There
is nothing worse than noticing white flakes on your favorite shirt,
when, um it's not snowing outside. But that dreaded dandruff is just one
of many scalp conditions that can be messing up your beauty game.
Thankfully, there's no need to suffer, modern medicine has the answer to
keep your scalp healthy and feeling good.
Psoriasis
Not to be confused with cirrhosis (liver damage), this condition affects about 1 to 2% of the general population.
And anyone can get it, at any age. Thought to be an autoimmune
condition where the cells in the top layer of skin are in overdrive, a
psoriasis rash is made up of pink scaly plaques with a characteristic
silvery scale.
And while it can affect any part of the body from head to toe
(including your nails), the scalp kind is one of the most difficult
types to treat, according to Dr. Seemal Desai, Clinical Assistant
Professor in the Department of Dermatology at the University of Texas
Southwestern Medical Center. Why? The build up of skin cells create
scaly, patches that can itch, hurt, crust up, and bleed. Even more
terrible: Trauma to the scalp, this means blow-drying and covering
grays, can make the situation worse.
The treatmentIt's
really about relieving symptoms, says Dr. Desai. Most doctors start
with steroids, while tougher situations may require injections called
biologics that help to suppress what's causing the flare ups. Your derm
may also suggest trying an excimer laser, which can work on individual
spots that are not responding to other therapies. But you should also
take in account your hair care routine, points out Desai. Not shampooing
your hair every day may lessen the amount of skin rashes, or a
therapeutic oil cream can also do wonders.
Folliculitis
This
is basically inflammation of the hair follicle. It can be caused by a
bacteria (most commonly a staph infection) or irritation from shaving,
heavy conditioners, potent hair dyes, and excessive sweating. It will
mostly likely appear as little pus bumps scattered throughout the scalp
that mimic acne, and can be sore.
The treatmentA
doctor suspecting folliculitis, may perform a culture to check for
bacteria. If a microbe is causing your scalp woes, a topical or oral
antibiotic will be the best treatment option. "If there isn't an
infectious agent present, then anti inflammatory medications, such as
steroid creams can be effective'" says Dr. Christine Ko, associate
professor of Dermatology and Pathology at Yale School of Medicine.
Seborrheic Dermatitis
Seb
derm, as most derms call it, is one of the most common scalp
conditions. Cradle cap in babies, parlays into red, itchy patches with
greasy scale or dandruff in an adult. It isn't contagious, but can be
embarrassing. Unfortunately, it often comes and goes with triggers such
as stress and seasonal changes — it's worse in winter and early spring.
And the face, ears, and chest can also be affected. Although no
definitive cause has been identified, a yeast (fungus) called malassezia
that is in the oil secretion on the skin, seems to be the most likely
culprit. Some predisposing factors include Parkinson's, depression,
diabetes, a weakened immune system, and obesity.
The treatmentDr.
Desai recommends treating seborrheic dermatitis, early and aggressively
to avoid complications such as hair loss. Often a prescription strength
anti-yeast shampoo called ketoconazole will do the trick. If flakes are
still falling, a topical steroid may be in order.
Alopecia/Hair Loss
"Hair loss
can be due to a number of different factors, including genetics,
medications, inflammation, hormonal abnormalities and hair fragility,"
says Ko. Regardless of the cause, it is super distressing. If you notice
hair breaking/shedding or bald spots in your scalp, it is important to
get evaluated by a health care provider immediately. They almost
certainly will run blood work to evaluate for anemia, vitamin
deficiency, thyroid abnormalities, hormone levels, and autoimmune
markers.
If blood
tests check out, other sources of stress such as the death of a loved
one, surgery, or a car accident can cause a massive shedding months
after the incident. Most of the time, it's just mother nature's way of
saying "you're not a kid anymore." Yes, as we linger in that hormonal
purgatory between childbearing age and menopause, estrogen levels
decrease, and often, so does our hair. It also may be the toll of years
of bleaching, dyeing, straightening, perming, and rocking tight, slicked
back topknots, pony tails, or braids just catching up to us. The issue
of hair loss if obviously complex and takes good medical attention to
figure out.
The treatmentYour
doctor is going to want a thorough physical done, so that any medical
problems detected can be treated. Underlying scalp conditions such as
seborrheic dermatitis or psoriasis should be addressed. In the case of
hormonal thinning, there are treatments such a Rogaine, a solution that
thickens existing hair, and spironolactone, a pill, which helps to block
the male hormones ravaging our system as we tread toward menopause.
Eating a well-balanced diet, filled with vitamins such as B12, folate,
and biotin are also useful when experiencing hair health woes. Lastly,
taking a break from over-processing your hair and rocking it in more
natural styles are definitely encouraged. In extreme cases, hair
transplant is an effective option.
Cysts
Like
any other organ, cysts can occur on the skin. The good news: Scalp
cysts are common, and easy to identify. They are usually marble or
grape sized, fluid-filled sacs that you can feel when your comb or brush
runs over it. For the most part, scalp cysts are mostly genetic,
benign, and no cause for concern. That being said, in some cases they
can get infected or irritated, causing pain and drainage.
The treatmentLeave it alone or have it surgically removed.
Ringworm
Also
called tinea capitis, it usually happens in little kids (thank
goodness!). But occasionally, adults get them, too. According to the
Mayo Clinic, there a few ways of contracting this fungus: Human to
human, animal to human (cats are a common source), and object to human
(clothing, towels, bedding/ linens, combs, and brushes). The resulting
rash is usually painful and scaly, sometimes even causing enlarged lymph
nodes. It also can cause bald spots, with broken hairs, and black dots.
The treatmentTaking an antifungal pill usually does the job. And treating or discarding infected sources can help to prevent re-infection.
Allergic Contact Dermatitis
Paraphenylenediamine (PPD) is a chemical that is widely used as a permanent hair dye, and guess what? It can wreak havoc on the skin.
It's also one of the most common causes of scalp allergic contact
dermatitis (ACD), with the chemicals/fragrances included in shampoos and
conditioners coming in right behind as a close second. ACD can cause
extreme itching and discomfort. The good thing is it's usually easy to
figure out the cause because of the timing between chemical contact and
rash.
The treatmentIdentifying
the cause, and eliminating it are the most important steps in treating
ACD. Using a topical steroid gel, foam, cream, or ointment for 2-3 weeks
will help decrease inflammation and get you back on track.
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