Cures For Common Hair Problems
A number of conditions can
affect the human scalp causing hair loss problems, dry or flaking
scalp, itching, and lesions. Most of these dry thinning hair problems
or outbreaks of inflammation can be treated by a change in hair care
habits,
with over-the-counter remedies, or by consulting your hair care professional.
Specific Problems, Cures, and Prevention
Below
you will find brief descriptions of some of the most common problems
affecting the hair and scalp, their symptoms, effects, and possible
ways to address the issue. Although many of these conditions can be
successfully treated by the individual, be aware that there are times
when the assistance of a dermatologist or general practitioner may
become necessary.
DANDRUFF
Dandruff, the excessive flaking of
dead skin cells from the scalp, can be a problem in its own right or a
symptom of seborrheic dermatitis, a fungal infection, or even head
lice. If the white flakes on the shoulders of your clothing do not
disappear after using a special shampoo like Head and Shoulders, you
may need to reevaluate the problem.
Although
erroneously believed by many to be caused by dry scalp, heavy dandruff
actually results when a naturally occurring fungus on the scalp,
Malassezia furfur, grows out of control and disrupts the production of
new cells. Because the fungus likes the oil produced by the skin,
people who have oily scalps are much more likely to suffer from
dandruff.
In milder cases of dandruff the cause may be
over-active sebaceous (oil) glands, food allergies, a soap or shampoo
with too much alkaline, a yeast infection, stress, or even a genetic
predisposition for dandruff. Normally a dandruff remedy is nothing more
than a specially formulated shampoo. Start with the mild formulas like
Head and Shoulders since stronger shampoos like Neutrogena T-Gel
contain coal tar and are formulated for more aggressive scalp
conditions and should not be used as a dandruff cure.
Dandruff
is not made worse by frequent shampooing and it is not responsible for
hair loss. The condition is, however, characterized by an itchy scalp.
Don't scratch! If the skin becomes irritated or bleeds, the door has
been opened for a more serious infection.
DRY FLAKY SCALP
Many
times climactic changes cause a dry, flaking scalp. In winter when
artificial heaters are running in homes and businesses people are
exposed to low humidity on a regular basis and their scalp dries out.
Another common cause of dry scalp is a shampoo with a harsh detergent
base such as sodium lauryl sulfate or sodium C14-16 olefin sulfonate.
Over-shampooing will also dry out the scalp and for women who use hair
spray the culprit may be the alcohol in the product.
Don't
confuse a dry scalp with dandruff. While both conditions cause flaking,
a dry scalp feels tight and drawn. If you are experiencing the problem
in winter, try running a small humidifier in your bedroom at night.
Hair and scalp conditioning are also important. You don't want to
produce a chemical build up on your hair, so try a simple conditioning
mixture of rosemary essential oils and olive oil. Comb the mixture into
wet, clean hair and wrap your head in a warm towel for 45 minutes, then
use a mild shampoo. You can work a skin moisturizing product like
Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Cream into your scalp at night. Also, read
the label of your shampoo and if harsh detergents are present, choose a
milder product like Johnson's Baby Shampoo.
ITCHY SCALP
Oftentimes an itchy scalp is evidence of an allergic reaction to some
ingredient in one of your hair care products, most likely your shampoo.
Perfumes added to shampoos are notorious for causing itching. If you've
tried a dandruff shampoo, the itching is continuing, and you do not see
signs of irritation such as redness or small, acne-like lesions, try
finding a shampoo with no perfumes. It won't be easy. Look for a line
by Pharmaceutical Specialties called Free and Clear or Super Sensitive
Shampoo by California Baby. Searching online may be your best bet to
locate these products.
While itching can accompany many scalp problems, itching by itself is
almost always attributable to an allergic reaction and it can be
maddening until you find the source of the problem. Anti-itching
products like Lanacort or Cortaid, which contain approximately 1%
hydrocortisone cream, should give you some relief. If you are planning
to wash your hair the next morning, work one of these creams into your
scalp at night.
GREASY SCALP
To
a large extent a greasy scalp is as much the cause of other conditions
as a condition itself. A greasy scalp means your sebaceous or oil
glands are working over time. The most common consequence is that at
the same time you have a greasy scalp (that is probably also causing
oily hair), your shoulders are covered in dandruff flakes.
Unfortunately excess oil in the scalp can help create a climate ripe
for more serious conditions like eczema, dermatitis, or scalp psoriasis.
Try finding a shampoo that contains zinc pyrithione. These shampoos
will clean your hair as well as any "normal" shampoo but are a mild way
to address the oily scalp and can be used long term. Suave makes a
Suave for Men Dandruff Shampoo and an old favorite is Selsun Blue. If
you've tried a dandruff shampoo like Head and Shoulders and not seen
good results it may be time to try one of these upper shelf dandruff
formulations.
SCALP BREAKOUTS
Many
hair loss problems are temporary and are caused by a scalp infection or
breakout. These cases are usually characterized by red, itchy patches
and the presence of either acne-like lesions or scab-like flakes. Any
scalp lesion should be carefully evaluated. If you have an irregularly
shaped, raised lesion of multiple colors that may bleed (but does not
heal), seek the help of a dermatologist as these factors may indicate
the presence of a skin cancer.
Normally your hair care
professional will alert you to the presence of any irregularity on the
surface of your scalp and if you have such a lesion, it is not
inappropriate to ask your hair dresser to examine it. While they are
not medical professionals, they are certainly familiar with surface
irregularities of the scalp and know the warning signs of a dangerous
growth.
While
acne-like spots on the scalp may be nothing more than clogged hair
follicles, they can also be signs of eczema, dermatitis, or psoriasis.
See the descriptions of these conditions below to help you to evaluate
the breakout you are seeing.
PSORIASIS
Normally the lesions
present with psoriasis, an auto-immune condition thought to be
inherited, are silver and flaky with a red, inflamed area beneath.
Psoriasis can be present on the scalp or on any other part of the body.
Often the initial outbreak of psoriasis is traced to some emotional
crisis or stress that triggers the condition. In layman's terms, the
cells in the body that form scabs over wounds go into overdrive and try
to heal damage that isn't there, thus causing damage on their own.
Because there is an intimate link between psoriasis and stress, the
condition tends to wax and wane with whatever is going on in the life
of the individual.
In general it is best to consult a dermatologist when you suspect you
have psoriasis. Some patients respond well to corticosteroid creams
applied twice a day. Unfortunately long-term use of such creams can
cause thinning of the skin which may lead psoriasis patients to seek
natural or home remedies. For psoriasis on the scalp you may try using
a shampoo with coal tar such as Neutrogena T-Gel. Read the instructions
carefully. These shampoos must be used on the suggested schedule and
can make the user sensitive to sun exposure. (A folk remedy is to wash
your hair or to bathe with baking soda.) Be aware, however, that severe
outbreaks may require the assistance of a physician.
