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What Causes Dark Dandruff?

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Posted on Wed, 15 Jun 2016
Question: Can dandruff be black? my daughter got lice a month ago. only saw 4 bugs. Got rid of them. been checking her hair non stop for a month. my hair too. I didnt find anything in my hair. no bugs or nits but now that Im freaked out i cant get it out of my head and find tiny tiny tiny black specks if i brushing my fingers through my hair. I have bad dandruff from using lice shampoo non stop. my scalp was cracked and bleeding for weeks and now its starting to heal. Can it be maybe flea dirt or black dandruff?
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Answered by Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Dandruff is sebum colored white to greyish white

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Black stuff is not dandruff. Generally dandruff is the color of the sebum produced by the sebaceous glands on the scalp.
I think it is the healing scalp that bled and gave the black particles in the hair. I suggest you not to comb hair deeper, do not scratch the scalp or comb for lice or nits.
Let the healing be complete till then you can just wash the hair with normal shampoo and conditioner. Once the healing is complete you can get evaluated.
Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Aparna Kohli
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Answered by
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Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2004

Answered : 2087 Questions

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What Causes Dark Dandruff?

Brief Answer: Dandruff is sebum colored white to greyish white Detailed Answer: Hi, Black stuff is not dandruff. Generally dandruff is the color of the sebum produced by the sebaceous glands on the scalp. I think it is the healing scalp that bled and gave the black particles in the hair. I suggest you not to comb hair deeper, do not scratch the scalp or comb for lice or nits. Let the healing be complete till then you can just wash the hair with normal shampoo and conditioner. Once the healing is complete you can get evaluated.