Dandruff: The little flakes that steal confidence
Health & Science
By
Ryan Kerubo
| Nov 17, 2025
A grey flurry on your black shirt at a meeting, an itchy scalp during a date, hiding under a cap. You notice them or someone points them out and quickly you brush them off, but they keep coming back. For many people, this moment is both familiar and embarrassing.
Dandruff, those small white flakes from the scalp, might seem like a minor inconvenience, but it affects millions worldwide, often sneaking into conversations about hair care, confidence and hygiene.
Dandruff is the mildest form of a skin condition called seborrhoeic dermatitis. It happens when the scalp sheds its skin cells faster than usual, forming white or grey flakes that may look dry or slightly greasy.
A tiny yeast called Malassezia, the oil that lives naturally on the scalp and a person’s individual sensitivity work together to create the problem. When this yeast feeds on scalp oils and multiplies, it can irritate the skin, leading to itching and flaking.
According to the National Health Service (NHS), dandruff is “a common skin condition that is not harmful and cannot be caught from another person.”
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Globally, dandruff is far from rare. A recent meta-analysis published in Frontiers in Medicine found that seborrhoeic dermatitis affects about 4.4 per cent of the global population, though milder dandruff affects up to half of all adults at some point in their lives.
In Kenya, the Ministry of Health lists seborrhoeic dermatitis among common skin conditions seen in outpatient clinics, describing it as “an eczematous skin condition that can be managed with antifungal and anti-inflammatory treatments.”
While dandruff doesn’t cause serious health problems, it can affect self-esteem and social comfort. Fortunately, it is manageable with consistent care and the right products. Most people see results within weeks of using medicated shampoos containing active ingredients such as ketoconazole, zinc pyrithione or selenium sulphide.
According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), these ingredients work by reducing the yeast on the scalp and slowing down skin cell turnover. Dandruff can affect self-confidence, but knowing what it is and how to treat it makes it less of a mystery. It is common, usually easy to manage, and does not mean poor hygiene.
Here’s how to manage dandruff effectively:
- Use medicated shampoos correctly
Wash your hair regularly using a dandruff shampoo and allow it to stay on your scalp for about five minutes before rinsing. This gives the active ingredients time to work.
- Avoid harsh products and excessive oils
Hair sprays, gels or heavy oils can irritate the scalp or trap dead skin. Choose mild, fragrance-free products and rinse thoroughly after washing. Avoid tight hairstyles that pull or irritate the scalp.
- Keep the scalp balanced
Over-washing can strip away natural oils and worsen dryness, while under-washing can cause build-up. Aim for a washing routine that keeps your scalp clean but not overly dry.
- Manage stress and lifestyle factors
Stress and fatigue can trigger flare-ups by affecting hormone levels and immunity. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), good sleep, hydration and stress management contribute to better skin and scalp health.
- Seek medical advice if symptoms persist
If over-the-counter options fail, or flakes are thick, itchy, or accompanied by redness, a clinic visit or dermatologist review can help rule out other causes such as psoriasis, eczema or fungal infections, which may require stronger treatment.