Tablets for dandruff and itchy scalp: review of drugs, instructions for use

• July 3, 2018
• Hair treatment
• Sofia Ermakova

Dandruff bothers many people. This is not just an aesthetic problem. Damage to the scalp is manifested by unpleasant itching and severe irritation. How to get rid of dandruff quickly and effectively? An integrated approach will help, which includes the use of medicated shampoos, taking pills and general fortification of the body.

How to get rid of dandruff with tablets

Most people suffering from dandruff limit themselves to buying shampoo with the appropriate mark, although it is necessary to look for the root causes, and not just eliminate the symptom. Various diseases provoke peeling: psoriasis, dry or oily seborrhea. In some cases, local therapy will be effective (there are shampoos with antibiotics), but sometimes it is necessary to use special tablets for dandruff and itchy scalp. The drugs are ineffective when used independently; they help only in complex treatment.

For therapy to be successful, it is necessary to eliminate the root cause of skin peeling and fight the underlying disease. A course of medications must be purchased taking into account the following recommendations:

1. Treatment should be aimed at restoring the natural microflora if the appearance of dandruff is a consequence of a pathogenic fungus.
2. It is necessary to normalize the activity of the sebaceous glands if the cause of itching is seborrheic dermatitis. The tablets should boost the patient’s skin immunity.

Risk factors

• Liver dysfunction.
• Excess ultraviolet radiation.
• Small wounds on the head.
• Exposure to chemicals.
• Rare or excessively frequent hair washing.
• Abuse of styling (both mechanical tools and chemicals).
• Coloring, lightening, perms.
• Circulatory disorders.
• Neoplasms.
• Predominance of sweets, fatty and smoked foods in the diet. Lack of cereals, fermented milk dishes, plant foods.
• Contact dermatitis.
• Food allergies.
• Insect bites. It is worth noting that maintaining hygiene does not protect against fleas or lice. These insects feel great on clean hair washed with high-quality shampoo, conditioner and lotion. Parasites are common causes of itching and dandruff on the head.

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How does dandruff remedy work?

Inexpensive anti-dandruff products available in pharmacies have a complex effect. The action of the drugs can be aimed at slowing down the proliferation of seborrheic fungus, stopping growth, enhancing the exfoliating effect and restoring nutrition to the scalp. Elimination of seborrheic fungus and destruction of its structure occurs due to the presence of sulfur, selenium disulfide, birch tar, climazone or ketoconazole in the composition of the products.

In addition, the tablets reduce the rate of cell formation due to zinc, which has a fungicidal and antiseptic effect. This stops hair loss and slows down the process of skin exfoliation. Components of pharmaceutical medications for dandruff and itching of the scalp reduce the number of “scales”. Nutrition of the scalp and hair is restored, beneficial substances relieve irritation, tighten pores and reduce the activity of the sebaceous glands. As a result, the fungus is left without food.

Types of dandruff

When your head itches, you may be talking about a pathology in which intense exfoliation of the epidermis occurs. Outwardly, it looks like scales or scaly particles that fill the hair and fall on clothes.

There are several types of dandruff.

1. Dry. The scales are finely plated, there are a lot of them. Sometimes the particles stick together and form crusts, which causes discomfort. The hair becomes thinner, breaks, and falls out. Seboreids—reddish spots—form on the skin. Itchy scalp and dandruff occur due to dryness of the epidermis; to combat it, you need not so much cosmetic moisturizers as timely treatment. The cause of dry dandruff is a small amount of secretion from the sebaceous glands. Also, the problem often lies in the high viscosity of this secretion or in low secretory activity.
2. Oily liquid. Seborrhea is characterized by the release of a liquid sebaceous secretion, which, like vegetable oil, envelops the hair at the roots. The dandruff plates with this type of seborrhea are large. They are clearly visible on oily strands. The disease is sometimes accompanied by impaired growth and hair loss, inflammation of the skin. Excessive dandruff contributes to clogging of the follicles. This leads to purulent inflammation of the bulbs, which is staphylococcal in nature. Complications include furunculosis, alopecia and other diseases.
3. Fatty thick. The consistency of the secretion is similar to dough; the scalp becomes excessively dense and inelastic. In this case, the sebaceous glands are enlarged. They are easily clogged with keratinized epithelium. The consequence is suppuration, after healing of which scars remain. This seborrhea causes pustular diseases.
4. Mixed. There are different types of dandruff on the head. This form of seborrhea is the most difficult to treat.

Antifungal tablets

Antifungal tablets for dandruff and itchy scalp include many chemical compounds that have a specific effect on the activity of pathogenic fungi. Such drugs are divided into several groups. They differ in chemical structure and clinical use. There is a difference in activity, but most often patients suffering from dermatological diseases are prescribed broad-spectrum drugs.

