• Is Dandruff Always Caused By A Fungus?
• Which Fungus Causes Dandruff?
• Is Dandruff A Fungus Or Caused By It?
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Do you often wake up with an itchy and uncomfortable scalp and don’t know the root cause of it? Often, this can be related to the haircare routine that you’re following to maintain your scalp on a daily basis, and can be related to your scalp’s hygiene. However, it can often be because of certain fungal activity in the scalp, making it oily and itchy.  So, is dandruff caused by fungus always? Is dandruff a fungus, in itself? Let’s dive into the details and find out how to know if dandruff is fungal in nature.

Is Dandruff Caused By A Fungus?

The sebaceous glands in our scalp produce sebum, a kind of oily fluid, that is responsible for supplying the scalp with natural moisture, and keeping it healthy and strong. However, at times, the sebum production becomes more than usual, causing the scalp to become oily and greasy in nature. When the scalp becomes like this, it begins to clog pores, and attract a lot of dirt and extra impurities, causing it to become an easy target for dandruff to form. This gives rise to these flaky white or yellow particles, causing fungal dandruff on your head. Dandruff can cause hair fall and other hair care issues, making it imperative that you deal with it as quickly as you can.

However, is dandruff a fungal infection? Is a fungus always responsible for those pesky flakes? We don’t think so. There are several other reasons that can cause dandruff in your scalp. Often dandruff can be caused by environmental factors like direct contact to sunlight, cold or dry air. Fungal dandruff on your head can also be caused by the kind of environment that it is exposed to, i.e. very dry or oily hair. Irritated or oily skin can lead to such conditions in the scalp. A dry scalp can also cause dandruff, if it’s not supplied with enough moisture. To nurture it well, make sure you massage your scalp with a coconut based oil. You can try the Coco Soul Extra Virgin Coconut Hair Oil that is enriched with herbal goodness to hydrate and nourish your tresses well. Not shampooing your hair often can also lead to fungal dandruff on your head, as it makes the hair dirty and unhygienic. You can shampoo your hair twice or thrice a week with the Coco Soul Chemical-free Shampoo, to keep it strong, healthy and germ-free. For intense hydration and nourishment, follow it up with the Coco Soul Organic Hair Conditioner after every hair wash. For an even better hair care experience, you can check out our full range of organic hair care products.

Which Fungus Causes Dandruff?

Is dandruff a fungal infection? Yes, if you have oily hair, there are chances that your dandruff is a fungal infection. If your hair is oily in nature, a fungus called Malassezia starts growing, due to  the excessive sebum production on your scalp. This fungus feeds on the hair’s natural oils and just leaves the oleic acid behind. The body reacts to this change by causing the cells to multiply at a rapid rate, which results in degeneration of the skin in your scalp, causing white flaky particles that appear as dandruff in your hair. You might often find your neckline covered in these white flakes.

Is Dandruff A Fungus or Caused By It?

While there’s no way to actually detect if dandruff is a fungal infection, it also depends a lot on the environment your scalp is creating. If you have oily or greasy hair, there are greater chances for fungus or yeast to thrive there. So, is dandruff a fungus? Not necessarily, but is it caused by one? It might be. In case you’re concerned about your hair’s condition, and if your dandruff is becoming difficult to treat, it’s better to consult a dermatologist to get a more informed opinion about your hair’s health.Here is a more detailed overview on the many other common causes of dandruff.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is dandruff a fungal infection or is it caused by a virus?
   

   “Is dandruff caused by a fungus?” This is one question we’re all always trying to answer. Dandruff is often caused by a fungus called Malassezia, which feeds on the natural oils in your hair, and leaves your scalp dry and itchy, causing dandruff. Moreover, dandruff is also traced back to bacteria, in some cases. However, there is no evidence that suggests viruses are the cause of a fungus.
   
   

2. Is dandruff a fungus or dead skin?

   Dandruff is nothing but the dead skin cells of your scalp, which degenerate into white flakes that fall off your head easily. But is dandruff caused by fungus? Yes, the fungus feasts on the natural oils in your hair, causing them to dry up the cells in your scalp, resulting in dead skin called dandruff.
   
   

3. Is dandruff a mould?

   No, dandruff itself is not a mould or a fungus, but it is caused due to fungal or bacterial activity. This fungus disrupts the natural biome of microorganisms living in your scalp, resulting in white or yellow flake-like particles, popularly known as dandruff.
   
   As you know, dandruff can easily form in your hair, if not taken care of. So, make sure you keep your hair clean and hygienic. Stay away from excess use of chemicals or heat styling, as it can cause further damage and dry up your scalp. Indulge in the goodness of coconuts and ayurveda by choosing Coco Soul and it’s collection of organic, vegan and cruelty-free hair care products, along with 100% sustainable packaging, designed to give your hair the best treatment that it deserves. Stay natural, stay healthy with the goodness of Coco Soul.