Is Dandruff Contagious?

Dandruff isn’t contagious, and it can’t be spread between people. 

Although some cases of dandruff are associated with an overgrowth of Malassezia fungus, this scalp fungus isn’t contagious because it’s always present on your scalp. It usually doesn’t cause problems until it overgrows.

Many other non-contagious factors can contribute to the development of dandruff, such as dry skin, sensitivities to some hair care products, and common skin conditions like psoriasis.

Keep reading to learn more about the potential causes of dandruff and how it can be treated.

Dandruff is an extremely common scalp condition characterized by flaking skin and an itchy scalp. It usually causes white flakes or yellowish-white flakes in people with light skin tones and brown flakes in people with darker skin tones. These flakes may cling to your hair or fall onto your clothing.

Although usually not serious, some people with dandruff have itchiness, so frequent scratching and irritation can be symptoms of dandruff.

Dandruff is not a contagious condition. You can’t catch it from another person or spread it through the sharing of hair care products, combs, or brushes.

So if you were wondering, ‘can dandruff spread through a comb?’, you're safe. You also can’t spread dandruff to other parts of your body or other parts of your scalp by combing it.

That said, combing may cause you to slosh off flaking skin from your scalp and temporarily make dandruff more visible. These extra flakes of skin will likely go away the next time you wash your hair.

Some people assume that poor hygiene plays a role in the development of dandruff, but this is largely untrue. Sometimes, the underlying cause can be as simple as using the wrong hair products.

Here’s a closer look at what can cause dandruff (since dandruff can’t spread).

Seborrheic Dermatitis

Dandruff is often considered a mild form of seborrheic dermatitis, an inflammatory skin condition that can develop in many parts of your body that are rich in sebaceous glands. These glands produce sebum, an oil that protects your skin and helps it retain moisture. Parts of your body with a high density of sebaceous glands include your scalp, as well as your face, armpits, groin, and chest.

More severe seborrheic dermatitis can cause more intense itching than regular dandruff and results in other symptoms, such as redness, scaly patches of skin, and greasy skin.

People with seborrheic dermatitis often have an overgrowth of microbes called Malassezia yeasts. These yeasts are the most common type of fungus found on the human skin. They require fat molecules to survive and thrive in the oil-rich environment of your scalp. However, they aren’t contagious nor are they passed between people. 

Overgrowth of Malassezia yeasts may also play a role in the development of other skin conditions, such as psoriasis and atopic dermatitis, although its exact role remains controversial.

People who are immunodeficient are at a particular risk of developing seborrheic dermatitis, and by extension, dandruff.

Other Causes 

Some other skin conditions can also contribute to the development of flaking skin on your scalp. They include:

• Eczema: Eczema can cause itchy skin on the scalp that appears dry and inflamed. Seborrheic dermatitis is technically a type of eczema. Contact dermatitis is another type of eczema that can potentially cause dandruff. It develops when you come into contact with an irritating substance. 

• Ringworm (tinea capitis): Ringworm is a fungal infection that almost exclusively affects children. It can cause itchiness, scaling skin, or inflammation. The most common locations it causes symptoms are your arms, leg, and trunk. 

• Psoriasis: Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease that can cause patches of flaky and itchy skin. One of the most common places it develops includes your scalp.

• Hair care products: Another possible cause of dandruff is hair care products. You may have a sensitivity to certain hair care products that dry out your scalp and make you prone to dandruff.

• Dry scalp: Your scalp may be more prone to dryness when you’re exposed to dry and cold weather, which could lead to dandruff.

Dandruff is very common in people of all demographics and ages. 

Some of the risk factors for sebaceous dermatitis include:

• Being of the male sex

• Being over 50 years old

• Having increased oil production or oily skin

• Having certain underlying health conditions, such as:

• Parkinson’s disease

• Epilepsy

• Acne

• Rosacea

• Having conditions that cause immunodeficiency, such as:

  • HIV

  • Receiving an organ transplant

  • Lymphoma or other blood cancers

• Taking certain medications, such as:

  • Dopamine antagonists

  • Immunosuppressants

  • Lithium

• Being exposed to dry and cold weather

Dandruff isn’t a serious condition and can often be managed effectively with over-the-counter shampoos or home remedies.

