Dandruff

I’ve been suffering from severe dandruff for the past couple of months. My scalp itches and large flakes of skin come out. I’ve tried special shampoos from the shop but they don’t seem to make a difference. What else can I try?

Dandruff is usually caused by a yeast. The scalp produces a natural oil called sebum which creates a warm moist environment – the perfect breeding ground for the fungus. Most anti-dandruff shampoos contain anti-fungal ingredients such as zinc pyrithione. If your shampoo contains this and still hasn’t worked then see your GP who will be able to prescribe something stronger and check that this is just dandruff and not eczema or psoriasis, both of which can cause a flaking scalp.