As the top dermatologist Rye, New York has to offer, Dr. Eric Treiber MD, of Treiber Dermatology, deals with a countless number of patients, both male and female. One common issue for men in recent years has been dandruff. Generally, having shorter, more frequently cut hair, men are almost 2 times as likely to have dandruff issues than women. Dr. Eric Treiber estimates that all men will experience full blown dandruff atleast once in life, and its difficult to escape.
Skin cells, including the ones at the scalp, are constantly falling off and are replaced by new ones. In the case of dandruff this cellular turnover occurs far more rapidly, and seemingly all at once a large amount of dead skin cells are shed at once. Dr. Eric Treiber likens it white snow flakes along the shoulder, or lint covering your peacoat, sometimes these skin flakes even get caught up in your eyebrows, lashes, beard, and within the ears.
Although they are unsightly and annoying dandruff is not a dangerous condition. They are not a sign of any sickness or disease, simply a product of cellular turnover. And despite myths pointing to the contrary, dandruff doesn’t cause or point out chances of baldness. Regardless, there are a number of treatment options, tips, and tricks available for dandruff.
Dr. Eric Treiber’s tips for dandruff treatment:
Use over the counter medicated shampoos, such as Selsun Blue & Head & Shoulders; and many others, with ingredients such as ketoconazole or selenium sulfide. Washing daily with these helps reduce dandruff, by removing yeast from the scalp which is a cause of dandruff. In fact more frequently you wash may help.
Use these shampoos anywhere you have hair, beard, eyebrows, chest, etc.
Apply hydrocortisone creams to the affected areas as they may help with the itching and associated redness.
Create a homemade solution: 1 part vinegar mixed with 3/4 parts water, and massage it into your head while you shower. Repeat 1-3 times a day, and for more severe dandruff, massage it into your head before bed and leave it in your scalp overnight.
For more severe cases, Dr. Eric Treiber recommends you contact Treiber Dermatology as an underlying skin issue may be causing the dandruff.
Skin Cancer on the Rise in Men
In recent years, Dr. Eric Treiber of Treiber Dermatology has seen a significant rise in skin cancer diagnoses in men, especially in the baby boomer generation of the early-50’s. Men born from 1945-1955 are twice as likely as their female counterparts to be diagnosed with skin cancer. To dermatologists, like Dr. Eric Treiber, stats like this are alarming. There are many reasons for the uptick;
Men tend to work outside more, in industries like farming or construction, thus more sun exposure.
Men are less likely to wear sunscreen; women’s skin care products often have sunscreen built in.
Men also play more sports and tend to take part in more outdoor physical activities like, fishing, jogging, golf, etc.
Men are less likely to check their own skin for spots or discolorations. And often men ignore these discoloration.
Men are far less educated on the dangers of sun exposure and take less precautions.
Dr. Eric Treiber recommends men make a few small lifestyle changes to help combat skin cancer issues.
Wear hats, sunglasses, and longer sleeves when in the sun.
Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen of atlas SPF 30, making sure to reapply every fe hours.
Check yourself once every week or month, for any spots, discolorations, moles, and make sure not to ignore anything that looks even a little out of the ordinary.
Pay attention to your family history, high-risk melanomas have a strong genetic component to them as well.
If you are a man or woman with any sort of spot or discoloration or mole on your body its better to be safe than sorry. Contact Dr. Eric Treiber and Treiber Dermatology today to get your next skin cancer screening.