Anti-Dandruff Shampoos

Anti-dandruff shampoos are formulated to improve your flaking, itching, and the overgrowth of yeast on your scalp. These shampoos often contain active ingredients to target a flaky scalp, such as:

• Zinc pyrithione: Zinc pyrithione has antifungal properties that can help inhibit the growth of yeast on your scalp.

• Selenium sulfide: Selenium sulfide is another ingredient that can reduce yeast overgrowth on your skin.

• Ketoconazole: Ketoconazole is an antifungal agent that targets Malassezia and other fungi on your scalp.

Hims dandruff detox shampoo, for instance, contains Zinc pyrithione to help prevent yeast overgrowth as well as argan oil and avocado oil to soothe your scalp and prevent dryness.

When using anti-dandruff shampoos, it’s important to follow the instructions on the bottle for maximum effectiveness. These shampoos often need to stay on your scalp for 5–10 minutes.

Medicated Shampoos

If you don’t respond to over-the-counter shampoos, your dermatologist may recommend medicated shampoos. These shampoos often contain higher concentrations of active ingredients and may include other ingredients like:

• Coal tar: Coal tar slows the growth of skin cells, reducing scaling and flaking. However, these shampoos are often considered a last resort because they can make your scalp more sensitive to the sun’s UV rays.

• Salicylic acid: Salicylic acid helps to remove dead skin cells from your scalp, preventing their buildup and promoting healthier skin.

Home Remedies

Some people may see improvement in their dandruff when applying home remedies such as essential oils to their scalp. Common home remedies for dandruff include:

• Apple cider vinegar

• Coconut oil

• Olive oil

• Lemon oil

• Tea tree oil

• Aloe vera

• Baking soda

Lifestyle Changes

Making certain lifestyle changes also can potentially help you avoid dandruff and maximize your chances of having healthy hair. Some changes you can make to address and help prevent dandruff include:

• Shampooing your hair regularly to help remove oil and dry skin

• Limiting your use of styling products that might contain harsh ingredients

• Eating a balanced diet and eating healthy foods like fruits

• Minimizing your stress levels

• Paying extra attention to keeping your scalp moist when in cold and dry weather

Dandruff is generally a mild condition, but it’s a good idea to seek medical advice from a dermatologist if you experience any of the following, as that might be a sign of a more serious condition:

• Severe itching or discomfort: If the itching on your scalp is severe or persistent, it may be a sign of an underlying scalp condition that may require medical treatment.

• Redness or swelling: Red, swollen, or painful areas on your scalp may indicate an infection or other serious skin condition.

• Hair loss: If you notice significant hair loss in addition to dandruff, it’s important to consult a dermatologist to determine the cause. Dandruff itself does not directly cause hair loss but frequent head scratching can damage hair follicles, leading to hair breakage and, in severe cases, temporary hair loss. Severe seborrheic dermatitis also can potentially cause inflammation that contributes to the development of hair loss.

Additionally, if anti-dandruff shampoo isn’t effective after several weeks, a dermatologist can provide you with stronger medications. 

Dandruff isn’t a contagious infection, meaning dandruff cannot spread. But some other types of scalp conditions can be passed between people, such as:

• Ringworm: Ringworm is a type of yeast infection that can develop in any part of your body. It most commonly occurs in children and often spreads through skin-to-skin contact.

• Head lice: Head lice are parasitic insects that live on your scalp and commonly cause itchiness.

• Mucormycosis: Mucormycosis is a rare fungal infection caused by a group of molds called mucormycetes. It’s most common in people with impaired immune systems.

• Impetigo: Impetigo is a common infection spread between children that causes red sores that burst. Impetigo can develop in many parts of your child's skin including their scalp.

Dandruff flakes often appear white or whitish yellow on light skin tones and brown on dark skin tones. While perhaps not thrilling to see on the shoulders of a black shirt, dandruff isn’t a contagious condition. 

Here is what to keep in mind about dandruff and its origins:

• Most often, dandruff is caused by an overgrowth of yeast that’s always found on your scalp. 

• Dandruff can often be successfully managed with anti-dandruff shampoos, but it’s a good idea to see your healthcare provider if these don’t work. 

• You can also help keep away dandruff by practicing good scalp hygiene. This includes washing your hair regularly, avoiding harsh hair products, lowering your stress levels, eating a balanced overall diet, and staying hydrated.

For more on dandruff and how to keep it at bay, check out our article on how to get rid of dandruff.