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Pharmacy Care provides information about self-care, that is how to treat minor medical conditions with products available at the pharmacy. Find out how your pharmacist can help you to manage minor conditions yourself.
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Dandruff is a common problem, affecting 15 to 20 per cent of the population. Dandruff is formed when dead skin cells are shed from the scalp, as small white or yellow flakes. You may see them in your hair or they can fall off onto your shoulders, especially when brushing your hair. The cause of dandruff isn’t fully understood, but a variety of factors are thought to be involved, including a type of yeast on the scalp.
Sometimes dandruff can cause mild burning or itching on your scalp. There is usually no redness of the scalp unless you have scratched the area due to an itch. Dandruff is not infectious and can’t spread from person to person; it is not a sign of bad hygiene.
Dandruff tends to come and go over time. It can usually be treated effectively but often returns after treatment stops.
See Your Pharmacist or Medical Professional
if your scalp is very itchy or has sores or crusts
if your scalp has lumpy or irregular patches
if other parts of your body are also affected, such as your eyebrows, forehead or ears
if you have patchy hair loss
if the person with dandruff is under 12 years old
if you have tried a number of anti-dandruff shampoos and the dandruff hasn’t resolved
if you have started to use new hair products when symptoms appeared
Treatment Tips
avoid wearing dark clothes while your dandruff is particularly bad
don’t use hair spray or other products that can irritate your scalp, such as hair dyes
some treatments may work better than others; you may need to try several
dandruff is likely to return so you may need to treat it again, or from time to time
follow directions on the shampoo label; if it irritates or burns your scalp, rinse it away thoroughly and don’t use it again. Ask for advice from your pharmacist on choosing a different product
do not use dandruff products if your skin is broken, and avoid contact with your eyes
shampoos containing zinc pyrithione, such as Head & Shoulders; selenium sulphide, such as the Selsun range; and coal tar, such as Polytar, Neutrogena T/Gel and Sebitar help relieve scaling and itching. They help stop the growth of some yeasts and fungus and help treat dandruff
keratolytic agents (included in products such as Hair Science and Sebitar) help by removing scales of dead skin from the scalp
do not use selenium sulphide-containing shampoos, such as the Selsun range, for 48 hours before or after colouring, bleaching or perming your hair. Selenium sulphide may discolour jewellery
coal tar products, such as Polytar Plus and Sebitar, can make your scalp more susceptible to sunburn, so avoid strong sunlight. Coal tar products are best avoided during pregnancy and breastfeeding unless recommended by your doctor. These products may stain bed-linen, towels and clothing, so rinse thoroughly
ketoconazole and ciclopirox are very effective antifungals which stop growth of yeast and other fungal infections, providing relief from dandruff. They are often successful when other treatments have failed
ketoconazole 2% shampoos should be massaged into the scalp and left for three to five minutes before rinsing. Use twice a week for two to four weeks. Leave at least four weeks before repeating the course (the 1% strength [available by general sale] can be used regularly, up to twice a week)
ciclopirox (Stieprox) should be used two or three times a week. Apply twice each time, rinsing between applications. Leave in hair for a total of three to five minutes over the two applications
any other shampoo product can be used on the days when the ketoconazole or ciclopirox shampoo isn’t being used
ketoconazole and ciclopirox shampoos may occasionally cause discolouration of white, grey or artificially coloured or damaged hair. They are best avoided during pregnancy and breastfeeding unless recommended by your doctor
Other dandruff products
[GENERAL SALE]
e.g. tea tree oil shampoos
there is some evidence that tea tree oil shampoos can improve dandruff
More Information
Availability of medicines
GENERAL SALE available through pharmacies and possibly other retail outlets.
PHARMACY ONLY available for sale through pharmacies only.
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