Aging and Dandruff

You may think that children and the elderly have nothing in common.  When it comes to the scalp though, there are a few things that they share.  Dandruff is one of those things.  The exact cause of this scalp condition is still debatable, but it is known that no matter what age you are, dandruff can find itself on your head. 

Again, it can all start in infancy with causes unknown.  Speculation points to the hormones of the mother transferring to the baby during childbirth.  Hormone problems can cause a number of problems, and one of them is seborrheic dermatitis.  In infants, seborrhea is called cradle cap.  Seeing grayish flakes on your baby’s scalp might cause one to panic, but it really isn’t a reason to do so.  By the time your child reaches the age of one, the condition should rectify itself.  There are treatments available however to lessen the discomfort of your little bundle of joy.

As the child grows older, he will encounter more opportunities to cause havoc to his scalp.  Playing in the public sandbox with other children will already expose him to possible problems.  Regular dandruff doesn’t afflict kids of this age, so whatever is causing the flaking and itchiness is either fungal or lice.  Both have similar symptoms with scruff, so it’s easy to mistake one for the other.  It’s easy enough however, to check the scalp for a small ring like pattern for ringworm.  If there are white spots on the scalp that aren’t easily removed, then head lice is the cause.  There are creams and shampoos available to treat either case. 

Now, as children reach puberty, true signs of dandruff might start to show.  With changes in hormones and an increase in sebum production, both play a part in the spread of a certain fungus called malasezzia.  This is considered the main cause of regular dandruff.  Anywhere from adolescence to the age of forty, normal dandruff can occur and spread.  While there is no cure for occasional flaking, managing the problem is as easy as buying the right anti dandruff shampoo for you.  Regular use of dandruff creams and lotions will also help.  Consulting a doctor for the right treatment plan might make it easier on you.  Some may have to endure the condition their whole lives, while some may experience a reprieve in old age. 

It must be noted that dandruff isn’t really a common problem for the elderly.  Due to changes in their skin and the growing sensitivity of their scalp, it still occurs on occasion, however.  For one, the combination of baldness in older men and exposure to the elements causes the scalp to dry, which in turn can cause dandruff.  Dandruff may also look worse in the elderly due to the lack of hair to cover the area.  Other than the already mentioned treatment options though, simply protecting the scalp by way of head wear helps quite a bit.  Moisturizing the scalp may have to be done more often as well. 

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