Disease Index

Homeopathy for Dandruff

dandruff
Written by Dr. Manisha Bhatia

Dandruff is an excessive scaling of the dead skin of the scalp and other parts of the body. In the great majority of cases of dandruff, there is no known cause. However, there are indications that heredity, diet, and upset in the body’s hormonal balance may be contributory factors.

Are you looking for a homeopathic cure for dandruff? This article discusses the homeopathy treatment of dandruff along with the best homeopathic medicine for dandruff treatment.

What is Dandruff?

Although it usually cases little more harm than itching, dandruff can look unsightly and cause a great deal of embarrassment. Fortunately most cases of dandruff are easy to treat.

Dandruff is an excessive scaling of the dead skin of the scalp and other parts of the body. It forms part of what doctors call a seborrheic (Homeopathy Treatment for Seborrheic Dermatitis) tendency an overproduction of sebum, the natural oil secreted by glands in the skin. The condition can affect all the areas where hair grows, most commonly the scalp but occasionally also the eyebrows, the chest, and the groin.

In the great majority of cases of dandruff, there is no known cause. However, there are indications that heredity, diet, and upset in the body’s hormonal balance may be contributory factors. Stress and severe emotional upheaval can make dandruff worse.

The excessive greasiness of an adolescent’s skin is also a well-known cause of dandruff. Campers who are unable to wash their hair regularly may suddenly develop it, as may swimmers who bathe in salt water without wearing swimming caps.

Homeopathy treatment for Dandruff

homeopathy remedies for cough cure

Homeopathy treats the person as a whole. It means that homeopathic medicine for dandruff focuses on the patient as a person, as well as his pathological condition.

The homeopathic medicine for dandruff are selected after a full individualizing examination and case-analysis, which includes the medical history of the patient, physical and mental constitution etc. A miasmatic tendency (predisposition/susceptibility) is also often taken into account for the treatment of chronic conditions.

The medicines given below indicate the therapeutic affinity but this is not a complete and definite guide to the treatment of this condition. The symptoms listed against each medicine may not be directly related to this disease because in homeopathy general symptoms and constitutional indications are also taken into account for selecting a remedy.

To study any of the following remedies in more detail, please visit our Materia Medica section. None of homeopathic medicine for dandruff should be taken without professional advice.

Reportorial rubrics:

[Kent] Head, Dandruff

[Robin Murphy] Diseases, Dandruff.

[Boericke] Head, Scalp, Dandruff.

Homeopathic Remedies for Dandruff

  • Thuja
  • Natrum muriaticum
  • Kali sulphuricum
  • Graphites
  • Phosphorus
  • Carboneum sulphuratum
  • Sulphur
  • Ammonium muriaticum
  • Lycopodium
  • Mezereum
  • Arsenic album
  • Brayta carbonica
  • Bryonia Alba
  • Medorrhinum
  • Oleander
  • Psorinum
  • Sepia
  • Alumina
  • Badiaga
  • Heracleum sphondylium
  • Kali carbonicum
  • Magnesium carbonicum
  • Sanicula aqua

MATERIA MEDICA

Thuja occidentalisthuja homeopathic medicine for dandruff

White, scaly dandruff; hair dry and falling out. Greasy skin of face. Hydrogenoid constitution, having Good humor. Inclination to speak. Cheerful disposition without extravagance. An itching on the occiput.

Natrum muriaticum

Dandruff, greasy, oily, scalp. Dry eruptions, especially on margin of hairy scalp. Itching and burning of hair follicles. Alopecia. Eczema; raw, red, inflamed, especially in the edges of hair worse from eating too much salt. Great emaciation; losing flesh while living well. Great liability to take cold.

Kali sulphuricum

Dandruff and scalded. Ailments accompanied by profuse desquamation. Applicable to the later stages of inflammation. Dandruff; yellow scales in skin diseases. All ailments are worse in a warm room and toward evening and better in cool, open air.

Graphites

Dandruff. Dryness of scalp. Humid, itching eruption on hairy scalp, emitting a fetid odor. patients who are rather stout, of fair complexion, with tendency to skin affections and constipation, fat, chilly, and costive, take cold easily. Has a particular tendency to develop the skin phase of internal disorders.

