BY SANDRA GUY

It might seem like a minor irritant, but those little white flakes on your scalp, your collar and on your new in-office fashions — sure signs of dandruff — are crying out for a cure.

Dandruff can become a bigger distraction when it requires extra vigilance. After all, who wants to drag around a lint brush?

And it can be embarrassing and cause you to look unkempt at an important meeting.

The first step is to find the cause.

You can get help from a dermatologist. A common cause of dandruff is dry skin. And though it sounds counter-intuitive, you could be shampooing too infrequently. You can also stop using your existing shampoo to see if you’re allergic to it, especially if you suffer from scalp soreness or itchiness. And finally, you may have a medical condition that a doctor can diagnose, such as psoriasis or a scalp fungus.

You may want to experiment with different ingredients in shampoos, but it’s wise to restrict medicated shampoo use to a few times a week, experts say. And if nothing helps, the next step is to see a dermatologist or your doctor.

Shampoos such as Head & Shoulders and Selsun Blue contain selenium sulfide, an antifungal agent. Capex, Derma-Smoothe/FS and others use a corticosteroid to help control itching and flaking, for example.

So rest assured that, despite the inconvenience, your detective work will pay off.