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Is scratching up dandruff detrimental to your hair health?

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delitefulmane

delitefulmane

Well-Known Member
Ok ladies, I hope this isn't a stupid question but I had to ask it before I let my sister do it again. I can remember anytime having dandruff in my head (permed or natural) my sister would always say "OOh your hair is dry!" And begin to scratch the flakes away. It felt good but I know that what seems to be good is not always the case. With that said, is scratching up dandruff harmful? My roomate mentioned..a LHCF member ...mentioned that she had read b4 that she saw a thread mentioning that it just redistricbutes bacteria into the scalp. How true is this?
 
I wanna know too.

My mom would "Loosen up" the flakes on my scalp when I was younger right before washing my hair and I always use a dedicated vent brush w/ balls on the bristles to massage/loosen up my scalp before I wash it.

Hell, I'm scratching it right now like crazy through my hair scarf because I KNOW tomorrow is wash day.
 
I never heard of this before. All I know is my grandmother use to scratch my sister's scalp until it became sore. At this time, her hair was NL. RIP my grandmother, but now my sister has BSL hair.
 
Now I love a good ole scalp scratching just like anyone else, but I think too much can be a bad thing, moreso for your scalp than your hair. Using the same comb as your relative/scratcher, scratching too often, or scratching too hard can irritate the scalp and leave it open for infection. I'm not a doctor but I think there's safer ways to do it, maybe with a (clean) larger tooth seamless comb and a gentler approach. I use to get the ole fashioned scratch with a tiny tooth comb and yes it does feel good. :drunk: I miss those....:sad:
 
I dont think it will hurt your hair at all. I would use a soft comb to scratch the scalp to make sure that you are not damaging your scalp.
 
I don't think anything is wrong with it. Actually I think it is good to exfoliate the scalp.

But, still I think it is more important to worry about the cause of the dandruff and solve that. I really don't see anything wrong with scratching it unless you are being too rough.
 
Scratching the scalp can lead to soreness. I think it's healthier to use baking soda mixed with shampoo or conditioner to exfoliate. If you absolutely must scratch, follow up with an application of tea tree oil, peppermint oil, Seabreeze, or some other antiseptic on the scalp.
 
Glamourous said:
I dont think it will hurt your hair at all. I would use a soft comb to scratch the scalp to make sure that you are not damaging your scalp.
Click to expand...


I agree. For some reason, I actually like ro scratch dandruff from my scalp.:perplexed Wierd, huh??:ohwell:
 
Yes it is detremental to your hair health. . dandruff is a type of skin fungus (bacteria). . :ohwell:. There are a couple types of dandruff one is from dry scalp, one is from oily scalp and another one some people just have and its something they have to keep control of. Scratching your scalp isnt' really a good idea just think about when you have an itch and you keep scratching it your skin gets red and or irritated thats the same thing with your scalp.

Here, this is what I read in Hype hair november/december 2007 pg 52:

COMMON HAIR MISTAKES

3. Not washing your hair enough!

We may all be guilty of washing our hair every 2 weeks but this is a no-no! Contrary to those believing that when your hair itches, it is growing... this is a myth and actually means that your hair root is inflamed from yeast. Hair gets daily build-up of oil and hair products which can cause excess dirt and yeast to collect on the scalp and hair. This can lead to a condition called, seborrheic dermatitis, which is the medical term for dandruff and is commonly referred to as a 'dry scalp.' However it is this 'yeasty' build-up that can cause inflammation of the hair root and lead to dry, itchy, flaky scalp, and excess daily hair shedding. you can reduce this ocncern by washing hair atleast once a week wiht a medicated shampoo (leave on for atleast 10 minutes) followed by your favorite moisturizing shampoo and conditioner. Rinse hair with the coldest water tolerable to seal the hair cuticle so hair will not be as dry. Use medicated shampoo until controlled then atleast once a month. You'll be happier to see less hair on your bathroom floor along with cleaner hair and scalp.
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pisceschica said:
Yes it is detremental to your hair health. . dandruff is a type of skin fungus (bacteria). . :ohwell:. There are a couple types of dandruff one is from dry scalp, one is from oily scalp and another one some people just have and its something they have to keep control of. Scratching your scalp isnt' really a good idea just think about when you have an itch and you keep scratching it your skin gets red and or irritated thats the same thing with your scalp.

Here, this is what I read in Hype hair november/december 2007 pg 52:
Click to expand...

OMG Thanx soo much pisceschica for this info!! I had no idea!! This is the info I have been waiting on!
 
My skin has never gotten red or irritated from scratching. Again its the comb and the amount of pressure that you use that will do that.

And co-wash my hair every weekday and I still have dandruff. So I know its not from not washing my hair.
 
shunta said:
I agree. For some reason, I actually like ro scratch dandruff from my scalp.:perplexed Wierd, huh??:ohwell:
Click to expand...

not weird, I swear one of my cousin's used to get off on it....:lachen::lachen::lachen:and I think we all did the glue thing...I have seborrheic dermatitis, I was guilty of the fine-toothed comb scratching, some areas would be scabbed up from scratching, and it would only itch more like crazy...the scabbed areas eventually turned into bald spots on my scalp. so the more I scratched, the more it itched, got irritated, sore and scabby. sulfur8 is my best friend, so is whole-head baggy. I honestly can say that I no longer have this prob. the bald spots have filled in as well
 
dandruffs are a way for the scalp too repair itself. Scractching the scalp irritates and damamges so... no girl. It's not a good thing.
 
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