White patches on the scalp, known as Seborrheic Dermatitis or dandruff, is an embarrassing condition to live with. The patches shed white flakes into the hair and onto clothing, which can detract from a person's appearance. The condition is treatable and can be managed.
White patches on the scalp can be caused by a build-up of hair care products. Change your brand of shampoo to help prevent white patches. To treat an already present case of dandruff, purchase a shampoo that contains salicylic acid. Use the shampoo with salicylic acid daily until the dandruff is under control, then use the salicylic acid shampoo every other wash. It is important to not leave hair products on the hair overnight because they can be drying to the scalp. If hair has been moussed, sprayed or gelled, wash it before going to bed.
For severe white patches, rub mineral oil into the spots at bedtime. Use a soft bristled toothbrush to gently massage in the oil. Cover the hair with a shower cap, and leave the oil in overnight. In the morning, shampoo the hair with the salicylic acid shampoo.
For extra treatment, brush the hair two or three times a day with a brush specially designed to eliminated dandruff. The bristles of the brushes are made from copper and although not scientifically proven to aid in dandruff control, they are worth using.