Dandruff is a mysterious ailment. Mysterious, because there is no commonly agreed upon theory about what actually causes this condition. Dandruff is an itchy, annoying and persistent skin disorder of the scalp. A dark shirt and dandruff just simply don't go together! There is nothing more embarrassing than to have someone brush white flakes off your new black sweater or denim jacket.

Dandruff particles are visible flakes of skin that have been continuously shed from the scalp. It is normal to shed some dead skin flakes as the skin is constantly renewing itself. The new cells form in the lower layers. They are gradually pushed to the surface as more new cells form beneath them.

Dandruff is the most common condition affecting the scalp. The skin cells on the scalp are constantly renewing and the old cells get pushed to the surface by the new ones.

Getting Rid of Dandruff

• All-fruit diet with three meals a day of juicy fruits. Diet plays an important role in the dandruff treatment. To begin with, the patient should resort to an all-fruit diet for about five days and take three meals a day of juicy fruits. Avoid citrus fruits, bananas; tinned fruits Citrus fruits, bananas, dried, stewed, or tinned fruits should not be taken.

• If your dandruff is mild, try shampooing your hair twice a week using any shampoo labelled ‘frequent use, for dry hair’ (not an ordinary ‘antidandruff’ shampoo). This will remove the flakes that are being shed, and the moisturizer in the shampoo will protect the scalp.

• Always choose a mild shampoo with an anti-dandruff action that gently loosens scales and helps prevent new ones. Follow with a treatment lotion and massage into the scalp using the fingertips. The Dandruff treatment must be used regularly if it is to be effective.

• Then there are certain allopathic treatments for the cure of dandruff. By consulting a skin specialist or a physician you could take certain oral medicines and drugs which could help treat dandruff.

• Coal tar, a byproduct of the coal manufacturing process, helps conditions such as dandruff, seborrheic dermatitis and psoriasis by slowing cell turnover. But coal tar has an "earthy" smell, can give light-colored hair an orange tint and may make treated skin more sensitive to sunlight.

• Another effective dandruff treatment, which may come as a surprise, is by using a teaspoon of fresh lime juice for the last rinse, while washing the hair. This not only leaves the hair glowing but also removes stickiness and prevents dandruff.

• Using your fingertips (not nails), in a circular motion gently massage the mixture into the scalp.

• Place a plastic bag over your hair, secure with a hair clip or clothespin, and allow oil to remain on for at least 1/2 hour.

• Massage hair with coconut oil mixed with the juice of one lemon. Follow it with a hot towel treatment. The massage really boosts bloods circulation.

• Apply multani mitti (fuller's earth) but for no longer than 10 minutes, so that it comes off easily.

• Yogurt is recommended as a hair conditioner. Wash and rinse the hair, then rub yogurt into the scalp, and leave for 10-15 minutes. Rinse, then wash again, using as little shampoo as necessary. An infusion of thyme, nettle or sage with 2 tablespoons of vinegar can be used as a final rinse.