Different Conditions That Affects Your Scalp

There is no doubt that in order to have really healthy and strong hair, first, you should have a healthy scalp without any problems. In fact, there are many scalp conditions which can cause damage to your hair. Described below are some of the problematic scalp conditions which can cause damage to your hair and their treatments.

Scalp Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a skin condition which can affect different parts of your body.
It is usually seen to be long-lasting and it can affect your scalp too. Psoriasis, in general causes the skin to be itchy and dry. It manifests itself as a buildup of skin cells. These skin cells may crack and sometimes bleed too. About 50% of people with psoriasis tend to have it on their scalp.

Treatments to be considered for Scalp Psoriasis

Usually, doctors prescribe medications and special shampoos for scalp psoriasis which are to be directly applied on your scalp. They also give tablets to reduce the itching and inflammation usually associated with scalp psoriasis. Exposing your scalp to ultraviolet light, either natural or artificial, is also found to be effective to settle down the painful patches.

Dry Scalp

This may at first sound as a really simple condition which is very common. But, in fact, this is a rather serious problem because it causes your skin to form flakes, causes it to break and can make it severely itchy. Not only that, but it can also cause bacterial infection if you scratch your skin too much. This condition often surfaces as you get older and especially if you are exposed to dry climates. In order to avoid dry scalp, it is recommended to avoid using strong hair products which destroys your natural hair oils. Also, make sure you don’t wash your hair too often.

Treatments to be considered for Dry Scalp

As this is a very commonly observed condition, certain lifestyle habits are found to be the main culprit for this such as washing your hair too often and using strong chemical shampoos on your hair to clean them. Always make sure to get the opinion of your doctor what might be the best cleaning agents that suits your hair. On severe dryness of the scalp, medications may be used as a treatment option, after consulting your doctor.

Dandruff

Dandruff is a scalp condition in which the skin of your scalp forms small flakes and falls off your scalp to your shoulders. Usually, very dry or oily scalp skin causes it. Other reasons for dandruff include certain illnesses like Parkinson’s disease or HIV. Sometimes dandruff can also appear as a side effect of using certain shampoos and soap and also due to fungus infection on your scalp.

Treatments to be considered for Dandruff

Dandruff treatments usually depend on its cause. That is, if you are having dandruff due to the usage of certain shampoo, all you have to do is discontinue its usage. There are various dandruff shampoos in the market now which you can try to get rid of dandruff. If nothing seems to work, make sure to consult your doctor for more effective treatments.

Ringworm

Seeing the title don’t assume worms are involved in this condition. Actually, ringworm is a fungus which attacks your scalp or skin. Such an infection usually causes scaly, itchy, bald patches all over your head. This is a condition which is commonly seen in toddlers and children. Also, keep in mind that it is highly contagious in nature

Treatment options for Ringworm

Treatment of ringworm primarily consists of oral medications or creams which can be applied to the patient’s scalp. Some doctors may also prescribe certain shampoos and recommend hair rinses. This is a completely curable decease if proper treatment is taken but caution is observed to avoid reinfection.

Lice

These are tiny insects which feed on your blood and lives in your scalp and hair. Even though lice are not dangerous insects, they are very annoying and will make you itch very badly. Most people find this embarrassing . Not only that, they are contagious and tough to get rid off too.

Treatment options for Lice

The most common treatment for lice is repeated rinses using special shampoos which are available over-the-counter. These will help to kill them along with their eggs. If these don’t make your condition better, consult with a doctor who can prescribe you a higher-strength shampoo. You may be surprised to know that the itching of your scalp may persist even after you have killed them all.

Folliculitis

Follicles are the minute holes from which hair grows. When these follicles get irritated due to some fungal or bacterial infection, they get slightly inflamed. This condition is known as folliculitis. This inflammation manifests itself as small bumps around the follicles which are usually red or white in colour. This can get spread fast and form into crusty sores which are difficult to heal. In severe cases, folliculitis will cause scarring and hair loss.

Treatments to be considered for Folliculitis

Folliculitis is often treated with shampoos or medicated creams. In some cases, light therapy is also used. In very rare cases, the patient might need minor surgery.

Alopecia Areata

As we all know, our immune system is supposed to protect our body from virus and bacterial attacks. Instead of this when your immune system itself attacks your hair follicles Alopecia Areata occurs which leads to severe hair loss in patches.

Treatment for Alopecia Areata

It is a sad truth that there is no approved drug or cure for patients with this condition. Keep in mind that all medications available for this condition are helpful only to a certain extent and are not found to be 100% effective in curing it. Hair growth medications may work for a lucky few but even these cant prevent the formation of new patches. It is recommended to protect the exposed skin on the top of your head with scarves, hats or sunscreen whenever possible.

Seborrheic Dermatitis

This is a condition which causes stubborn dandruff and scaly skin patches on the more oily part of your body, like your upper chest, face and back. Even though it is not a very serious condition, it can be very itchy.

Treatments for Dermatitis

Being a long-term condition, we can only treat its symptoms. Various drugs, shampoos, and creams are found to be effective in controlling these symptoms.

Cradle Cap

This is a condition usually found in babies and is a type of seborrheic dermatitis. Even though it is not as itchy and painful like the actual seborrheic dermatitis, it really upsets you to see your baby’s head having crusty, thick, yellow scales, which are difficult to get rid off at first.

Treatment options for Cradle Cap

In most of the cases this condition goes away by itself. Washing your baby’s scalp with a very mild shampoo on a daily basis usually loosens it. Make sure to consult your baby’s doctor if it does not clear up within weeks or gets worse.