Sunday 30/November/2025 – 05:34 PM
Experts in Britain revealed an unexpected reason for the spread cortex Hair among millions of people, confirming that hard water rich in minerals may be a direct factor in the appearance of annoying flakes and dry scalp.
According to what was published by the British newspaper Daily Mail, experts confirmed that dandruff, which appears in the form of white or yellow scales and is accompanied by itching, is linked to areas where water supplies pass through rocks rich in calcium and magnesium, such as limestone and chalk. Data indicate that 6 out of every 10 Britons live in areas with hard water, most notably the East Midlands and the southeast of the country.
Dr. Alexander Godek, a consultant dermatologist in London, explained that many patients notice for the first time in their lives the appearance or worsening of dandruff after moving to areas with high-mineral water, saying: This water causes dryness of the scalp and severe itching, and may lead to the spread of crusts as a result of the accumulation of minerals.
New data shows that 71% of Londoners suffer from a flaky scalp, while the percentage drops to only about a third in freshwater regions such as Scotland and Northern Ireland. It is reported that almost half of the UK population may suffer from dandruff at some point in their lives.
Dandruff is caused by the Malassezia fungus
Experts explained that dandruff is usually caused by the Malassezia fungus, which feeds on scalp oils, while experts believe that mineral residues left behind by hard water irritate the skin and accelerate the spread of the fungus.
To reduce this, Dr. Godek recommends installing a shower head filter, in addition to using shampoos containing agents such as vitamin C, citric acid, or EDTA, to remove hard water deposits.
He pointed out that some wrong habits may exacerbate the problem, adding: Washing your hair with shampoo more than twice a week may dry out the scalp and increase dandruff.
Experts stressed the need to be aware that some cases of dandruff may be an indication of psoriasis, which is a chronic skin condition that requires specialized medical treatment, and may also be linked to psoriatic arthritis.
Dr. Godek concluded his advice by saying: If home treatments do not work or additional symptoms such as joint pain appear, you should consult a doctor immediately.
