Creeping is going to continue to be an issue until the locks fully mature. If any of them get too big, you can always split it into two. Vigilance is key though, is there anyone that can help you groom the back of your head?
so here are three home formulas I know will clear up fungal build up:
The vodka rinse; mix 1 oz. 80-90 proof vodka to 7 oz. water and pour through hair. Let sit for about a minute and rise throughly.
Brew a strong peppermint tea and add the freshly squeezed juice of one lemon. Again let sit in hair for one to two minutes then rinse.
Finally, if you live near an Indian grocery check the shelves for neem or tulsi powder. Neem leaves come from the Indian gooseberry plant and is rich in antioxidants and antibacterial agents. Tulsi comes from a plant called "holy basil" that is more pungent then the basil we use in the west. Tulsi has strong anti-fungal and antimicrobial agents. Both are popular ayurvedic remedies for scalp and hair issues, you can use them together or individually. Essentially, you brew the powder like a tea and pour it over your head or you can mix a little bit of water with the powder to form a paste. You then apply it through your hair, let it sit a minute and then rinse.
The most common cause of dread mildew is when the hair hasn't been given enough time to air dry before sleeping on it. You also live in an area with a lot of humidity which is probably contributing to the problem. I second the advice about the apple cider vinegar and tea tree to get rid of the the build up you already have and maybe buying a microfiber towel to dry your hair quicker. Good luck!
This could be because of my age but I refer to my hair as locked or as locs because that is what I have been taught to call them.
For me, dreadlocks refer specifically to those that follow the teaching of Rastafari and live their lives according to those beliefs. I am not a Rasta nor do I pretend to be so the word "dreadlocks" is not one I choose to call my own. I understand that to many people there is no difference between "dreadlocks" or "locks" and people are free to call their hair whatever they like because it's their hair.
Labels of any kind are always a slippery slope because you ultimately cannot control other people's biases. I think referring to dreadlocked hair as "locks" started up in the early 90's when Black Americans and Black Europeans started to embrace the look. There was a very political push back from Rastafarians who felt insulted that non-rastas were co-opting their language without practicing their religion. So the term "locks" was created in an attempt to stay P.C. it was later adopted by the cosmetic industry as a marketing tool as are most things in America.
My mother cutely refers to my hair as "Reggae-style" or simply "Reggae" despite my many efforts to get her to call them something else.
To SE:
Sadhus refer to their hair as "jatta" I think.
What do your flakes look like? If they're small, white and loose with no odor then the the type of dandruff you have may be pityriasis capitis and is cause by the dead skin on the scalp shedding quicker then you can wash it away. This type of dandruff is commonly treated with over the counter dandruff shampoos* and regular acidic rinses like apple cider vinegar.
If your flakes are thick, greasy and yellow or off white then it may be seborrhea dermatitis which is caused by heavy product build up, especially if there is a musty smell in th hair that lingers even after washing. Using a clarifying rinse and staying away from heavy products is the best way to treat the scalp.
If you have been using some sort of medicated shampoo or rinse in your hair for more then 3 weeks without any result, you should really go to a dermatologist so they can see if you really do have dandruff or some other skin condition like psoriasis which is commonly mistaken for dandruff and has be treated with a prescription.
*Be careful with the dandruff shampoos, many of them will dry out your locks. Any of the rinses mentioned in the other responses would be good alternatives.
