Hats and Dandruff - Are They Related?

A good hat is undeniably stylish, but if you suffer from dandruff it could be making the problem worse. Find out why and what to do about it.

Dandruff is caused by the microbe, malassezia globosa. This microbe lives on all our heads, but about half of us are sensitive to its effects. This can lead to symptoms that include:

• Itchiness
• White flakes in the hair
• Red and irritated scalp

It’s not too difficult a problem to deal with, luckily.

A good dandruff shampoo will help control the cause of dandruff while easing its symptoms.

Unfortunately, a hat can make the problem worse.

Hats and dandruff

The problem with hats and dandruff has to do with the way your scalp works. It’s a fairly complex ecosystem, and as such is susceptible to external factors.

When you wear a hat you’re causing your head to heat up, as well as trapping moisture in the form of sweat.

This provides the ideal environment for malassezia to proliferate, and can therefore lead to dandruff flare-ups. In those already suffering from dandruff it can make the problem worse.

So what’s the fashion-minded dandruff sufferer to do?

Worry free hat usage

The first, and simplest thing to do is to take your hat off.

Giving your hair and scalp time to air will drastically reduce malassezia’s ability to cause problems, so going bare-headed every now and again is well worth it.

Next, make sure you’re using a shampoo designed to help keep you dandruff free.

Depending on how often you wear your hat, you may want to wash your hair a little more frequently. Not only will this help keep your dandruff under control, it will wash away any build-up caused by sweat.

That way, you can have your hat and wear it, too.