# What Causes Dandruff and How to Treat It
Find out more about dandruff causes, how it works and some of the factors that could put you at risk of a flake flare-up
The cause of dandruff is a naturally-occurring microbe on the scalp called Malassezia Globosa.
You’ll find it on everybody’s scalp, although it will only cause dandruff in around 50% of people.
Here’s how it works:
Malassezia globosa** feeds on natural scalp oils** called sebum – this oil is what keeps your hair and scalp moisturized
As the sebum is broken down, it produces a by-product called oleic acid
1 in 2 people are sensitive to oleic acid and the scalp responds by becoming irritated
In response to the irritation, the scalp starts to become inflamed, red and itchy
The body signals to the brain to shed skin cells faster than usual – essentially, an attempt to shed the irritant. This shedding of skin is what causes visible flakes to appear on the scalp, often falling off onto your shoulders
Other factors that can cause or worsen dandruff
While the root cause of dandruff is always the same, there are certain factors that can exacerbate a problem or make it seem worse.
These include seasonal factors in summer and winter, external irritants like pollution and damage caused by our own actions such as too much heat-styling the hair.
Find out what could put you at risk of a dandruff flare-up:
- Dandruff in summer - how hot weather can aggravate dandruff
- How stress can aggravate dandruff
- Can using the wrong shampoo cause dandruff?
