These foods could give you a flakey scalp this winter – your lunch will never be the same

Full-fat dairy foods – including cheese and cream – could increase dandruff in some individuals, said Philip Kingsley Trichologist Anabel Kingsley.

Wine and champagne are also flakey culprits, as well as spicy and sugary foods.

The foods increase the amount of cells being made by the body, and even just a little could cause scalps to flare up.

People eat more of these comfort foods during the cold winter season, said Kingsley.

“Certain foods that we seem to eat more of in winter can increase skin cell turnover, and therefore flaking on the scalp in susceptible individuals,” Kingsley told Express.co.uk.

“Foods like full-fat dairy products – cheese and cream – as well as white wine and champagne can worsen dandruff, so it can be helpful to avoid or limit these foods if you’re prone to a flaky scalp.

“A few clients will have a glass of white wine or a cheese plate and find their scalp flares the next day – the impact on the scalp environment can be that fast.”

Cheese is particularly good at instigating dandruff, she added.

At the other end of the scale, protein-rich foods are the best at reducing dandruff symptoms.

Hair needs at least 120g of protein for both breakfast and lunch to stay healthy, the trichologist said.

Eggs, fish, lean meats, poultry, low-fat cottage cheese and quinoa were all good choices.

Certain hair products may help to reduce symptoms, too, she claimed.

“Ferritin, which is stored iron, is very important,” said Kingsley.

“If hair doesn’t get enough ferritin, it can cause extra hair shedding. This is usually the case for females with heavy periods.

“Therefore, food sources high in iron such as red meat and green leafy vegetables are beneficial.”

About 11 million people in the UK have dandruff, according to estimates.