An unlikely place to find flaky skin is the eyebrow because we are used to tackling the scalp directly to get rid of dandruff. However, when the condition is chronic, it can spread to other parts of the body that have glands to secrete oil, especially the forehead and face area, inevitably affecting the eyebrows too.
A chronic condition of dandruff is called seborrheic dermatitis, which can occur among both adults and children. It leads to skin rashes, greasy skin, and whitish scales. In other words, it’s an itchy rash located on an individual’s scalp that also contains flaky scales. The causes are similar to eczema and psoriasis such as cold or dry environments, products disagreeable with the skin and allergies. The specific triggers with regards to dandruff are oil and yeast buildup and imbalance of the skin microbiome through certain products that irritate the skin.
The condition is recurring in people who suffer from it once. In order to get rid of the inflammation and reduce it temporarily, one option is an anti-inflammatory moisturizer such as sea buckthorn oil in moderation since it leads to oil accumulation. This does not address the cause but only deals with the symptoms. A topical antifungal cream is also used by some people. Medicated shampoo with ketoconazole, selenium sulfide, and coal tar are other products used to curb mild cases. These solutions are aimed at loosening the scales of the scalp or eyebrows and stopping the itching.
The fungus present inside the oil-secreting glands is called Malassezia, which is commonly found in dandruff. It is treated with anti-dandruff shampoo, moisturizers, and creams. However, if symptoms persist, consult a dermatologist.
A natural remedy to try beforehand is the tea tree oil, which is filled with antifungal properties to protect the scalp against the Malassezia fungus. A study indicated that people who used tea tree oil shampoo reduced dandruff. A tea tree oil with 5 percent strength can be combined with lotion or aloe gel and be applied on the area topically, including the eyebrows, almost every other day of the week. While the symptoms disappear slowly, you can reduce its usage to a few times per week.
Addressing the dandruff is not enough, the root cause, which is the yeast has to be dealt with first. Scrubbing and oiling only temporarily help the skin, but it could actually become worse over time. Antifungal and antimicrobial shampoos could be applied on the eyebrow, but make sure it does not enter the eyes.
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