Is dry skin the same as dandruff?

What is the difference between dry skin and dandruff?

These are clues, not a diagnosis: appearance and itching overlap. A flaky scalp does not automatically need more moisture, which makes the flakes rather unhelpful witnesses. Cold weather and low humidity can worsen dryness and dandruff, so a winter flare alone does not settle which one you have.234

What should you do for a dry scalp?

1. 1Rinse shampoo out thoroughly. Residue left on your scalp can cause irritation, itching and flaking.
2. 2If a hair product is causing a reaction, stop using it. An itchy rash where shampoo, conditioner or dye touches your skin can point to a product allergy.
3. 3Switch to a gentle, moisturizing, nonmedicated shampoo. For dryness caused by moisture loss, washing less frequently can also help.
4. 4If changing products does not help, arrange a medical assessment rather than continuing to treat the scalp as ordinary dryness.

For dry skin elsewhere, use a fragrance free moisturizer suited to that area. Apply it in the morning, before bed and after bathing while skin is damp. Moisturizers soften dry skin and help prevent cracking; persistent or repeatedly returning dryness needs a dermatologist's assessment.1

What should you do for dandruff?

Dandruff is not caused by poor hygiene, although flakes can become more obvious without regular washing; shampoo is not a character reference. Unlike a moisture depleted scalp, an oily, flaky scalp can benefit from more frequent shampooing. Depending on hair type, shampooing two to three times weekly or daily can control mild dandruff.35

If regular shampoo is not enough, try a dandruff shampoo. Options include ketoconazole, which reduces scalp yeast; salicylic acid, which loosens dead skin cells; and coal tar, which slows how quickly skin cells grow and shed. Follow the product's directions, or ask a pharmacist how to use it. Try treatment for up to four weeks to judge whether it helps.35

You might need to try another type of dandruff shampoo if the first does not help, so the shampoo aisle is not quite a multiple choice test with one correct answer. Dandruff often comes and goes. Ketoconazole shampoo is usually used twice weekly, and some people use it every one to two weeks to prevent recurrence. Skin irritation is its most common side effect.257

When should you get your scalp checked?

See a doctor if dandruff persists after four weeks of treatment, itching is severe, or your scalp becomes red, swollen, warm or painful. Flaky, itchy patches on your face or elsewhere also warrant assessment. Silvery scales or raised patches can indicate psoriasis. Scaly patches with broken hairs or patchy hair loss can indicate scalp ringworm, which needs prescription antifungal medicine. A persistent rough or crusty growth also needs examination rather than another shampoo.245