Skin conditions like dry skin, fungal infection, seborrheic dermatitis and psoriasis, can cause eyebrow dandruff. Read the following BeautiSecrets article to know about ways to treat eyebrow dandruff.
Did You Know?
Poor hair hygiene can aggravate symptoms of eyebrow dandruff. Hence, washing the hair regularly and keeping the scalp clean with an anti-dandruff shampoo is recommended.
The term dandruff is usually associated with the scalp but many times, it also affects the eyebrow. As we know, the human skin cells on the scalp and the eyebrows undergo a continuous renewal process in which the dead skin cells are driven to the top layer of the skin and eventually shed or sloughed away. However, in people affected with dandruff, there is disturbance in the cell renewal process. New cells are formed rapidly, causing dead skin cells to slough off at a faster rate. This excessive shedding of cells from the topmost layer of the skin is often visible in the form of white dust on the hair.
Causes
Flaky eyebrows can be extremely itchy and bad enough to affect your quality of sleep. Some reasons for eyebrow dandruff have been discussed below:
Malassezia Infections
Malassezia is a type of fungus present on the superficial layer of skin. The fungus resides on the scalp and the skin beneath the eyebrows. Although they are harmless, the fungus can interfere with the normal process of renewing and shedding of skin cells. The infection can accelerate the renewal of cells, causing excessive shedding of the top layer of the skin.
Dry Skin
When the skin underneath the eyebrow is excessively dry, one may notice white powdery flakes around the eyebrows. This is pretty common in winter, as the skin becomes excessively dry.
Seborrheic Dermatitis
This is an inflammatory skin condition that causes dead skin cells to generate faster. It’s a severe form of dandruff in which dead skin cells build up rapidly and the flakes are large and yellow in color. Moreover, these flakes are greasy or oily but not dry. That is why, dandruff resulting from seborrheic dermatitis is often referred to as oily dandruff.
Psoriasis
Large flakes of dry skin on the strands of eyebrow hair may indicate psoriasis. This is a chronic inflammatory condition in which the cell renewal process goes out of control, causing rapid growth of new skin cells. However, dead skin cells that are pushed on the top layer of the skin, aren’t removed at faster rate, causing them to build up rapidly on the surface of the skin. The affected area shows thick, red patches covered by flaky skin.
Home Remedies
Moisturizer
Applying an appropriate moisturizer is the best remedy to treat dandruff resulting from dry skin. During winter, dry air can rob the skin of essential moisture, making it dry, itchy and flaky. Applying skin-care products like vaseline can winter-proof your skin and prevent dandruff.
Warm Compress
Applying a cotton pad soaked in warm salted water on the eyebrows can also help alleviate symptoms of dandruff. When applying warm compress, make sure excess water is removed from the cotton pad and let it remain till it stays warm.
Anti-fungal Creams
Eyebrow dandruff due to malassezia infection can be treated with over-the-counter antifungal creams. Miconazole (Monistat) and clotrimazole (Lotrimin) are some of the topical agents that inhibit fungal growth and help get rid of malassezia infection.
Lemon Juice
Lemon juice has antifungal properties; hence its application may help in treating eyebrow dandruff that is fungal in origin. Soak a cotton ball in lemon juice and then apply it on the affected area. Let it remain for 20 minutes and then clean it with a dry cotton ball. Follow this skin-care routine everyday until the infection clears away.
Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV)
ACV with its antifungal activity can also be useful to treat eyebrow dandruff arising from fungal infections. Take a cotton ball and then saturate it with pure ACV and then dab it on the infected area. Leave it for 20 minutes and then wipe it off. Do this regularly, until the condition improves.
Amla Paste
Immerse 4 dried pieces of amla (gooseberry) in a glass of water and let it stay overnight. Now remove the seeds of the amla and combine them with small amount of water to make a thick paste. Apply this paste on the affected area and let it remain for sometime before finally rinsing it off.
Camphor Powder
Camphor is often added in anti-dandruff shampoo as it assists in treating dandruff. Make camphor paste by combining camphor powder with water. After applying the paste, let it stay for 30 minutes and then wash it off. Camphor provides a cooling effect, which works to reduce itchiness and irritation associated with eyebrow dandruff.
Avoid Eyebrow Makeup
Eyebrow makeup products can irritate the skin underneath the eyebrows and cause dandruff flare-ups, hence it’s advisable to avoid cosmetics completely.
Daily dietary intake also plays an important role in keeping a check on dandruff. Fungal overgrowth, often considered to be one of the causes of dandruff, has been linked to excess consumption of sugary foods. So limiting sugar intake can help reduce this fungus. Also, avoid oily products as they can aggravate dandruff. Follow a healthy diet that is a good source of antioxidants, omega-3s, zinc, and vitamin B to minimize the occurrence of dandruff.
On the whole, treatment will vary depending upon the underlying cause. Hence, identifying the cause is the key to effectively getting rid of eyebrow dandruff. Also, in case none of the home remedies provide any relief, contact a physician to know about prescription treatment that can help in resolving the dandruff problem.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is solely for educating the reader. It is not intended to be a substitute for the advice of a medical expert.
