Dandruff at any point in your life can be miserable and embarrassing to deal with. When you are pregnant, the last thing you want to deal with is trying to treat it using harsh chemicals or medication. The key to finding what natural dandruff remedy that will work for you is a matter of finding the cause. Sometimes if you did not have an issue before getting pregnant, than hormones may be playing the biggest factor. Luckily these simple natural home remedies make it easy for you to treat dandruff naturally during pregnancy.

Common causes outside of hormonal changes from pregnancy

One particularly common reason for dandruff, aside from dryness, is an abnormal reaction to a fungi that live on the scalp. Our bodies are covered in billions of symbiotic bacteria, and normally there is not issue. With dandruff however, there are times when the fungi are seen as an irritant to the skin and the body’s overreaction to them results in dandruff. The next most common reason is dermatitis caused by haircare products. Shampoos, conditioners, treatments, and styling products all have the potential to cause irritation to the scalp. During pregnancy, a woman’s body can be especially sensitive to things, even so much that products used previously without issue can become irritating. When it’s simple irritation, removing the irritant can be all that is required.

Determining the cause and choosing a treatment

A lot of people don’t bother going to the doctor over dandruff. Unless it is extremely severe they will simple choose and try different treatments off the shelf. During pregnancy however, regular visits are made and it is no real trouble to ask questions and voice concerns regarding dandruff during pregnancy. Many obstetricians will discuss what to avoid when treating dandruff during pregnancy and can help patients find natural remedies that don’t involve saturating your skin with man made chemicals. Doctors can also help pinpoint the most likely cause, and guide treatments more efficiently than just using the trial and error method of treatment. The following are some common causes and natural treatments that are safe to use while pregnant.

Sea salt scrubs and moisturizing oils

When the dandruff is being caused by dry skin, which is either due to the lack of proper fluid intake or hormones, the treatments are pretty simple. You can use a bit of course to fine ground sea salt in the shower, and follow it with some oil infused shampooing. Two to three tablespoons it often sufficient to gently exfoliate the scalp before moisturizing. Gently rub the salt through dry or lightly damp hair prior to washing. The salt can help clear out the flakes and smooth the scalp. You can add a variety of natural oils to your shampoo to help boost the saturation and moisturizing effects.

There are also a variety of organic moisturizing shampoos that are perfectly safe to use for dandruff during pregnancy and already have a combination of oils in them. For those who don’t want to buy new shampoo, you can simple add a few drops of something such as coconut or jojoba oil to the shampoo in your hand before lathering. Another benefit to using salt as the exfoliating agent is that is dissolves easily in warm water and washes away clean. For even moire moisturizing effects, some women will salt scrub, rinse, apply Aloe Vera directly to the scalp, let it sit for a few minutes, then shampoo out with an oil infused shampoo.

Another option in regards to oils is to use them as a leave in treatment

Instead of adding them to the shampooing phase, many women also apply the oil carefully to their scalp in the morning and then wash their hair at night. Coconut, olive oil, and jojoba oil are the three most common and easy to obtain oils to use. Simple massage just enough oil to cover the scalp, not saturate the hair, in the morning, and wash regularly in the evening. The oils help lock in the scalp’s moisture during the day and washing with a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner set helps prevent any issues with pores. Alternatively, using heavier oils, such as Vitamin E oil or flax seed oil on the scalp as an overnight treatment, with morning washes is another effective treatment option as well.

When the issue is more than just dry skin as the result of pregnancy hormones

For some women, the problem is not as simple as exfoliating and moisturizing. In cases where the body is having a reaction, either to the fungi or the products, the treatment can be a bit more complicated. The standard treatments for fungi include using ketoconazole shampoos, but most women want to or advised against using anti-fungal products for dandruff during pregnancy. Coal tar is another common treatment for more stubborn dandruff conditions, but it is another one that many women are advised against for dandruff during pregnancy, or sometimes even during nursing. The remaining treatments for fungal based dandruff that are considered natural include apple cider vinegar, tea tree oil, and selenium.

Apple cider vinegar:

To treat for dandruff during pregnancy, the scalp has to be soaked with apple cider vinegar and wrapped for about an hour before rinsing with a mix of apple cider vinegar and warm water. The best time to try the treatment is to do it before bed and then shower in the morning. Avoiding shampooing right after rinsing can help it have the most effect. For many women it can be a simple addition to their nightly routine that helps then safely and naturally cope with dandruff during pregnancy.

Tea tree oil:

Tea tree oil has been a part of dandruff treatment for decades. It can be found as a primary component in many organic dandruff formulas, as well as being available as a concentrate. Giving its strong scent and intense nature when concentrated, it is never advised for use to treat dandruff during pregnancy. It should also never be applied directly to the scalp. For dandruff control during pregnancy, using a good organic tea tree oil, or tea tree oil blend shampoo is the best option.

Selenium:

Selenium is found in a lot of over the counter dandruff shampoos and is considered natural by most standards, as it is a naturally occurring mineral. However, for those wanting to avoid harsh chemicals for treating their dandruff during pregnancy, it can be a bit more tricky to find it in a naturally organic formula. There are a few of the middle line, in regards to pricing, companies that do make organic shampoo blends. Often when you do find it, it will be combined with selenium, tea tree oil, and few other components as a pregnancy friendly dandruff treatment.

Sometime the treatment is not a matter of direct treatment

During pregnancy, nutrition is particularly vital to both you and your baby’s health. At times dandruff that crops up during pregnancy can be remedied by reducing sugary foods and ensuring you are getting enough biotin. Many prenatal vitamins are available with extra biotin, to help meet the needs for both mother and child. A well balanced diet that is rich in nutrients, including plenty of fresh greens, and a good vitamin supplement can be all that is needed to treat and prevent dandruff during pregnancy. Although, these are just basic suggestions, we’d like to hear your thoughts. Do you have any added advice, treatments, or dietary tricks that helped you to deal with your dandruff during pregnancy? Please feel free to comment below.