What Could be Causing Dandruff?

What Causes Dandruff?

Dandruff can have various causes, ranging in severity from 'worrying' to 'very serious'. Finding the true cause means ruling out or confirming each possibility – in other words, diagnosis.

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let The Analyst™ find what's wrong
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Diagnosis is usually a complex process due to the sheer number of possible causes and related symptoms. In order to diagnose dandruff, we could:

Research the topic
Find a doctor with the time
Use a diagnostic computer system.

The process is the same, whichever method is used.

Step 1: List all Possible Causes

We begin by identifying the disease conditions which have "dandruff" as a symptom. Here are six possibilities:

Sjogren's Syndrome
Hypothyroidism
Psoriasis*
EFA Need
Liver Congestion
Vitamin B6 Need

* symptoms can be very similar

Step 2: Build a Symptom Checklist

We then identify all possible symptoms and risk factors of each possible cause, and check the ones that apply:

positive results from coffee enemas

low T3 free level

current birth control pill use

psoriasis

moderate eye discharge

forgetting dreams

water retention before menstruation

hypothyroidism

stress-induced arthritis

metallic taste in mouth

partial aspartame/neotame avoidance

dry nose

... and more than 110 others

Step 3: Rule Out or Confirm each Possible Cause

A differential diagnosis of your symptoms and risk factors finds the likely cause of dandruff:

Cause	Probability	Status
Hypothyroidism	98%	Confirm
EFA Need	62%	Possible
Vitamin B6 Need	19%	Unlikely
Sjogren's Syndrome	4%	Ruled out
Liver Congestion	0%	Ruled out
Psoriasis**	0%	Ruled out

* This is a simple example to illustrate the process

** Symptoms can be very similar

Arriving at a Correct Diagnosis

The Analyst™ is our online diagnosis tool that learns all about you through a straightforward process of multi-level questioning, providing diagnosis at the end.

In the Existing Skin Conditions section of the questionnaire, The Analyst™ will ask the following question about dandruff:

Do you have dandruff (Seborrheic Dermatitis)?

Possible responses:

→ No / don't know
→ Some
→ Significant
→ Severe

Based on your response to this question, which may indicate either dandruff or severe dandruff, The Analyst™ will consider possibilities such as:

EFA (Essential Fatty Acid) Requirement

A diet low in essential fatty acids can result in skin problems, such as dandruff.

Hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism can manifest as dry, flaky skin.

Liver Detoxification / Support Requirement

Psoriasis

Psoriasis is an inflammatory skin disease in which skin cells replicate at a rapid rate. Although the symptoms of psoriasis – silvery scales covering reddened areas of the scalp – appear similar to dandruff, psoriasis is very different. New skin cells are produced about 10 times faster than normal, but the rate at which old cells are shed is unchanged. Live cells then accumulate and form the thick patches covered with flaking skin.

Sjogren's Syndrome

Vitamin B6 Requirement

A vitamin B6 deficiency can cause dandruff.

Concerned or curious about your health? Try The Analyst™