When I scratch my head I get white stuff?

Little White Flakes

Those are the telltale signs of dandruff. Dandruff flakes are dead skin cells that fall off your scalp. When you have dandruff, your scalp may look scaly or red and feel itchy or raw. Scratching or rubbing your head loosens the flakes.

How come when I scratch my head white stuff comes out?

Dandruff flakes are actually dead skin cells that naturally fall off the scalp — more so if you scratch. Many people think that a dry scalp is synonymous with dandruff, but either a dry scalp or an overly oily scalp can cause excess cells to clump and fall off, forming dandruff flakes.

What causes white buildup on scalp?

Scalp buildup occurs when an oily secretion called sebum accumulates alongside sweat, hair products, and dead skin cells on the scalp. It can have symptoms similar to those of seborrheic dermatitis, scalp psoriasis, and eczema. For example, each of these conditions can cause flakes to appear in the hair and scalp.

What is the white flaky stuff on my head?

Dandruff - or seborrheic dermatitis -- happens when dead skin cells are shed at a faster-than-normal rate. They tend to be white or light yellow and easy to rub off your head. The cause of dandruff is unclear. Hormones are suspect, because dandruff peaks in the teen years.

Should I scratch my dandruff out?

Do your best to resist the urge to touch your scalp, especially if it's already itchy. Scratching can increase irritation and lead to a vicious cycle. When you touch and scratch, you can also introduce dirt into the mix that can make dandruff worse.

Why your scalp is so damn ITCHY

How do I get rid of sebum on my scalp?

The first step in cleaning sebum plugs from the scalp is to wash your scalp with warm water. Next, use a mild shampoo while gently massaging your scalp with your fingertips. This helps loosen all the hardened and dried sebum on the scalp. Excess build-up of sebum occurs on the scalp rather than hair strands.

Is sebum good for your hair?

Sebum is the oil produced by the sebaceous or oil glands on your scalp. This naturally occurring oil helps hydrate your hair just like other naturally occurring oils do for your skin. This is why scalp sebum is essential for healthy hair growth. This is why it needs to be protected.

What is the white stuff in my hair when I scratch it with scissors?

If the wax is present in your hair, the wax will build upon the scissors, and if it is not, it will not build up. As you scrape off the hair, the wax will fall, and their pieces will collect over the scissors' blades.

What does buildup on scalp look like?

Symptoms of scalp buildup include: Flaky scalp. Oily or crusty skin (called cradle cap in infants) Scalp redness.

Is dandruff a fungus?

The major culprit of dandruff is a fungus called Malassezia. This fungus exists on most adults' scalps. It feeds on the oils on your scalp, breaking it down and leaving oleic acid in its place. Many people are sensitive to oleic acid.

How do you properly clean your scalp?

What happens if you scratch your scalp too much?

When a person scratches an itchy scalp repeatedly or intensely, they can damage their skin and hair follicles. This damage can result in temporary hair loss, bleeding, and scabbing from the scratching. Once the person stops scratching, the hair will usually grow back.

Is it good to scratch your scalp?

Constant scratching can lead to wounds and scabs, further damaging your scalp. The scalp can also become dry as the outer layer of skin becomes weak and lacks moisture. Scratching leaves your hair weak and your scalp vulnerable.

Why is my head wet when I scratch it?

Dry dandruff, on the other hand, is made up of small, white flakes which can fall off of the scalp easily. The yellow flakes of wet dandruff are much larger and can become sticky, causing them to clump together and cling to your hair. If you scratch your scalp with wet dandruff, it will also feel wet.

What color is scalp sebum?

WHITE: This is the ideal colour. If it's translucent with no flakes, not oily or dry and slightly soft to the touch, it's perfectly healthy!. But this may change with age and changes in diet and lifestyle, so always be mindful. YELLOW: You may have overactive sebum secretion clogging your follicles.

How can I lower my sebum naturally?

Does conditioner remove sebum?

However, these cationic quaternary compounds in conditioners are not as good at removing sebum as shampoo, so the 'no-poo' method may be fine for those with dry or very dry hair but likely will not be as successful for those with oily hair who regularly experience a faster build-up of sebum.

How do I stop producing too much sebum?

What does a sebum plug look like?

Sebum plugs usually develop on the face, including the forehead, chin and nose. They look more like pimples and have a “head.” In fact, sebum plugs appear before zits and can turn into pimples.

Can you go bald from scratching your head?

Normal, everyday scratching is not going to lead to hair loss. You do not scratch hard enough to pull your hair out or damage the hair follicles. Most of the time, individuals who experience hair loss from an itchy scalp have an underlying medical condition that is causing excessive irritation.

What shampoo is best for dandruff?

How come when I scratch my dandruff it bleeds?

People should seek medical attention if they find any cracking or bleeding underneath what they believe to be dandruff.

How do you tell if you have lice or dandruff?

Dandruff will appear as white or yellow flakes of dry skin. Lice eggs, also known as nits, look like tiny yellow or white eggs in the shape of a teardrop. Adult lice are darker in color and about the size of a sesame seed. While both conditions can make your skin crawl, they are usually effectively treated at home.

How do I know if I have dry scalp or dandruff?

Here's our process. Both dandruff and dry scalp cause flakes and itchy skin on your scalp, which makes them challenging to distinguish. Oily, large flakes typically point to dandruff, while dry, smaller flakes signal dry scalp. If you have a dry, flaking scalp, you may suspect dandruff.

How often should I wash my hair?

For the average person, every other day, or every 2 to 3 days, without washing is generally fine. “There is no blanket recommendation. If hair is visibly oily, scalp is itching, or there's flaking due to dirt,” those are signs it's time to shampoo, Goh says.