The treatments for dandruff are varied and have to be applied according to the cause of the condition. Sometimes, the solution involves changing lifestyle habits or hair products. It is often found that different people react differently to various treatments, and successful treatment for dandruff boils down to a process of trial and error until one finds the correct treatment for themselves.

Stress management
For dandruff caused by stress, it is important to control stress by making lifestyle changes like exercising, walking, yoga, or meditation.

Proper hair washing
Though shampooing the hair often can cause problems like dry scalp and hair, it is found that for dandruff caused by oil buildup on the scalp, it is good to shampoo the hair often. Shampoos remove excess oil from the hair, reducing dandruff.

Choice of hair products
The cause of dandruff formation could be a reaction to a hair washing or hair styling product. In this case, discontinuing the use of these products is all that is required.

Diet
For dandruff caused due to excess oil buildup, it is important to replace unhealthy oils in one’s diet with healthy monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs). These good fats help maintain skin and hair health and can be found in olive oil, olives, nuts, and avocados to name a few sources. Deficiency of vitamins can also affect scalp and hair health. So it is important to have a healthy and balanced diet. In severe cases, doctors may prescribe supplements to treat this hair problem.

Corticosteroids
In cases of severe cases of dandruff that do not respond to over-the-counter treatments, one should consult a doctor. Patients are prescribed corticosteroids to reduce dandruff in these cases.

Shampoos with selenium sulfide
Shampoos that contain the antifungal selenium sulfide help control itching, reduce the number of dandruff flakes, and control the yeast Pityrosporum ovale.

Shampoos with pyrithione zinc
Pyrithione zinc has antimicrobial and antifungal properties and is found to ease inflammation and itching.

Shampoos with salicylic acid
Salicylic acid is used to reduce scaling on the scalp and is often used in combination with other treatments.

Shampoos with ketoconazole
Ketoconazole is an antifungal agent used in over-the-counter dandruff remedies to inhibit fungus growth. It is also found to be a mild anti-inflammatory effect.

Shampoos with coal tar
Coal tar suppresses fungal growth and decreases inflammation and sebum production, which is why it is used in some anti-dandruff products.

Natural remedies
Some of the best remedies for dandruff are those found at home.

• Coconut oil has long been touted as a good home remedy for dandruff, owing to its antifungal and antimicrobial properties.
• Apple cider vinegar has malic acid that helps get rid of the extra skin cells on the scalp, and the acetic acid in it inhibits the bacteria and yeasts that create dandruff.
• Tea tree oil has well established antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory properties that help treat underlying skin conditions like eczema which lead to dandruff.
• Lemongrass and frankincense oils also help reduce dandruff.
• Unprocessed raw honey has antimicrobial properties which help fight dandruff and restore and maintain scalp and hair health.