When using tablets for dandruff and itchy scalp, you must follow the doctor’s instructions, dosage and dosage regimen, which is prescribed to each patient purely individually. This is especially true in cases where a child is undergoing treatment and the drugs must be taken orally. If the dosage is violated or a dose is missed, there is no need to double the dosage. Premature termination of therapy or disruption of the regimen increases the likelihood of relapse.

Nystatin tablets for itching and dandruff

The product is taken as part of additional therapy to medicinal shampoo. Two Nystatin tablets should be crushed and dissolved in a glass of hot water. Shake the liquid several times. The product is applied to the skin immediately after washing your hair, you need to do a light massage, and it is not necessary to wash off “Nystatin”. Tablets can be used for obvious manifestations of dandruff, and also as a preventive measure.

As noted in the reviews, after the first use there may be a slight increase in the number of “scales”, but they will be smaller and drier. There is no need to worry about this, because this is the natural process of exfoliation of the fungus. The use of Nystatin should be abandoned if this effect persists after two or three uses.

Recommendations for using shampoo

• pay attention to whether your shampoo is suitable for daily use and how the manufacturer recommends using it;
• apply your cleanser with massaging movements for several minutes to be sure that all active substances have time to perform their functions;
• act carefully and do not scratch your head - this can easily damage the already irritated dermis;
• enhance the effect with soothing conditioners and masks that suit you to comprehensively eliminate the problem;
• Rinse your hair thoroughly with running water at a comfortable (never hot!) temperature.

Let's summarize. Shampoos help fight dandruff and can even eliminate it (along with all the unpleasant consequences, such as itching). But what kind of shampoos are these? They are different: pharmaceutical medicinal and for daily use. The former have a more intense effect, are sold in pharmacies and are used as a course. The latter are sold in regular stores, are suitable for daily hair washing and have a mild effect.

Anti-dandruff shampoos can be expensive branded ones or the most budget-friendly natural ones (for example, tar shampoo). There are products designed for a specific type of seborrhea. The main thing is to pay attention to the composition of the product: if possible, it should be without preservatives.

Nizoral: the most effective anti-dandruff remedy

Inexpensive anti-dandruff products at the pharmacy can also be effective, but it is better to give preference to quality medications in order to quickly get a positive result. Nizoral costs from 400 to 600 rubles, depending on the region and pharmacy chain. These tablets for dandruff and itchy scalp are considered the most effective; the drug is also available in the form of shampoo and cream. In tablet form it is recommended for severe symptoms.

The use of Nizoral anti-dandruff tablets will stop the development of complications and quickly improve the appearance of the scalp. A long-term noticeable effect occurs after one to three months of using the product. The medication has several side effects, which you should carefully read before using it.

From the central nervous system, headaches and dizziness, increased intracranial pressure, insomnia at night or drowsiness during the day are possible. When applied topically, itching, burning sensation and irritation at the site of application are sometimes observed. In rare cases, contact dermatitis occurs. From the digestive system, stool disorders, nausea and vomiting are possible, and hepatitis is rarely observed. Patients may experience decreased libido, irritability, and menstrual irregularities.

The dosage regimen is individually prescribed by the doctor. It is recommended to use the tablets until laboratory results indicate eradication of the pathogen. If you stop using Nizoral when there are visible improvements, but earlier than prescribed by the doctor, dandruff will reappear after some time.

Prevention of dandruff

• Using hygienic, nourishing and styling products for hair recommended by a trichologist.
• Refusal of spicy, fatty and sweet foods.
• Eating foods rich in magnesium, zinc, and vitamins.
• Drinking pure still water.
• Avoiding stress and overwork.
• Timely contact with specialists if there are signs of any diseases - both related and not directly related to hair. In particular, early diagnosis of hypothyroidism will help avoid many hair problems, including alopecia.

Treatment of total alopecia Alopecia, or baldness, is quite common in men, but it also occurs in women and children. There are several types - focal, nested, diffuse, scar, non-scar. The most severe form is considered to be total alopecia, which leads to complete hair loss. It progresses gradually, appearing first in small areas, and over time affecting more and more areas. The intensity of the flow can vary from two to three months to a year or longer. Hair loss due to stress The statement that all diseases are caused by nerves is not unfounded. Against the background of emotional stress, chemical processes occur in the body that negatively affect health. Caring for porous hair Why do some people have curls that shine in the sun, flutter beautifully in the wind and look like they came out of a salon procedure, while others don’t even with regular care? It's all about porosity. Baldness in the temples and back of the head in men In most cases, baldness in men begins in the temple area - the hair becomes short, vellus and sparse. If you contact a trichologist at this stage, you can stop the progression of alopecia and restore aesthetics. Causes of hair loss on the back of the head Modern research methods make it possible to most accurately determine the cause of baldness on the back of the head in men, assess the current condition of the hair and scalp, and select home care. Treatment of androgenic alopecia in men Every hair on our body grows from a follicle - the shell of the hair follicle, consisting of epithelium, sebaceous and sweat glands, blood vessels and nerve endings.

