How To Control Dandruff Caused By Yeast

Health & Medical Articles

If you notice large pieces of dry skin flaking off the top of your head, then you obviously have a case of dandruff. Dandruff can be caused by eczema, psoriasis, or dry skin. The condition may also be caused by an overgrowth of yeast across the head. Yeast lives on the head naturally and feeds off the skin cells on your scalp. The yeast uses the oils released by the hair follicles to multiply, and an overgrowth can occur when the conditions are just right. This causes inflammation, itching, and the flaking of the skin off the head. You can seek out treatment with the help of dermatology services, and the professional will likely provide you with a cream to use. You can also help to control the dandruff yourself with the following tips.

Boost the Immune System

Yeast, as well as bacteria, live all across both the inside and outside of the body, and the immune system is responsible for keeping the microorganisms in check so they do not take over a certain area of the body. This system releases white blood cells to eliminate foreign cells and substances from the body before they can do any harm. The body recognizes when yeast cells start to take over an area or grow uncontrollably, and some of the yeast is destroyed. However, it is much harder for the body to kill yeast cells than it is to get rid of bacteria due to their hearty nature. This means it is easy for yeast to grow out of control on areas like the head when the immune system is weakened. Weaknesses occur due to stress, illness, and lack of sleep. You can strengthen the immune system though, and prevent yeast overgrowths and dandruff by doing the following things.

• Increase vitamin C - Vitamin C helps the body to produce more white blood cells and it acts to fight off the free radicals in the body that can make you ill. Eat foods like bell peppers, oranges, strawberries, papayas, berries, and tomatoes. Eat at least one serving of these foods a day to help keep the immune system healthy. Increase your intake to two or three servings daily when you see dandruff and your immune system needs a boost.
• Get enough sleep - Your body needs sleep to repair all of the tissues in the body that have been injured. Sleep is also needed to increase the production of T-cells, one of the important structures that helps the immune system function. If you are having difficulty sleeping, then make sure to rest in a dark and noise free environment. Reduce caffeine consumption for several hours before going to bed and think about taking a natural supplement like melatonin.
• Do not smoke - Smoking exposes the body to more than 7,000 different chemicals, and many of these substances are considered toxic. When you expose your body to all of these chemicals on a daily basis, the immune system must work hard to eliminate them. It also must repair tissues that have been damaged by the substances. This forces the immune system to ignore other issues, like the overgrowth of yeast. Quit smoking immediately so your immune system can focus on viruses, bacteria, and yeast.

Fight the Yeast

Another good way to reduce dandruff is to fight the yeast itself from both inside and outside the body. However, keep in mind that some yeast is not a bad thing, so it is best not to go overboard in your attempt to kill it. The yeast and the bacteria inside and outside your body usually live in conjunction with one another to keep each other in check. Without some yeast, bacteria can take over and cause infections to form. You can boost the number of good bacteria that live in the body to help control overgrowths though, and eating foods with probiotics can help with this. Find yogurts, supplements, and drinks at your local supermarket that contain live probiotics. This may not directly help to get rid of the yeast on your head, but it will free up the immune system to fight the overgrowth.

You can eliminate some of the yeast as well by using a homemade anti-fungal topical solution. Salicylic acid is the active ingredient in many dandruff shampoos that kills yeast. However, some people complain that these products dry out the scalp and actually contribute to dandruff, because they also contain substances that get rid of oils on the head. Fortunately, you can easily add salicylic acid to your own shampoo and reduce dryness by crushing two aspirin into the cleaner and washing your hair as you normally would. 

2 July 2015