Dandruff during pregnancy is often a result of hormonal changes too. Because of this, the hair care products you use may irritate the scalp. While pregnant, the body is more sensitive to skin changes(4), therefore it may be worth updating your hair care routine to accommodate these hormonal fluctuations.
The issue only comes up when there is excessive oil on your scalp, which is prime ground for the fungus to reproduce. There are various reasons for an increased presence of oil. Why Do Pregnant Women Develop Dandruff? The main culprit here is most likely the fluctuation in hormone levels.
Hair can become thicker
In pregnancy, this cycle changes. Many women experience their hair feeling thicker at around 15 weeks of pregnancy. This is not because each hair strand itself becomes thicker, but because the hair stays longer in the growing phase of its cycle, which means that less hair falls out than usual.
Dandruff may have several causes, including: Irritated, oily skin. Dry skin. A yeastlike fungus (malassezia) that feeds on oils on the scalps of most adults.
Your hormones control oil production
But when you're sensitive to oleic acid,sebum production can lead to dandruff. For some,dandruff can appear at times when hormones change, notably during puberty when you begin producing more oils than usual. But remember, dandruff is not caused by hormones alone.
Women with PCOS often face unique challenges with their skin. Issues like acne, acanthosis nigricans, skin tags, and abnormal hair growth are all very common and can be quite troublesome. 1 Many women also report having dry skin and dandruff from their PCOS as well.
The frequency of shampooing necessary to control dandruff varies from person to person. Some need to shampoo twice a week, others more frequently, even daily. Many people forget that the scalp as well as the hair needs to be shampooed.
If the body does not have enough water to reach the scalp, the scalp becomes dry, dandruff and other scalp conditions may occur, and hair follicles will not be nourished (water is the key source of minerals – iron, zinc, copper and calcium, which are the most important nutrients for hair), hair then becomes dull, dry ...
Treating Dandruff During Pregnancy
Dandruff during pregnancy is treatable. However, you should choose a special pregnancy-safe shampoo, such as those containing the following ingredients: Ketoconazole: An antifungal agent. Pyrithione zinc: Has antibacterial and antifungal properties.
No. Women all over the world wash their hair regularly throughout pregnancy, with no ill-effects on their babies. Some communities believe that an unborn baby's good fortune may be washed away if the mother washes her hair before the seventh month of pregnancy.
Your scalp. Pregnancy can cause you to suddenly experience oilier or drier hair than you're used to, as WTE user Surfermom2be discovered. “My dry scalp is so gross! My eyebrows even have flaky skin!” she wrote.
Dry skin, while annoying, is usually a normal part of pregnancy. But, if you take steps to care for your skin and add moisture back in, you should not have too many issues. If your dry skin continues, gets worse, or is bothersome be sure to talk to your healthcare provider.
Another classic old wives' tale states that if you have that wonderful 'pregnancy glow' and luscious locks you're likely having a boy. Whereas if you're experiencing greasy hair and regular breakouts you're carrying a girl. It's said this happens as a baby girl 'steals the mother's beauty'.
KEEPING YOUR SCALP HEALTHY
If you have dandruff, remember, to make anti-dandruff products the last step in your routine. Use a dry scalp shampoo to help prevent flakes and restore your scalp's natural moisture balance. Then, if you use conditioner, make sure it's an anti-dandruff conditioner.
Dandruff causes the scalp to flake and may cause visible flakes on clothing or in the hair. In some cases, it is due to a fungal or other scalp infection. Dry scalp, by contrast, occurs when the scalp does not produce or hold enough moisture.
dry scalp, it's easy to confuse one issue for the other. After all, they have some of the same symptoms, like flakiness. However, dandruff usually presents itself in large, oily flakes that are white or yellow—whereas a dry scalp may present itself in small, dry white flakes.
Therefore, the best dandruff remedy is to brush out the dead skin developed at a very early stage. If you are inconsistent in brushing your hair, you might experience dandruff over time. So, the best way to comb your hair with dandruff is to comb or brush it evenly throughout your hair.
Massage Your Scalp
Apply natural oils like coconut, almond, or jojoba with a dropper or hair color applicator directly to the scalp and lightly massage the oils into your head, says Mancuso. The soothing treatment will help break up flakes and soothe your scalp. Just be sure not to scratch your head or rub too hard.
Scalp 101
Not only does your scalp have a plethora of sweat glands, but it also has an abundance of sebaceous (oil) glands, which produce oily sebum. Have you ever scratched your scalp and noticed white, waxy buildup under your nails? That's sebum mixed with dead skin cells.
Consuming iron rich food can help in bringing relief from the restless leg syndrome. Fish, legumes, nuts, grains, dried fruits and whole grains are all rich sources of iron. Scalp issues like dandruff or having a flaky scalp are other signs that your body gives because of nutritional deficiencies.
Testosterone breaks down to produce DHT (Di-hydro-testosterone). Higher quantities of DHT lead to increased sebum production by hair follicles. Excessive sebum accumulates inside the scalp, which leads to dandruff and fungus infection.