflammation and excessive fatty secretions, with symptoms such as flaking, itching, scaling and redness.

To get the body back in balance, Dr. DiPasquale recommends...

• Identify and control food allergies. These cause stress on the digestive system, which in turn causes stress on the whole body. The best way to identify most food allergies is through IgG (immune globulin G, an antibody produced in the immune response) blood tests, says Dr. DiPasquale. She told me that NDs routinely use these tests, while conventional medical doctors are just beginning to get around to them. Dr. DiPasquale does not recommend less reliable skin scratch tests.
• Use elimination challenges. Another simple but effective technique to identify potential food allergens is to eliminate foods one by one for a month and see if symptoms disappear. The most common allergenic foods include wheat, dairy, citrus, eggs, peanuts and soy, so try eliminating those first. Next, reintroduce them into your diet and see whether symptoms return. Note: Having these foods in your diet may make you more likely to test IgG positive to other foods as well. So, eliminating them can make a very big difference.
• Take probiotics. Use these supplements on a daily basis to reset the intestinal microfloral balance. Once the body comes back into balance internally, the overgrowth of yeast on the scalp also will come back into balance and dandruff will gradually disappear.
• Sip an herbal tea. To work on the gut internally, Dr. DiPasquale recommends a burdock root or dandelion root tea, both of which support the liver. Bring four cups of water to a boil, add four teaspoons of either root or a combination of the two, boil for 30 minutes, strain and drink up to two cups a day. If you find the taste earthy, add a little honey.
• Follow an anti-inflammatory diet. This means eating more whole foods, such as fresh fruits and vegetables, nuts, seeds, beans, whole grains and fish. Whenever possible, go organic, as it is more stressful to the system to process chemicals such as pesticides. If you eat meat, choose free-range and hormone-free. It is equally (if not more) important to avoid simple sugars, refined grains, fried foods, partially hydrogenated fats and processed foods that encourage inflammation.

STRESSFUL OUTCOMES

Take steps to effectively manage stress. Stress and anxiety are contributing factors to disturbances inside and outside the body. Internally, a stressful situation might send your pulse racing or upset your stomach. Externally, these inflammatory disturbances can show up as dandruff, eczema or acne.

As you address dandruff and its underlying causes -- both internal and external -- Dr. DiPasquale advises patience. Your body's imbalances didn't develop overnight, and it will take time to correct them. However, with a little consistent effort, you'll soon bring your body back into balance and the only flakes you'll see will be outside when it snows.

Be well,

Carole Jackson
Bottom Line's Daily Health News

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