Phosphorus

Itching of scalp, dandruff, falling out of hair in large bunches. Dandruff, falls out in clouds; baldness of single spots. Adapted to tall slender persons of sanguine temperament, fair skin, delicate eyelashes, find blond or red hair, quick perceptions, and very sensitive nature. Young people, who grow too rapidly, are inclined to stoop; who are chlorotic or anaemic.

Carboneum sulphuratum

Chronic skin diseases with much itching. Very useful in patients broken down by abuse of alcohol. Sensitive patients worse cold, wasted muscles, and skin and mucous membranes anesthetics.

Sulphur

Scalp dry, falling of hair; worse, washing. Dryness and heat of scalp with instance Itching, especially at night, and scratching causes soreness; wetting makes it burn.

Adapted to persons of a scrofulous diathesis, Persons of nervous temperament, quick motioned, quick tempered plethoric, skin excessively sensitive to atmospheric changes.

Lean, stoop-shouldered persons who walk and sit stooping; walk stooping like old men. Standing is the worst position for Sulphur patients; they cannot stand; every standing position is uncomfortable. Dirty, filthy people, prone to skin affections. Aversion to being washed.

Ammonium muriaticum

Itching of scalp, dandruff, falling out of hair in large bunches. Especially adapted to those who are fat and sluggish; or large and fat, but legs too thin.

Lycopodiumlycopodium homeopathy medicine for dandruff

Great falling out of hair. Eczema; moist oozing behind ears. Deep furrows on forehead. Premature baldness and gray hair. Worse by pressure of clothes, warmth, and awaking. Better by cold applications. Carbo-nitrogenoid constitution. Patient is thin, withered, full of gas and dry.

Mezereum

White scaly dandruff. Affections of external head; scaly eruption, white scabs. Patient is very sensitive to cold. One-sided symptoms; whole or partial numbness of one side of scalp. Violent, Irritative burning, itching, burning smarting, burning boring, etc. with coldness of part affected. Worse at night, warmth of bed, fire, cold air, drafts, damp weather, by motion and touch. Better by wrapping up and in open air.

Arsenicum album

Scalp itches intolerably; circular patches of bare spots; rough, dirty, sensitive, and covered with dry scales; nightly burning and itching; dandruff. Scalp very sensitive; cannot brush hair. Mentally restless, but physically too weak to move. Great prostration. Aggravation after midnight, from cold in general.

Brayta carbonica

Dandruff. Brain feels as if loose. Hair falls out. Confusion.Specially indicated in infancy and old age. This remedy brings aid to scrofulous children, especially if they are backward mentally and physically, take cold easily,

Bryonia Alba

Seborrhœa. Hair very greasy. Sensitive scalp; every hair pains. Averse to least motion, even of distant parts. Dry, burning heat; with aggravation of all symptoms.

Calcarea carbonica

Itching of the scalp. Scratches head on waking. Scalp itches; on awaking. Adapted to Fat, flabby; who sweats easily. Scrofulous constitution. Patient is fat, fair, and flabby; takes cold easily. Averse to work or exertion.

Medorrhinum

Hair dry, crispy. Itching of scalp; copious dandruff. Medorrhinum is a remedy which is predominantly indicated for the people who are very comfortable at night. Medorrhinum symptoms are worse in daytime.

Oleander

Corrosive itching on forehead and edge of hair; worse from heat. Violent Itching, scalp sensitive and numb. Nocturnal burning. Very sensitive skin; slightest friction causes soreness and chapping. Numbness of scalp

Psorinum

Hair matted. Hair dry, lusterless, rough. Dirty, dingy look of the patients’ skin. Intolerable itching; worse, from warmth of bed. Sebaceous glands secrete excessively; oily skin. Wants to wash parts affected. Worse by warmth. Dull tangled hair.

Sepia

Hair falls out. Roots of hair sensitive. Itching; not relieved by scratching. Patient is indifferent, very sad, weeps easily.

Alumina

Falling out of hair; scalp itches and is numb. Intolerable itching when getting warm in bed. A very general condition corresponding to this drug is dryness of mucous membranes and skin, and tendency to paretic muscular states.. Disposition to colds in the head; dry, thin subjects.

Badiaga

Dandruff; scalp sore, dry, tetter-like. Dull, dizzy feeling in head; with sensation of enlargement and fullness

Heracleum sphondylium

Much fatty perspiration on head and violent itching. Seborrhœa capitis.

