It can be difficult to tell the difference between dry scalp and dandruff as these two scalp skin problems have common symptoms including itchy skin and unsightly white flakes dandruff is usually associated with a fungal or bacterial infection of the scalp whereas dry scalp is more likely to be caused by over shedding of a scalp that has been stripped of its natural oils treating dry scalp with anti dandruff shampoos wont help and may actually make the problem worse the best shamp