Is dandruff contagious?

No one wants to see those little white flakes on their shoulders. Many people are embarrassed by dandruff, and some may even worry about whether dandruff is contagious. Read on to learn more about this very common skin condition. 

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Dandruff is not infectious or contagious. You cannot catch this scalp condition or pass it along to someone else through person-to-person contact or even by sharing pillowcases. 

Dandruff is incredibly common and affects about half of the adult population worldwide. Dandruff can make your scalp feel dry and itchy, and you may notice white, oily flakes throughout your scalp and hair. It can also spread to your hairline, eyebrows, and behind your ears. Dandruff is related to another skin condition called seborrheic dermatitis (think “cradle cap” in newborns) (Tucker, 2021).

So what causes dandruff? Several factors are likely at play when it comes to this common condition. 

Everyone’s skin harbors a fungus called Malassezia, whether or not you have dandruff. The Malassezia fungus sometimes irritates the skin and causes scalp skin cells to clump and fall off. People with dandruff may be more sensitive to Malassezia than others (Tucker, 2021). 

But it’s not only fungus that can cause those pesky white flakes. Other factors that can trigger dandruff include oily skin, stress, and immune system health (Loing, 2017). As you can imagine, none of these factors are particularly contagious. If you are sensitive to skin fungus or have oily skin, you were likely born that way. 

While it may be embarrassing and annoying, dandruff is not dangerous. Aside from a flaking scalp and itching, the condition is typically harmless. Having dandruff does not predispose a person to develop other medical problems, and dandruff treatment options are readily available. 

The good news is there are effective dandruff treatment options available, including things like medicated shampoos and natural remedies. 

Medicated shampoos are a popular way to get rid of dandruff fast. You’ll find several anti-dandruff shampoos in your local drugstores or online. 

Most of the common active ingredients in over-the-counter dandruff shampoos have been shown to be effective against dandruff in clinical trials. These include zinc pyrithione (also called pyrithione zinc), selenium sulfide, ketoconazole, salicylic acid, coal tar, sulfur, and ciclopirox (Borda, 2015). 

Some people swear by home remedies and other natural treatments for flakes and itchiness. Recent studies suggest that coconut oil may help improve dandruff by moisturizing your scalp and changing the balance of organisms on your skin (Saxena, 2021).

Apple cider vinegar is another popular remedy that may have antifungal properties, which some think may help treat dandruff. However, there’s no scientific evidence for this (Yagnik, 2018).

Unfortunately, there is no way to prevent dandruff completely. However, changing some of your hair care hygiene habits may help prevent an itchy, flaky scalp.

Unclean hair does not cause dandruff. Quite the opposite—one of the causes of dandruff is shampooing your hair too often. If you have oily hair, you should shampoo your hair regularly to decrease the oil build-up. But you need to be careful not to over-shampoo, as this will strip your scalp of the oils it needs to be healthy, leaving you with a dry scalp. 

When using a dandruff shampoo, check the instructions on the bottle. Some products tell you to rinse them off immediately, while others need to be left on the scalp for a few minutes. Also, remember that it is important to use the treatment consistently—it may take several weeks to see results.

If you’ve tried over-the-counter options before for at least a month and haven’t seen results, your healthcare provider may be able to prescribe a stronger medicated shampoo. 

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How we reviewed this article

Every article on Health Guide goes through rigorous fact-checking by our team of medical reviewers. Our reviewers are trained medical professionals who ensure each article contains the most up-to-date information, and that medical details have been correctly interpreted by the writer.

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Current version

May 02, 2022

Written by

Chimene Richa, MD

Fact checked by

Steve Silvestro, MD

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About the medical reviewer

Steve Silvestro, MD, Ro

Dr. Steve Silvestro is a board-certified pediatrician and Associate Director, Clinical Content & Education at Ro.