Kali carbonicum

Loose feeling in head. Dandruff with great dryness of hair; falls out. Burning as from a mustard plaster.

Magnesium carbonicum

Sticking pain in the side of the head on which he lies, as if the hair was pulled; worse, mental exertion. Dandruff itching of scalp worse in damp weather.

Sanicula aqua

Profuse scaly dandruff. Patient looks old and thin. Body smells like old cheese. Water smells like old, musty rain water. Craves bacon, or ice cold milk.

Etiology of Dandruff

The exact reason for the accelerated cell turnover that causes dandruff (and other hyper-proliferative skin disorders) is unknown; causes such as diet, hormones, and vitamin deficiencies have been explored with little result. There does not appear to be an association between oiliness of the scalp and dandruff.

Increasingly, research on the etiology of dandruff has focused on the role of a fungus normally found on the human scalp and skin (Malassezia furfur, a dimorphic lipophilic fungus variously referred to as Malasseiza ovalis or by the name of its yeast form, Pityrosporum ovale or Pityrosporum orbiculare).

This organism exerts a lipase activity that allows it to reduce sebum triglycerides to free fatty acids, which in turn induces scaling. A higher number of organisms increase the severity of dandruff. This theoretical etiology may also explain the otherwise puzzling worsening of dandruff in the winter, since fungal organisms may thrive in the warmth and moisture produced on the scalp by sweating while wearing caps and hats.

Several trigger factors have been proposed to explain why in selected patients M. furfur transforms from a commensal (an organism that lives in a symbiotic relationship with another without harming it) to a noninvasive pathogenic organism, including a genetic predisposition, emotional stress, changes in the quantity or quality of sebum (an increase in wax esters and short chain fatty acids), increased alkalinity of the skin, and occlusion of the skin in the scalp.

Causes of Dandruff

  • Overgrowth of skin cells that make up the scalp may cause dandruff. It is not known what accelerates this cell growth.
  • That dandruff may be a hypersensitive reaction to the proliferation of Pityrosporum ovale, yeast that occurs naturally on the scalp.
  • Another theory that held for some time linked dandruff to a new fungus, Malassezia, that seems to exist in overabundance on the scalps of those affected with the disease.
  • Dandruff causes have been attributed to dry skin, oily skin, shampooing too often or not often enough.
  • Use of too many chemical hair products. (e.g., hair sprays, gels)

Other factors known to trigger dandruff include:

  • Hormonal imbalance.
  • Poor health.
  • poor hygiene
  • Use of electric hair curlers or blow dryers.
  • Allergic hypersensitive.
  • Lack of rest.
  • Emotional stress.
  • Excessive consumption of sugar, fat, starch.
  • Improper nutrition.
  • Heredity predisposition.
  • Stress and anxiety. Cold weather and dry indoor heating.
  • Sometimes sensitivities to certain hair-care products or hair dyes can cause a red, itchy, scaling scalp.

Signs and symptoms of Dandruff

  • It may vary, commonly symptoms include,
  • White, oily-looking flakes of dead skin in your hair and on your shoulders.
  • An itchy, scaling scalp.
  • Scalp can be either excessively dry or oily.

Manifestations of Dandruff

The major manifestations of dandruff are scaling and occasional pruritis. The rapidity of cell turnover in dandruff prevents complete keratinization of desquamated (shed) cells, which causes dry, white or gray flakes to accumulate on the scalp in small, round patches.

Dandruff flakes brush away painlessly as patients scratch them or as they are disturbed by hair brushing, putting on clothes, etc. Some flakes may also cling to hair until it is washed. The crown of the head is the most common location for dandruff, although the entire scalp may be affected. Bare scalp areas, such as those caused by male pattern baldness, are not affected by dandruff.

The borders of dandruff scaling are indistinct, as it is a diffuse condition. Also, although patients may complain of pruritis in more severe cases, inflammation is not a major component of dandruff. Dandruff is more severe from October through December and milder in the summer—a seasonal occurrence that aids in recognition.

Tinea of the scalp (superficial fungal infection requiring prescription medications) can mimic dandruff. Persistent dandruff unresponsive to nonprescription products should be referred to a dermatologist for evaluation.

