Is It Dandruff or Dry Scalp?

No one wants to deal with dry, itchy skin, but experiencing it on your head can be especially bothersome. If flakes are falling from your hair, it's easy to assume you're dealing with dandruff, but dry scalp could also be the culprit.

Dandruff and dry scalp are often confused since they have some similar symptoms – especially those telltale flakes – but the root cause of each condition is different, according to Dr Noah Gratch, a dermatologist.

That means the best way to treat each one can vary, too. While dry scalp is often a symptom of external factors like harsh cleansers and shampoos or internal factors like eczema, dandruff is a different story, according to Dr Heather Woolery-Lloyd, a dermatologist specialising in skin of colour. Dandruff is a symptom of seborrhoeic dermatitis, “an inflammatory skin condition that can cause itching, burning, scaling, and flakes and scales on the scalp,” she explains.

Here, dermatologists explain how to tell the difference between dandruff and dry scalp, and the best ways to get relief – no matter which one you're dealing with.

Dandruff vs. dry scalp

When you're trying to work out whether you're dealing with dandruff or a dry scalp, the best place to start is by looking at the appearance of your scalp and considering your symptoms.

First, check whether you're experiencing flaking only on your scalp or if it's happening elsewhere too. “Dandruff can also affect the eyebrows, areas around the nostrils, ears and beard area,” says Dr Caroline Opene, a dermatologist who runs a skin of colour clinic. “So these are good clues that you may have seborrhoeic dermatitis.”

Next, consider what your scalp looks and feels like. If the flakes appear yellow, oily or large in size, you likely have dandruff, says Dr Gratch. However, if the flakes are small and white, or if you have dryness on other parts of your body, you're likely dealing with a dry scalp.

Inflammation of the scalp and itching are also telltale signs of dandruff, adds Dr Woolery-Lloyd, who notes that dandruff and associated symptoms may get worse with stress. “Dry scalp may feel tight and dry, but is not likely to have the symptoms listed above,” she explains.

What is dandruff?

Causes

“Dandruff is caused by an exaggerated inflammatory response to a common yeast (Malassezia) that grows on most people's skin,” says Dr Opene. This response can be exacerbated by excess oil production, which may be caused by hormones, stress or poor diet, adds Dr Gratch.

Symptoms

The visible symptoms of dandruff include flakes and scales on the scalp, says Dr Woolery-Lloyd. These flakes are often yellow or white, and the scalp may have some redness, adds Dr Opene, who notes that it may or may not be itchy.

What is dry scalp?

Causes

A dry scalp is caused by a lack of moisture and may be due to dry weather conditions, washing hair too frequently, product build-up, or using harsh shampoos or other hair products, explains Dr Gratch. Dryness of the scalp may also be due to undiagnosed atopic dermatitis (also known as eczema) or undiagnosed dandruff (seborrhoeic dermatitis).

Symptoms

Dr Gratch says the most common symptoms of dry scalp include dry hair, itchiness on the scalp and small white flakes on the scalp (as opposed to larger flakes or flakes that are more yellow in colour, which are associated with dandruff).

Treatment and prevention

Dandruff

Experts agree that frequent washing of hair (about every other day) is an excellent way to manage dandruff (as opposed to a dry scalp, where frequent washing may exacerbate your symptoms). This helps prevent excess oil build-up. Over-the-counter and prescription antifungal dandruff shampoos are especially helpful, says Dr Woolery-Lloyd. Try looking for ingredients like zinc pyrithione, selenium sulfide, ketoconazole or salicylic acid.

Hair type can influence treatment options for seborrhoeic dermatitis, says Dr Woolery-Lloyd. “For people with textured coily/curly hair, many of the over-the-counter and prescription shampoos can be very drying to the hair,” she says. In cases where frequent washing and dandruff shampoos are unsuitable, “we rely less on shampooing and may reach for topical anti-inflammatory medications to manage dandruff,” says Dr Opene. Your GP or dermatologist can help you determine the right course of treatment for you.

Dry scalp

“Some simple ways to treat dry scalp are staying hydrated, washing your hair less frequently, avoiding heat, and avoiding products with parabens, dyes and fragrances,” says Dr Gratch.

Once you rule out eczema or seborrhoeic dermatitis, Dr Opene suggests treating and preventing a dry scalp with moisturising shampoos and conditioners. “You can also add a scalp treatment after washing to lock in moisture,” she says.

Who’s most likely to get dandruff or a dry scalp?

Anyone can experience dandruff or a dry scalp, but some people are more likely to struggle with them than others. “Dandruff is generally seen in patients with a more oily scalp and is often due to a combination of excess oil, yeast and inflammation on the scalp,” explains Dr Jason Miller, a dermatologist. On the other hand, “dry scalp usually is seen in those with a lack of moisture or irritation of the scalp barrier,” he says.

While it's easy to associate anything that happens on your head with your hair, Dr Miller says both conditions are more related to the scalp itself than any specific hair type or texture. That said, he says, “some hair types may predispose to hair care practices that can lead to scalp irritation, potentially leading to dry scalp in some.”

When to see a doctor

Experts suggest booking a visit with your GP or dermatologist if you struggle to manage your scalp concerns with regular shampooing or over-the-counter treatments.

“Also, if you're really on the fence about which diagnosis you carry, it can be helpful to have your doctor take a look at your scalp, give you a diagnosis and come up with a treatment plan that works for you,” says Dr Opene.

You should also consult a doctor if you start to lose hair or have intense itching, burning or sores, adds Dr Gratch.