Ketoconazole tablets in the treatment of fungal diseases

When taken orally, the drug is effective against systemic and superficial mycoses (diseases caused by parasitic fungi). “Ketoconazole” is prescribed for fungal skin diseases, mycosis of the scalp, and prophylactically in case of reduced body resistance to pathogenic substances. Ketoconazole tablets for dandruff are taken once a day with meals. For adults, it is enough to take one tablet for two to eight weeks. After consulting with your doctor, you should additionally use shampoo with ketoconazole.

Local treatment of dandruff with drugs

Regular Aspirin can be used very successfully in the treatment of dandruff. This is one of the effective home recipes for treating flaky and itchy scalp. The main component of the tablets is salicylic acid, which is also found in many anti-dandruff shampoos. The benefit of the drug lies in its antimicrobial and antifungal properties.

To prepare a product from tablets for topical treatment of dandruff, you must:

• Grind two Aspirin tablets to a powder;
• add to shampoo (preferably use medicated shampoo);
• apply to hair and leave for about two minutes;
• rinse with plenty of warm water;
• repeat the procedure every other day until the symptoms disappear.

Final shampoo rating table

What do we see? That in neighboring positions there are products that are excellent in price and popularity, equally gaining a lot of positive reviews. Please note that the texture of hair and the condition of the scalp are different for everyone, so for some, a shampoo in, say, 8th place will be more suitable, and for others, in first place. Therefore, we wish you to find the ideal shampoo that is guaranteed to relieve you of such a nuisance as dandruff.

Treatment with vitamin preparations

One of the common causes of dandruff is a lack of vitamins, minerals and other beneficial elements in the body. To keep hair healthy and beautiful, B vitamins are especially useful. Vitamin D is useful, which can be obtained directly from a natural source - sunlight. In clear weather, you need to go outside for 10-15 minutes. There are no contraindications (except for some kind of protection against overheating). This way, the body will be able to independently synthesize vitamin D in the required quantities.

Other important elements can be obtained from pork, vegetables, peanuts, fish and seafood, nuts, fish oil, fruits (especially avocados). You can use special vitamin preparations that contain the entire complex of useful substances. Powerful multivitamin products are “Aevit”, “Pantovigar”, “Complivit”, “Perfectil”, “Merz”. Treatment of dandruff and itchy scalp will be successful only if the body has enough vitamins, minerals and amino acids.

What to do when a man has dandruff

First, they find out what caused the dandruff. If these are diseases of the gastrointestinal tract or endocrine system, you need to visit the appropriate doctor and choose treatment for them. But more often the reasons are more commonplace - improper care or dietary errors.

To begin with, change your shampoo and also give up styling products during treatment. Do not use cleansers or care products that contain alcohol. They only dry out the epidermis and make the problem even more serious. Also, do not comb the scalp, otherwise scratches and ulcers will appear, through which an infection can be introduced. If the itching is very severe, you can take antihistamines, but it is advisable to consult a doctor when choosing them.

Patient reviews of various products

Many who have encountered the problem of dandruff leave reviews of tablets and home remedies that can help with this problem. Patients talk about the effectiveness of rinsing with Aspirin, the ease of use and effectiveness of medicated shampoos, and taking anti-dandruff tablets orally (“Nizoral”, they say, helps quickly, and the effect lasts a long time). For some, pharmaceutical products helped only after a course of fortification. In the reviews, patients agree that it is imperative to first consult with a doctor, and only then begin treatment. In addition, it is necessary to strictly adhere to the dosage regimen and duration of therapy, not to end treatment as soon as the result appears, but to complete the full course to avoid relapses.

Fight dandruff

Since there are many risk factors, there may also be several treatment methods. Without the help of a specialist, it is difficult to determine the true cause, so it is impossible to choose adequate treatment on your own.

When the process is at the very beginning, the symptoms are mild. A properly selected shampoo can help get rid of dandruff. Sometimes, to combat the problem, it is enough to change the care product or abandon some styling compositions.

If such measures do not help eliminate dandruff and the disease develops, you need to consult a trichologist. The doctor will conduct an examination, find out the true cause of seborrhea and determine a treatment plan.

In each case, the course of therapy is individual. It can consist either exclusively of antifungal drugs, or include the intake of vitamin complexes, the use of external caring and medicinal compositions with zinc or sulfur.