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Is It Dandruff or Dry Scalp? Symptoms, Treatment, and More
Medically reviewed by Debra Sullivan, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., CNE, COI — Written by Stephanie Watson — Updated on March 7, 2019
Causes
See a doctor
Treatment
Outlook
Prevention
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Overview
If you have a dry, flaking scalp, you may suspect dandruff. But it could be a sign of dry scalp. Dandruff and dry scalp have the same main symptoms, which are falling flakes and an itchy scalp, but they are two different conditions.
In dry scalp, the skin gets irritated and flakes off. With dandruff, the cause is too much oil on the scalp. That excess oil causes skin cells to build up and then shed. Knowing which of these conditions you have can help you get the right treatment and banish those flakes for good.
