Winter Dandruff

Each year, blizzards of white flakes send millions of men and women rushing to the drugstore — not to get snow shovels or sand — but to try to find relief from the embarrassing itch of dandruff. We all have to learn, though, not to stress out over it. Stress and anxiety, many dermatologists agree, can exacerbate an existing condition.
According to Diane Berson, M.D., a NYC-based dermatologist, "For someone who is already predisposed to developing dandruff, stress can definitely make the condition worse. We don't know why this is so, but, we do know, without question — that dermatological disorders, such as dandruff, are exacerbated by stress."
Dandruff is a mild inflammation of the scalp, and it occurs when the scalp sheds larger than normal amounts of dead skin cells at an excessive rate. Dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis, a more severe form of dandruff, can, according to many dermatologists, increase with stress — regardless of whether the stress is caused by a negative event, such as losing a job, or a positive one, such as getting married.
While dandruff can cause plenty of embarrassment despite routine shampooing, the good news is that the condition responds readily to treatment. And, with a little attention, it's easy to keep it under control, regardless of your stress level.
First line of defense — schedule a visit with your dermatologist who can prescribe a specific medication meant to treat dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis.
According to Dr. Berson, "If you're on a particular dandruff maintenance therapy to prevent flare-ups, and you know you're going to have an especially stressful week, you might want to step up the regimen, just in case."
In addition, dandruff sufferers may want to practice some anti-stress techniques to help keep dandruff flare-ups at bay. "Tapes, books and videos on relaxation may help," suggests Dr. Berson. "Yoga or medication may also help — even a long, hot bath."