Anyone know a frugal way to help control dandruff

**alotofgooddeals** · 01-01-2010, 10:09 PM

Okay we have done it all and it only controls the dandruff and does not completely get rid of it. DH and my two boys suffer from this..
I have tried everything..in regards to shampoos...and the shampoos are extremely expensive....and since i am on a frugal venture i simply cannot justify spending this money anymore..My son stated to me this evening that he needs more shampoo and I said to myself... all those people on frugal village are so smart I will run it by them.. i have tried vinegar and baking soda combined and this does help but was wondering if there was something else someone could recommend.

Thanks!

**madhen** · 01-01-2010, 10:14 PM

The first thing is to find out what type of dandruff you all have. Is it plain old dandruff, seborrheic dermatitis, possibly psoriasis? Different conditions, different treatments. Have you ever been to the doctor about it?

The second thing is to tell us what you've tried already, so we don't give you a bunch of things to try that you've already done.

**alotofgooddeals** · 01-01-2010, 10:23 PM

and the only thing naturally that we have tried is the vinegar and the baking soda....

We use selson blue and it controls it pretty well...however at 6.99 a bottle..

**madhen** · 01-01-2010, 10:34 PM

I have heard that massaging plain yogurt into your scalp and letting it sit for 10-15 mins helps. Of course, that might be just as expensive as the shampoos.

Vitamin A (taken as a pill) is also reported to help.

Maybe someone who has actually tried these methods can weigh in.

**alotofgooddeals** · 01-01-2010, 10:40 PM

it probably wouldn't be that expensive especially since i just purchased 40 coupons off of ebay for the chikobi greek yogurt....
$1 off any and they have some for .99 so it will be free....
Shaws is where I go....

Thanks for the info and I will have to try it...

**frugalwarrior2** · 01-01-2010, 11:37 PM

Dh uses Lauders or Landers shampoo from the dollar store. It smells but they all do. He had to use it alot and then less as he got ahead of it. He has seborreah (sp.). Its like adult cradle cap. It results from oily build up. Sorry not sure on the name. i went and looked but we are out. He hasn't had to use it in quite awhile.

**ladykemma2** · 01-02-2010, 05:41 AM

i had seborrheic dermatitis. past tense.

go buy the large economy size bottle of suave aloe and water lily conditioner.

this is now his shampoo. scrub his head, especially above the ears with a considerable amount of the conditioner. SCRUB AND USE A LOT. rinse well.

once a week cheap suave shampoo to remove conditioner buildup.

if the dandruff is fungal in nature, will have to use nizoral for a week first to kill the fungus. is his head maddeningly itchy?

**Grainlady** · 01-02-2010, 07:22 AM

The sad news is, there is no "official" cure for dandruff.

Dandruff is often a sign of a food allergy or a poor diet. Since you have 3 members of your family all showing the same symptoms, could there be an allergy to dairy products that is causing it?

How's the diet in general? "Deficiencies of B Complex vitamins, essential fatty acids and selenium can also contribute to dandruff, as can excess sugar and refined carbohydrate consumption."

Try eliminating sugar and refined carbs from white flour, and include more whole and unrefined foods in the diet. Choose whole grains, rather than highly-processed ones.

Increase the "good fats", rich in omega-3, in your diet and eliminate the trans fatty acids found in "bad fats".

Add flaxmeal to your home baked goods and smoothies. Flaxmeal is best used freshly-made. Purchase the whole seed and mill your own in a coffee/spice mill. I'd suggest the lighter colored ones because the lighter meal is more eye-appealing and blends in well in foods. I mill 1-cup of flaxmeal every few days and keep it in the freezer. I add it to our morning smoothie and all baked goods.

Include foods high in omega-3 fatty acids in your diet:

-salmon/albacore tuna (caution: watch the number and size of servings of tuna each week due to mercury)
-eggs
-walnuts
-wheat germ

**pop goes the weasel** · 01-02-2010, 09:56 AM

I used olive oil, not frugal but Ionly used it once. I put it on and left it sit for an hour and then washed it out. Ihaven't needed it since so it mustnot have been as bad as Ithought. Butit got rid of it.

**alotofgooddeals** · 01-02-2010, 10:37 AM

two sons have a slight milk allergy however it doesn't stop them from eating dairy...but that could be a reason for the dandruff... Dh however doesn't have a milk allergy however his dandruff is not nearly as bad as the two boys....

Thanks for your help....

**shortstack** · 01-02-2010, 10:51 AM

If it is due to an allergy I would suggest Hydrocortisone on the especially bad patches to help it heal. Keep in mind that diet could be the source but it could also be something in your environment causing it such as a common chemical. Are you sure it is dandruff? There are lots of conditions that cause the scalp to flake.

Have you tried witch hazel?
http://www.ehow.com/how_2127043_trea...tch-hazel.html

I have been round and round with allergies with my daughter. She has been to allergists and dermatologists since she was 2 and has been through a huge battery of tests, we've also gone through various diets, yet they have still not found what she is allergic to. She is now 8 and we are moving on to some more adult centered tests to see if perhaps it's some sort of common chemicals she is allergic to. All of this being said to tell you that I know where you are coming from

**grneyegrl** · 01-02-2010, 11:48 AM

i use tea tree oil and it works pretty good...any cheap shampoo and about 8 to 10 drops.. just look on line for the exact amount..

**shoiji** · 01-02-2010, 12:30 PM

I have also heard that many dandruff shampoos really just make the dandruff worse. One that does actually help is Neutrogenas shampoo. Even though it is expensive, you should only use it a couple of times then stop.

I used to have a really itchy scalp, with dark hair it equalled dandruff. The Neutrogena shampoo helped. Diet is something you definately want to look into. I have taken out nightshades and my scalp and skin is much better.

Another way to figure out what type of allergy is to see if anyone also has seasonal allergies. Many times if you know what you are allergic to you can figure out what types of foods you may also be sensitive to.

Tea tree oil also works. Just add a couple of drops in the shampoo and shake well. Make sure to buy good organic tea tree oil. It may seem expensive but there are many other uses for it.

**hotprincesscm** · 01-02-2010, 12:48 PM

I am a hair dresser! Some dandruffs are caused by a bacterial infection of the scalp unless cured you will keep reinfecting yourself, other dandruff is caused by dry scalp. Try tea tree shampoos, expensive but will work, paul mitchell makes a good one, I use that myself, if not buy the tea tree oil and put it in regular shampoo and your conditioner, let it sit on your head a few minutes before rinsing it off...Don't combine the baking soda and vinegar. Try plain apple cider vinegar by itself. Shampoo your hair, rinse, apply the vinegar, let sit a few minutes then apply conditioner and rinse. Dandruff shampoos in stores will have a tendency to make it worse. Dandruff believe it or not is oily on the scalp, the dandruff shampoos actually try and dry that out, making your scalp dryer and itchier and can cause more flaking! Hope this helps some.

**Trishagirl** · 01-02-2010, 12:56 PM

I heard that if you put and egg whites and 1 cup of mayonaise mix together they make a great conditioner for your hair and scalp might get rid of dandruff also. Also beer is good for the hair. Helps it shine. FYI I heard about the vinegar but not the witch hazel I have some in the bathroom. Hmmmm have to use it on dh's head!