Most often, the scalp is often overlooked in favour of the hair until it begs for attention. Your scalp may itch and become inflamed due to a variety of issues. Because your hair is so prominent on your body, it might not be easy to see whether you’re having problems with your scalp. And, like other regions of your body, the scalp is susceptible to a wide range of skin ailments.
There are a wide range of uncomfortable and irritating symptoms that can be caused by scalp diseases. Listed below are five of the most prevalent scalp diseases, as well as the underlying factors that create them and their symptoms. Moreover, you’ll discover the most effective ways to preserve your scalp in good health.
Dandruff
Dandruff can be diagnosed as the presence of little white flakes on the scalp. Dandruff is nothing more than the accumulation of dead skin cells. We don’t know what’s causing it, but a fungal infection on the skin is a possibility. Although dandruff can’t be transmitted from one person to another, it can be irritating and a nuisance. Dandruff is most common in adults and infants, but it can develop at any age. It’s known as cradle cap when it appears in infants.
There is no treatment, but you can control it by washing your hair with a medicated shampoo more frequently and rinse it out after 5 minutes to give it time to do its job. To get rid of dandruff, you may need to experiment with two or three different products. Most of the time, over-the-counter anti-dandruff shampoos are effective in treating it. Coal tar, selenium sulphide, salicylic acid, ketoconazole, zinc, and/or resorcinol are common active components in these shampoos. Consult a physician if the problem persists even using a specific shampoo for a few weeks.
Head Lice
There is nothing more annoying than having lice on your child’s hair. Every year, more than 100 million people, most of whom are between the ages of 3 and 11, suffer from this condition. When head lice get into a school or summer camp, they swiftly spread through the use of shared combs, brushes, and caps by the young people who attend. Hair lice is about the size of a sesame seed, but lice don’t have wings. The females lay their eggs on the hair near the scalp, where they feed on blood. Despite the fact that they do not pose a severe health risk, many children and their parents would want to be free of them. Lice can appear in anyone’s hair, thus having them does not imply that the youngster is unclean.
It is possible for parents to use an over-the-counter product containing the active ingredient Xeglyze, permethrin (Nix) or spinosad (Rid) (Natroba) in treating it. Typically, lice kits come with a particular shampoo that is applied to the hair for 10 minutes and then rinsed off. Any leftover eggs may necessitate the use of a fine-toothed comb. If this step is not required for your therapy, be sure to check the directions carefully.
For those who don’t want to comb their hair, there is a lotion called Sklice that doesn’t require one. There may be no need for more than one treatment. Ivermectin, a potent parasite killer, is the main active component. Lice removal necessitates a complete housecleaning as well. Do a thorough vacuuming before washing all of the child’s clothes as well as the bedding and towels in hot water to prevent mildew from forming. To be sure that all lice and nits (eggs) have been removed, it is recommended that you check the hair every two to three weeks for two to three weeks. After 10 days, switch to a new lice kit. Any bugs that escaped the first round of treatment will be killed by this.
Ringworm or Tinea Capitis
In spite of the name, the disease ringworm is not related to worms. On the scalp, you’ll see itchy, scaly red bumps with hair loss. A common symptom of tinea capitis or ringworm is hair shedding. You may suffer from scarring alopecia, a form of permanent hair loss, when it creates inflammation in your scalp. Many times, the infection can extend from your scalp to your eyebrows and even into your upper eyelashes.
Between the ages of three and fourteen, children are most commonly affected with ringworm. Adults, on the other hand, may be susceptible to this particular fungus infection. Sharing hats, shirts, towels, and combs is how it spreads. Ringworm can be contracted via a pet dog or cat, but this is extremely unusual. Those who have ringworm are likely to experience an itchy, red rash that spreads throughout the part of the body it has infected. If the rash appears to be inflamed along its perimeter, it is likely to be ringworm.
In order to get rid of the fungus, you must use treatments that are taken orally. It is possible that the course of treatment will last up to 12 weeks. Using an antifungal shampoo can help prevent the spread of the virus to family and classmates. Ringworm sufferers should avoid sharing personal items such as combs, caps, and towels with others.
If your child is taking an antifungal medication, they can attend school without fear. You don’t even have to cut their hair. Consult your doctor if you think you or your child have ringworm.
Folliculitis
If your hair follicles become contaminated with bacteria, scalp fungus, or a virus, you’re likely suffering from folliculitis. Folliculitis causes tiny, acne-like lesions on the scalp and other regions of the body where hair follicles are present. Lesions may be surrounded by a red ring that is itchy and/or unpleasant to the touch. Bacteria from hot tubs and swimming pools can lead to folliculitis which is a common skin infection. Fungal skin infections and common viruses like herpes simplex can also lead to this type of infection. The chance of developing folliculitis can be increased if you engage in certain practises, such as wearing tight clothing, rubbing your skin against your clothing, and regularly touching your skin.
Folliculitis often gets better and goes away on its own without any treatment. Some, however, may necessitate the use of antibiotics, antifungals, or antivirals. In order to allow for healthy hair to develop, you may need to put off shaving, waxing, or plucking for a few weeks. Keep the area where the injury occurred clean, cold, and dry.
Psoriasis
Psoriasis is an autoimmune skin disease that can cause plaques and scale to develop on your skin, including your scalp, as well as on your nails and hair. Increased cellular proliferation is the cause of the formation of these plaques. Psoriasis is a skin condition in which your skin cells proliferate at a quicker pace than normal, resulting in an accumulation of cells and loose skin. Some people who have psoriasis have symptoms such as itching and burning on the affected skin, while others do not. The condition itself does not cause hair loss, but if you scratch or pick at the affected parts of your scalp, you may see thinning hair as a result of the scratching or picking.
Although there is currently no treatment for psoriasis, it is generally curable with medicated shampoos, systemic drugs, topical therapies, and other options such as phototherapy, among other things. Psoriasis is typically treated with topical steroid creams or ointments. It may also be beneficial to use shampoos containing tar or salicylic acid. Another alternative is ultraviolet light therapy, which involves shining UV radiation on the skin in order to halt the proliferation of skin cells. Severe cases may necessitate the administration of medicine either orally or through an injection.
Leave a Reply