What are the main signs and symptoms of dandruff?

    Written by:
    Nick Milazzo, Brady Holmer

    Fact-checked

    by:

    Mike Murray, James Gaylor
    Last Updated: May 16, 2025

    The main signs and symptoms of dandruff include skin flakes on the scalp and other areas, as well as an itchy scalp. Dandruff can occur independently or may indicate underlying health issues such as HIV/AIDS, neurological disorders, or congenital disorders.

    The main signs and symptoms of dandruff are:

    • Skin flakes on the scalp, hair, eyebrows, beard, or shoulders
    • Itchy scalp

    Dandruff can occur completely on its own, but sometimes is a symptom of other illnesses like HIV/AIDS, neurological disorders (e.g., Parkinson’s disease, tardive dyskinesia, epilepsy), hepatitis C, chronic alcoholic pancreatitis, and some congenital disorders like Down syndrome.[1]