The main symptom of dandruff, or seborrhoeic dermatitis of the scalp, is white flakes of skin on your scalp, and in your hair. Sometimes, the flakes are noticeable if they fall from your scalp and on to your shoulders. Your head may also feel tight, sore, or itchy. 

Seborrhoeic dermatitis of the scalp in adults
Signs of seborrhoeic dermatitis of the scalp in adults include red, flaky, greasy patches of skin.

Seborrhoeic dermatitis of the scalp in babies and children
Babies that are affected by seborrhoeic dermatitis of the scalp will usually show signs of the condition when they are between two weeks and six months of age.

The condition is most likely to occur when they are between 3-8 weeks old, but it often disappears within several weeks. However, sometimes seborrhoeic dermatitis of the scalp can take several months to clear up.

In infants, the most likely place for seborrhoeic dermatitis to occur is on the scalp. This is sometimes known as 'cradle cap'.

It is important to note that dandruff, or seborrhoeic dermatitis of the scalp, is not caused by poor hygiene. The exact cause is unknown, but there are a number of suggestions.
Not brushing your hair regularly may lead to dandruff because the dead skin cells are not able to shed properly.

Certain natural yeasts that are produced by your body may also cause dandruff to occur. The condition may develop if your body is sensitive to the yeast.

If this is the case, you may find that your dandruff improves during warmer months, and gets worse during colder months. This is because the UVA light from the sun counteracts the yeast.

There are various factors that need to be considered when treating dandruff, or seborrhoeic dermatitis of the scalp. These factors include:
- how old the patient is, and
- the severity of the condition.
The main aim when treating dandruff is to slow down the reproduction of skin cells, and counteract the yeast production that may be causing it.

Dandruff treatments
Shampoos and scalp preparations to help treat dandruff are available from Treat Discreet such as T-Gel Therapeutic Shampoo and Nizoral. However, seborrhoeic dermatitis can be controlled by using these but not cured.
Antifungal shampoos work by inhibiting the growth of the fungi and yeasts. Before using an antifungal shampoo, you should try to remove any scaly or crusty patches from your scalp. This will help to improve the effectiveness of the shampoo.
For men, anti-dandruff shampoo can also be applied to your beard if it is affected.
You can buy anti-dandruff and anti-fungal shampoo from Treat Discreet. They are usually classified according to which active ingredients they contain. Most anti-dandruff and anti-fungal products contain one or more of the ingredients listed below.
- Zinc pyrithione, which reduces the production of yeast.
- Selenium sulphide, which suppresses the natural oils produced from your scalp glands.
- Coal tar, which contains a natural anti-fungal agent. However, if you have coloured, or treated hair, you should take care when using a product containing coal tar because long-term use has been known to stain hair.
- Ketoconazole, which is often the most effective anti-fungal ingredient in reducing and shedding the scalp of cells. In severe cases of dandruff, it may work when other anti-dandruff shampoos have had little, or no, effect. Shampoos that contain ketoconazole can also be used on people of all ages.
- Salicylic acids help to shed your scalp of skin cells, rather than slow down their reproduction. However, this may make your scalp dryer than before you used the treatment. 

Seborrhoeic dermatitis of the scalp in adults
Depending on how severe your seborrhoeic dermatitis of the scalp is, your GP may prescribe additional treatments, such as steroid scalp applications. These will help to reduce inflammation.
In adults, dandruff often recurs following treatment, so further treatment may be required.

Seborrhoeic dermatitis of the scalp in babies
Seborrhoeic dermatitis in babies usually clears up on its own, although it may take a few weeks or, in some cases, months, to clear up completely.