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Dandruff is a common skin condition that causes excessive amounts of dead skin to flake from the scalp. People with dandruff experience an unusually fast rate of skin renewal and flaking, which causes the dead skin to fall onto the shoulders and neck in excessive amounts.Dandruff is characterized by small, loose flakes of dead skin on the scalp or trapped in the hair.

Its causes are:
- One possible cause of dandruff may be sensitivity to, or overgrowth of, a fungus present on the scalp.
- overactive oil glands on the scalp which cause an increase of the natural skin shedding process.
- Clogged oil glands on the scalp which can lead to over-drying and flaking of the skin.
- Poor diet, poor hygiene, genetic disposition, hormonal imbalances and infections may all possibly contribute to dandruff.
- Some external contributors to dandruff may include infrequent shampooing of the hair or inadequate hair rinsing, improper use of hair-coloring products, cold weather, dry environment and tight fitting hats.
- Dandruff may become worse with stress .

The main symptom of dandruff is the presence of flaky skin in and around the scalp area. The scales can vary in size from small dust-like particles to large, greasy, yellow flakes. Some cases of dandruff are accompanied by itching. Other symptoms are:
- Skin lesions
- Plaques over large area
- Greasy, oily areas of skin
- Plaques may include the scalp, eyebrows, nose, forehead, or ears
- Mild redness
- Hair loss may also be associated with this disease

In most cases, dandruff does not require an expert diagnosis. However, if the dandruff is severe and/or the scalp is irritated, an expert can perform a physical examination and, if necessary, order some tests to diagnose the cause of your condition.

They include:
- Psychological distress, low self esteem, embarrassment
- Secondary bacterial or fungal infections