Diagnosing Dandruff

Dandruff can typically be self-diagnosed and does not normally require specific diagnostic measures. However, if symptoms are severe and flakes are accompanied by redness and inflammation of the scalp or a secondary skin infection, it may indicate the presence of a related condition such as seborrheic dermatitis and it should be properly diagnosed by a specialist.

Conventional Treatment of Dandruff

  • Dandruff shampoos are used according to their active ingredient:
  • Zinc pyrithione shampoos. Containing the antibacterial and antifungal agent.
  • Tar-based shampoos. Used in condition such as dandruff, seborrheic dermatitis and psoriasis.
  • Shampoos containing salicylic acid.
  • Selenium sulfide shampoos. Help prevent cell turnover and may reduce the number of malassezia.
  • Ketoconazole shampoos. Armamentarium, ketoconazole is a broad-spectrum antifungal agent that may work when other shampoos fail.

Home care for Dandruff

Keep your stress level down. Stress makes you susceptible to a number of conditions and diseases; including dandruff.

If your hair are oily, then Shampoo often to remove the excess oil. Massage your scalp gently with your fingers or a soft brush to loosen the scales and improve scalp circulation.

Use gentle shampoos for washing your hair. Be sure to rinse off all soap. If you are going outdoor, do not use oil on your scalp; dust and pollutants get absorbed by scalp. Keep hair and scalp clean to avoid accumulation of dead cells.

Hair should be brushed daily to improve circulation.

If scales do not easily loosen and wash off, apply some mineral oil, wet cloth around your head for up to an hour before shampooing.

Massaging teatree oil into the scalp may help prevent or relieve dandruff. It relieves scaling and itching.

Say NO to harmful cosmetic hair products [Hair sprays, styling gels, mousses and hair waxes etc].

Well-balanced diet. Diet supplemented with B-complex vitamins may alleviate dandruff condition. Reduction or elimination of animal proteins and eating mostly whole grains, fresh vegetables, beans and fruit: avoiding excess salt, sugar, and alcohol. Avoid citrus fruits, bananas, tinned fruits. Avoid strong tea/coffee, pickles, refined and processed foods.

The use of fenugreek seeds is an important remedies in the treatment of dandruff. Two tablespoons of these seeds should be soaked overnight in water and ground into a fine paste in the morning; apply all over the scalp and leave it for 20min, then washed hair thoroughly.

The use of a teaspoon of fresh lime juice for the last rinse, while washing the hair, is another useful remedy.

Dandruff can be removed by massaging the hair for half an hour with curd. Sunlight may help you to reduce dandruff.

Relaxation techniques such as meditation or yoga may help relieve stress, which exacerbate dandruff.

If the scales continue to be a concern, contact your physician.

The above information about homeopathy treatment of dandruff is only for information purpose. Please consult a professional homeopath before taking any homeopathic medicine for dandruff. 

Dandruff Cases Cured with Homeopathic Medicine

A Case of Dandruff and Hair Loss – by V. Charuvahan

A Brief Look at Hair Pathology and Often Indicated Remedies – by Chirag Mishra, Ankita Upadhay, Rajshree Jangid

Case of a Girl with a ‘The Wierd Complaint’ – by Upma Israni

Alopecia Areata – by Satyakaam Trigunait

The Psychological Cost of Psoriasis: A Case Study – by Vanita Rajiv Johari

About the author

Dr. Manisha Bhatia

BHMS, M.D. (Hom), CICH (Greece)
Dr. (Mrs) Manisha Bhatia is a leading homeopathy doctor working in Jaipur, India. She has studied with Prof. George Vithoulkas at the International Academy of Classical Homeopathy. She is the Director of Asha Homeopathy Medical Center, Jaipur's leading clinic for homeopathy treatment and has been practicing since 2004.

She writes for Hpathy.com about homeopathic medicines and their therapeutic indications and homeopathy treatment in various diseases. She is also Associate Professor, HoD and PG Guide at S.K. Homeopathy Medical College. To consult her online, - visit Dr. Bhatia's website.

2 Comments

  • LYCOPODIUM should also be considered
    i treated my son 9 yrs with pityriasis captitis with thick crusts of dandruff and hair falling in bunches
    even graphites failed
    using LYCO the crusts automatically healed and shed on its own

Leave a Reply to amit X