Itchy head and hair loss are sorts of a duo that come with certain hair conditions. While both can exist individually, they often occur simultaneously in certain skin conditions.
These are the conditions this article will discuss.
We understand how discomforting itchy the head or scalp can be. We talk more of a hair loss condition, which often places victims at disgrace points. We also understand why victims will want to seek urgent treatments for these conditions.
But a natural deception is that because some of these hair conditions exhibit similar symptoms, victims are prone to taking random medication. This self-medication approach is a problem that can lead to even more fatal health conditions.
It is not even enough to know what’s wrong with you. You’ll also want to know the level of the damage because any mediocre treatment can become ineffective, which will mean a waste of time, energy, and resources.
In this article, we’ll be discussing some prominent causes of this duo and how you can best treat them.
Ride along.
Cause of itchy scalp and hair loss
Hair loss in itself is not a problem. The American Academy of Dermatology says it’s typical to lose 50-100 hairs per day. It means that everyone experiences some level of hair loss per day.
However, Itchy scalp, crusty scalp, or severe hair loss are all causes of concern. Here are important examples of conditions that can make your head itch and lead to hair loss conditions.
Allergy
An itchy, dry, and flaky scalp could be a sign that you’re not thoroughly rinsing your shampoo out of your hair. It’s possible that leaving the shampoo on your scalp may have triggered the itchy condition. But much more, if these chemicals are left for long, they will affect the hair follicles and hair cell nourishment, which will lead to hair loss or hair-thin.
People who color their hair experience this. Para-phenylenediamine (PPD), a dye component commonly found in black hair dyes, is frequently a culprit.
You could be allergic to shampoo, conditioner, or other substance that comes into contact with your scalp. If that’s the case, you’ll probably have an itching rash on your scalp and everywhere else that the cream comes into contact with.
Stop using the substance that’s causing the reaction if you want to get rid of the itch. A board-certified dermatologist can assist you if you’re having trouble finding it.
Folliculitis
Folliculitis is a coming itchy and hair loss condition. It is an infection of the hair follicles. It appears like acne with tiny inflammatory rings around the hair follicle opening. The hair fiber may be present in the early stages of folliculitis. Still, hair generally falls out as the disease progresses. Severe folliculitis can permanently destroy hair follicles, producing bald patches.
Generally, folliculitis is frequently caused by a bacterial infection. Infection of the hair follicles by Staphylococcus aureus is prevalent. Aeruginosa, which thrives in unchlorinated water, causes “hot tub folliculitis.”
Treatment
Topical medications for mild folliculitis include the use of bacitracin and neomycin. More severe cases can be treated with antibiotics likes erythromycin.
Seborrhea dermatitis
Seborrheic dermatitis is a skin disorder that can cause infection and hair loss if it affects the scalp or other skin areas. Dermatitis creates scaly, greasy, inflammatory skin that itches and hurts.
The cause of this inflammatory illness is unknown. However, it appears to be genetic, and Caucasians are most susceptible, particularly those of Celtic heritage. Stress and persistent weariness can worsen seborrheic dermatitis. Hormonal fluctuations, such as puberty, can trigger it as well.
Androgen steroids may be a factor in seborrheic dermatitis. These glands begin to produce very rich sebum. Excess sebum encourages skin bacteria multiplication. As seborrheic dermatitis progresses, Pityrosporum ovale (also known as Malassezia furfur) yeast levels grow. Excess yeast growth causes discomfort and inflammation.
Although seborrheic dermatitis can cause yeast growth, it is not contagious. The yeast in seborrheic dermatitis derives from the patient’s skin. The difficulty with seborrheic dermatitis is that the yeasts multiply significantly faster than normal.
Treatments
Seborrheic dermatitis is a chronic disorder that requires constant care.
Seborrheic dermatitis has numerous treatments. Anti-dandruff shampoos are the simplest way to control skin growth and scaling. Several shampoos, each with its distinct activity, may be prescribed for alternating usage on different days.
You can get azole-based shampoos over the counter (like ketoconazole). Corticosteroid cream or lotion can cure inflammation immediately.
Ringworm
Scalp ringworm is a fungal infection of the scalp. Worms do not cause ringworm in the traditional sense. If you have ringworm on your scalp, you will likely have a red and extremely irritating rash.
Untreated ringworm will lead to hair loss. If severe, it can affect follicles and cause them to close up, leading to a permanent hair loss condition.
How to obtain relief
To get relief from ringworm, you must first have an appropriate diagnosis.
You’ll need to contact a doctor if you have ringworm on your scalp, as it requires prescription medicine to be treated.
However, the general cure for scalp ringworm is with prescriptive antifungal treatments.
Dandruff
Dandruff is another notable scalp ailment characterized by the appearance of skin flakes. It causes the head or scalp to itch and, if left untreated, can result in hair loss.
Many different conditions can cause dandruff, including seborrheic dermatitis, allergic responses, psoriasis, and eczema. The yeast Malassezia, which can be found on the scalp, contributes to the development of seborrheic dermatitis.
A person’s poor hygiene alone is not a contributing factor. Still, flakes may be more evident if you do not use shampoo or brush your hair regularly. Other factors, including a person’s age, the weather, stress levels, medical conditions, and the hair products they use, all contribute to the development of dandruff in some form.
Treatment
i. Home remedies
Here are some suggestions for lifestyle modifications and home treatments that may be beneficial:
- Coping with stress
- Preventing the use of items that contain harsh chemicals
- Brushing one’s hair regularly
- Consulting with a dermatologist to determine an appropriate scalp and hair-care product.
ii. Professional treatment
See a doctor if dandruff and itching are severe and persistent or if symptoms worsen. They may detect an underlying issue that requires therapy. Various over-the-counter treatments can help manage flaking and itching caused by mild dandruff.
Before using an anti-dandruff shampoo, people should thoroughly remove scaly or crusty spots from their scalp. To make the shampoo more potent, you should remove loose scales with a comb or brush. Take care not to irritate the issue by removing patches or plaques too quickly.
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