How to combat dandruff?

Please see a dermatologist if it is very itchy. I ignored severe scalp scaling thinking it was just dry weather, but it turned out to be seborrheic dermatitis which led to massive hair fall. Early treatment would have saved me so much trouble.

I used to apply heavy hair oil to cure my dry scalp, but that actually made my dandruff worse because the fungus feeds on oil. Switched to a salicylic acid shampoo twice a week and my scalp is finally clean.

My teenage son has severe dandruff because of sports sweat and dust. I make sure he washes his hair immediately after football practice and uses a mild medicated shampoo. Keeping their sports caps clean also helps avoid bacterial buildup.

My doctor explained that dandruff is often caused by an overgrowth of Malassezia yeast. He advised me to leave the anti-dandruff shampoo on my scalp for 5 full minutes before rinsing so the active ingredients can actually work. Just washing it off instantly doesn't help.

A dilute lemon and curd mixture worked wonders for my mild seasonal itchiness. But if your scalp is bleeding, has yellow crusts, or is red, please don't experiment with home remedies. Go straight to a skin doctor.

I was reading that hard water in Indian cities is a major reason why our dandruff never goes away. Many people suggested using a tap filter or rinsing hair with drinking water at the end. Might be worth a try!