Scalp conditions are typically linked to hair loss, and if not adequately managed, can result in permanent hair loss conditions. I doubt you’d want it.
If you think your scalp is OK, keep reading to discover why you need every bit of knowledge in this article. But, just so I can help you, the fact that you don’t have a scalp problem doesn’t mean you’re immune to getting one. Therefore sufficient information is required if you must live free from these conditions.
So, what is a scalp condition, how do we avoid or treat it? This post will attempt to address these issues.
Brief overview
Scalp conditions are defined as any abnormality in the normal function of the scalp that, if left untreated, can result in severe hair loss or may transform into other serious health concerns.
A variety of reasons causes different scalp diseases. While some of these disorders have similar causes, symptoms, and treatments, others are completely different. As a result, a thorough grasp of these diseases is essential. It will assist you in avoiding using the incorrect therapeutic step based on a faulty assumption.
Ringworms
Ringworm is perhaps one of the most popular scalp conditions. Ringworm is a fungal infection that affects the skin surface; scalp in this case. The worms are attracted to a type of protein called Keratin, which is available in only a few parts of the body; the scalp has been a dominant Keratin housing agent.
Their presence and multiplication create the ring-shaped rash with elevated red edges and circular patches on the scalp, which spreads inward from the circle’s borders.
Ringworms are highly contagious, and they spread easily by direct or indirect body contact.
Symptoms
Symptom includes itchiness, ring-like rash, scaly and cracked skin, hair loss, etc.
Prevention
- Keep clean and dry skin.
- Wear shoes that let air circulate your feet, and don’t go barefoot in public showers or locker rooms.
- Keep your nails short and clean.
- Change your socks and undergarments daily.
- Don’t share clothes, towels, or any personal items with victims.
- After pet play, wash your hands with soap and water.
Treatment
Treatment is primarily with antifungal medications, whether by using oral drugs like griseofulvin (Gris-PEG), terbinafine, and itraconazole or antifungal creams.
However, patients are encouraged to use both oral and topical treatment simultaneously, as this combination will deal with the fungi and the visible symptoms, facilitating recovery time.
Eczema
Eczema is a dermatological disorder that can show in several ways and often without notice. It’s a set of skin conditions that cause dry, red, itchy, and bumpy scalp, face, neck, back, and knees.
Eczema distorts the skin’s “barrier function,” which will expose the skin to infection and dryness. This condition exposes the scalp to additional infections and diseases.
Irritation, blister-like lumps on the skin, scaly and thick skin, swelling
Causes
Allergy is the primary cause of Eczema. When the body reacts or over-reacts to certain allergens, it produces some reaction on the skin. It is facilitated by;
Treatment options
Eczema so far has proven very difficult to completely treat or eliminate as there’s yet no known cure for this type of condition; hence victims may leave with it for life. However, victims can have access to symptom alleviating treatments. Also, victims are to take very stringent care to avoid triggers.
Head lice
Human blood is the only source of nutrition for head lice. These irritants cause little red spots on the neck, shoulders, and scalp.
While lice are difficult to see, their eggs, or nits, are easily spotted in the hair. The nits are dandruff-like globs that attach to the hair near the scalp and are tough to remove.
Cause
The primary cause is via head-to-head contact with infected patients.
Symptoms
Infestation requires direct head contact. For this reason, combs, clippers, and other items for the head should be used with caution.
Symptoms of this infestation include:
- Hair movement tickles.
- Head, body, or pubic lice.
- Visible lice eggs (nits) on the scalp.
- sores in the neck and shoulders
Treatment and prevention
- As a treatment measure, wash the scalp in hot water of at least 130°F (54°C) to kill lice.
- Antiparasitics such as medicated shampoos are used to treat
- However, when lice develop resistance to chemical treatment, carefully combing and removing nits, sometimes over many days, may be necessary.
Dandruff
Dandruff is a skin ailment that is not communicable and causes the scalp to peel off in patches. Or, to put it another way, it is a buildup of dead skin tissues that come off when you scratch them. Dandruff is not harmful, although it can be irritating due to the itch they create.
So far, no known vector has been discovered, and as a result, no permanent cure has been discovered. Treatments, on the other hand, had a significant impact on infection control.
Symptoms
- The skin on the scalp begins to peel off
- Itchy scalp
- Reddish or yellowish scale on the scalp
Causes
- Skin conditions like Eczema
- Dry skin
- oily skin, which attracts a fungus called Malassezia
- Incompatibility of some hair care products
- Oild stimulating Mormons like testosterone can cause dandruff because oil leads to inflammation.
Prevent and Treatment.
There’s no permanent cure for dandruff, but symptoms can be reduced using the following measures.
- Dandruff Shampoos: Shampoos containing ingredients likePyrithione zinc, coal tar, Salicylic acid, cab, help reduce help to deal with inflammation and flaking. They can reduce oil on the scalp as a preventive measure, which means inflammation is less likely to occur.
- Health lifestyles like stress management, a well-balanced diet, etc., can help prevent mitigating symptoms.
Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism is a condition where the thyroid gland doesn’t produce enough thyroid hormone. Prolonged hypothyroidism can affect the scalp and lead to hair loss. However, hair loss due to this condition is often temporary.
Cause:
The inability of the thyroid gland to produce thyroid hormone.
Symptoms
The primary symptom is that hair begins to shade off or become thin throughout the whole scalp
Treatment and prevention
- You should visit the physician at intervals for a thyroid panel check; TSH, free T4, free T3, and reverse T3 status
- Boost your intake of iron
- Always give attention to your stress level
- Use of thyroid medications
Alopecia Areata
Alopecia areata is another common scalp autoimmune skin disorder. This condition occurs when the immune system kills healthy hair cells, thereby preventing hair growth. The follicles may begin to decrease, causing lasting health loss. But only in severe circumstances where the illness is left untreated for too long. The early-stage does not cause permanent hair loss.
Causes
While the real cause is unknown, however, its impact on the scalp happens when the immune system attacks hair follicles, reducing them, slowing hair development, and stopping hair growth in severe cases.
Symptoms
The main symptom is that the hair on the scalp begins to fall out or become thin.
Other associated symptoms are nail pitting, itching of the scalp, anxiety, etc.
Prevention and treatment
Alopecia Areata cannot be prevented because its cause is unknown. However, hair loss symptoms can be mitigated by the use of hair stimulating treatment methods.
These methods include;
- The use of topical hair growth stimulators that can be applied directly to the scalp. Among them are Minoxidil, Anthralin, and Corticosteroid.
- Steroid injections: These synthetic hormones may help some individuals regrow hair. The patient will continue to lose hair.
- Oral immunosuppressants such as Cortisone can also assist. Cortisone causes side effects and should only be prescribed. Other oral medications may be used.
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