Why is my scalp so flaky?

Those white flakes are almost always dandruff, and the NHS is direct about the cause: it is not poor hygiene. Dandruff is usually a reaction to a yeast that lives naturally on everyone's skin - in some scalps the yeast irritates the skin and speeds up shedding, and the flakes show. Skin conditions like eczema do the same, and stress and cold weather make it worse, which is why winter is flake season. The treatment is specific and cheap: an anti-dandruff shampoo from a pharmacy, and the NHS names the ingredients to look for - zinc pyrithione or ketoconazole among them. Technique matters as much as the bottle: massage it into the scalp, leave it on for about 5 minutes before rinsing, and use it regularly rather than once. Different active ingredients suit different scalps, so if one type does nothing after a few weeks, switch type before giving up. MedlinePlus notes dandruff is usually a symptom of seborrhoeic dermatitis, which can also redden the skin around the eyebrows, nose, and ears - if your flaking travels with redness and itching in those spots, that is the same condition and the same shampoo family treats it. See a GP or pharmacist if regular anti-dandruff shampoo has not worked after a month, if the scalp is very red, weeping, or losing hair in patches, or if thick silvery scales appear - psoriasis looks similar and is treated differently. Pymander is a free AI doctor, 24/7 by text, that can help you pick the right aisle.