- Hair causing some "hairy" issues? If so, read on...
Underneath the flowing locks of Fabio’s hair and the smooth curve of Dwanye Johnson’s head is a commonality — the scalp. It’s not always an area of the body or skin you think of. But that skin can have as much power over your self-esteem as the rest of your body. Often hidden beneath hair, it can be easy to overlook. However, if you’re an individual suffering from a scalp condition, you know just how much discomfort there can be.
There are several scalp afflictions that can impact your head and also your hair health. From dandruff to androgenetic alopecia, there are many levels of severity as well. The good news is, there are also different treatment options for the conditions. Keep reading to learn more about some common scalp conditions and what to do about them.
1. Androgenetic Alopecia
Androgenetic alopecia, often called male or female pattern baldness, is a condition that is most easily identified by a progression of hair thinning. In men it typically begins at the top of the head near the crown or with a receding hairline. For women, it usually involves a thinning part. Why is it called androgenetic? Well, it is based on your genetics and your androgens, which are a type of hormone.
With an overproduction of androgens, especially Dihydrotestosterone (DHT), hair follicles shrink. This leads to hair loss on the scalp. The good news is there are treatments to help lessen the loss and thicken your hair. One treatment option is minoxidil. It can be applied directly to your scalp, and it increases blood flow to your follicles, delivering necessary nutrients. With consistent use, results can often be seen after 4-6 months.
If that doesn’t help, there are additional topical creams you can try like finasteride, which also comes as a pill. More intensive treatments include a hair transplant or scalp reduction. These involve moving hair follicles and parts of your scalp to mitigate the balding. Implanting healthy follicles in places where hair isn’t growing is part of why this surgical route can help.
2. Scalp Psoriasis
Another common scalp condition is scalp psoriasis. This can be a little tricker to diagnosis than male pattern baldness due to its appearance. It impacts people of contrasting skin tones in differing ways. Lighter skinned individuals may experience this with bumped up red or pink patches and white scales. People of color might experience more purplish patches and a gray-ish scale on top.
The severity and coverage also vary from person to person. Some people might have one patchy area. For others, it might be your whole scalp plus your forehead and neck and ears. Those with more severe cases might experience thick crusted sores that are painful and itchy. While little is understood about what causes this condition, it’s not contagious.
Though this condition doesn’t directly cause balding, picking and scratching for years at a time can cause hair loss. With treatment, your hair often comes back though. There are topical and pill medications you can take for relief. Shampoos, creams, and ointments that help often have one of two medications: salicylic acid and coal tar. Salicylic acid helps with scale removal, while coal tar slows the regrowth and reduces itching and inflammation.
3. Dandruff
Dandruff, in general, can be less severe than scalp psoriasis. It can, however, impact what you wear and how confident you feel. Black or dark shirts might be a no-go for you if you have flakes falling. The condition is often more noticeable for those with thinning or dark hair as well. It can be itchy and uncomfortable, and too much picking or scratching can create scabs or damage your hair follicles.
Many people will have this dandruff at some point in their life. Dry skin or allergic reactions can cause it. Seborrheic dermatitis and eczema can also be culprits. The weather, stress, hair products, and other medical issues can cause dandruff. Luckily, there are several noninvasive treatment options.
Like psoriasis, salicylic acid and coal tar can help. Ketoconazole can also give you relief if your dandruff is caused by a fungus or yeast. Tea-tree oil can be another great antifungal and antibacterial ingredient to add to a treatment regimen. If you’re impacted by dandruff, start with an over-the-counter dandruff shampoo and look for these ingredients. Make sure to brush your hair gently and switch from harsher products to those with natural ingredients.
4. Folliculitis
Folliculitis, or inflamed hair follicles, is another common scalp issue. It’s basically an infected hair. If you’re prone to acne breakouts on other areas of your body, this could impact your follicles as well. With this condition, you’ll see white-headed pimples around your hair follicles. It can be itchy or even hurt, like other pimples do.
What causes this? Bacteria works its way into your hair roots. Your clothing, shaving habits, or even makeup can irritate your roots. If you tend to get this after shaving your neck or head, wait a bit before shaving again. Many times you won’t need treatment if it’s just one or two pimples.
If it’s several spots or a patch or if it’s super painful and not going away quickly, you might need to explore treatment options. Applying a warm compress or washcloth to the area can help with pain and inflammation. Afterwards, be sure to keep the area clean and dry. You may want to use a medicated shampoo. An antibiotic might help as well.
The scalp is just like any other area of your skin, it can have irritations and even acne. But, like with acne and other dermatological issues, you’re not alone and there are treatments available. If you’re experiencing any of the conditions above, seek treatment. Don’t hesitate to talk with a medical professional about your options. The longer you let it go, the harder a fix may be. Plus, that’s more time living with discomfort when you might not have to.