Mold in dreadlocks?!

[tdread]

I have had locs for 1 year and 8 months now. About 4 months ago i started to notice there were tiny greyish spots in some of my locks and when i tried to pick it out i thought it was either buildup or dandruf that got trapped in my locs. I have had dandruff problems and dry scalp for years now, way before i started my locs. I can manage it if i just rinse my hair, my dandruff isn't that bad but i have never been able to completely remove it in the past. Also when i scratch my scalp i usually get something that looks like dead skin under my finger nails, its only a tiny bit, dunno if that is normal or if i really have scalp issues.. When i scratch it does come off my scalp and i can get some of it out but some of it will get stuck in my dreadlock. I don't scratch because i have such an itchy scalp btw, just because i have this crazy feeling if i scratch my whole scalp all the dead skin will come off and it will be clean (which i know myself is ridiculous but i can't help myself sometimes)  

I doubted the spots in my locs was buildup, because i only wash my hair with african black soap, which is suppose to be a natural product that doesn't leave buildup. There were only like 2 times when i was out that i grabbed my moms shampoo. I don't retwist my locs, i just seperate them so i don't use any other products at all (not even oils.. i know i'm terrible at caring and keeping up with my hair.) When i take a shower i don't use a showercap, i just make sure i don't put my hair directly under the water but it does get a little damp/wet from the steam etc.



In the past month i started to notice a smell when i shake my dreads around after i get out of the shower. When i smell the locs directly i don't really smell anything but its only when i shake them around. It doesn't smell bad, but it also doesn't smell good. Its not a strong smell, just a neutral kind of oder. I also noticed the spots getting worse, and yesterday after i washed my hair and it was completely soaked, i squeezed real hard in some of my dreads and to my suprise a disgusting white/greyish goo came out that freaked me the hell out. I'm starting to think its mold.. Or could it really be build up eventho i only use black soap once every 2 weeks? How do i fix this? I fear the smell will get worse and the mold will only grow.. I love my locs and they look great, it would be a shame if they have to go already because i really like them but i won't keep on walking around with dreadlocks that have mold in them. 

Any tips on how i can fix this and clean my dreads out, products etc, or other things i should / shouldn't do?

All help is appreciated

[Dreadlocktruth]

Hey and welcome to the site. I don't think you have too much to worry about.

First of all, the white spots - these sound like they could simply be hair follicles. With dreads, hair which would normally just fall from our heads remains in the lock and you often see their ends sticking out with the little white dots which are the hair follicles at the end. It's not uncommon for people to freak out over them.

One of the ways that mold commonly forms is if your hair doesn't have time to dry fully between washes but, if you're washing every few weeks, it's unlikely that this is the problem. There are several things it could be but the best approach, I think, would be to try a deep clean. There's a recipe and instructions here if you scroll down a bit: dreadlocktruth.com/thread/662/wash-dreadlocks

You can also find a bit of advice on what to do about itchyness etc under the 'common problems' section of the FAQ.

[amandac]

I would say the same I wouldn't run and take them out or anything just try a good deep clean it probably is just some build up going on.Good luck and let us know how they do after u deep clean um.

[tdread]

Thanks for the replies! I already am a bit more relieved .I will try the deep cleanse with the products recommended in the post and see if it will do anything for me. I will give an update in this thread of the results.

Cheers!

[Dreadlocktruth]

Please do! And feel free to look around the forum and join in, we are a friendly bunch 🤗

[missyannie]

the ways to get mold are sleeping with wet hair or keeping them in a ponytail while wet. Basically keeping your hair damp for an extended period of time creates that environment for mold. If your just washing and normal air dry, you should be good. Someone correct me if I'm wrong lol.