Certain risk factors that may contribute to dandruff:
- Severity increases during winters
- Yeast infection (Pityrosporum ovale), is an important cause of dandruff especially in people with low immunity (immuno-compromised) like AIDS patients.
- A familial predisposition may be seen in some cases.
- More common in infancy (first 2 months) and in elderly people.
- People with oily hair tend to have dandruff more often
- Common in puberty
- Diet deficient in vitamins especially vitamin B complex
- Other factors that make dandruff worse are:
- Excessive use of hairsprays and gels.
- Improper use of hair-coloring products or excessive use of electric hair curlers
- Cold weather and dry indoor heating.
- Tight fitting hats and scarves.
- Infrequent shampooing of the hair or inadequate rinsing.
- Stress and anxiety
- Drugs like Arsenic, Gold, Methyldopa, Cimetidine, Neuroleptics
- Neurological abnormalities like facial paralysis, polio, parkinsonism.