It is normal for skin cells to die and
flake off, a small amount of flaking is
normal and in fact quite common. Some
people, however, either chronically or
as a result of certain triggers,
experience an unusually large amount of
flaking, which can also be accompanied
by redness and irritation. This is what
is commonly known as Dandruff or
Scurf.
Most cases of dandruff can be treated
with specialized shampoos or common
household remedies.
Dandruff can also be a symptom of
seborrheic
dermatitis, psoriasis, fungal
infection or head lice. Excessive
scratching should be avoided.
Scratching to the point of causing
breaks in the skin can increase
the risk for infections,
particularly from staph and strep
bacteria. While these infections
are the biggest risk from
dandruff, many people find that
dandruff can cause social or
self-esteem issues, so
treating
dandruff can be very important
for purely social reasons.