Dandruff It is common condition that causes the skin on the scalp to flake. It isn’t contagious but can be embarrassing and difficult to treat. It is an uninflamed form of Seborrheic Dermatitis. Symptoms may include, itchy scalp , white and grey skin flakes on scalp, eyebrows, beard and moustache. Flakes can often be seen on shoulders . Causes include dry skin, irritated skin, oily skin, sensitivity to hair care products. Other skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis, stress and weather can cause the condition to worsen. Mild dandruff can be treated with the appropriate shampoo
Seborrheic Dermatitis. An inflammatory skin condition also known as dandruff but at the severe end of the spectrum . Common in adults form 30-60 years. In infants it is known as cradle cap. Characterised by large yellow greasy scales, red flaky areas around hairline and behind ears, crusting and oedema. The condition can also be seen on the face(nasal laboids, eyebrows) chest, elbows, beard and moustache. Symptoms include, itchiness, soreness and flakiness. It is a chronic condition and treatments may be needed occasionally for many years. Genetics, yeast infection, bad hair hygiene, stress and some medications are all thought to be a cause of this condition. There is no permanent cure but condition can be improved with treatment and good skincare
Psoriasis. A common chronic condition predominantly affecting the scalp, posterior hairline, above the ears, knees elbows and trunk. Can also cause nail pitting and thickening of the skin under nails. Psoriasis is not contagious. Severe cases can cause hair loss. Signs are raised red/mauve plaques covered with silvery white scales. Symptoms include, itchiness, tightness of the scalp, compulsive picking, scratching and occasional joint stiffness. Thought to be caused by and autoimmune system problem whereas the skin regenerates at an accelerated rate causing a rapid turnover and build up of skin cells. Family history of psoriasis, stress and smoking can increase the risk of developing the condition. There is no cure for the condition but there are treatments to reduce the inflammation and the formation of patches. For more sever cases other treatments would be available form your medical practitioner.
Below(in brief) are some of the most common causes of hairloss
Telogen Effluvium
Is a diffuse form of alopecia. It is usually temporary and results in widespread hair loss, where hair is abnormally thin across the entire scalp due to increased excessive shedding of the hair due to a disruption of the hair cycle caused by a ‘trigger’.
This could be emotional, psychological or physical. Common causes include: stressful life events, nutritional deficiency, fever, illness, operation, and birth control.
The shedding is usually noticeable around 3months after the trigger, usually by more hair being seen on hairbrushes, shower, and pillow or just in general.
As in all types of all hair loss TE can cause psychological effects, anxiety and distress to sufferers.
Telogen effluvium can affect people of all ages.
It rarely causes complete hair loss but can make the hair look and feel thinner than what it used to.
Androgenetic Alopecia (Female or Male Pattern Hair Loss)
AA is a progressive condition due to a combination of hormones and a genetic disposition.
In males the onset usually begins after puberty. It is characterised by a receding hairline and hair loss on the top and front of the scalp (horseshoe shape) The back of the scalp is usually unaffected.
In women the condition usually starts much later (20-50) and is characterised by thinning hair on the mid frontal area of the scalp (noticeable wider partings)leaving scalp slightly more visible.
The condition is usually asymptomatic.
In both FPHL and MPHL miniaturisation of the hair follicle occurs over time eventually causing hair loss in affected areas. This is when the affected follicles become smaller in diameter, shorter in length and lighter in colour eventually shrinking completely and no longer produce hair.
The condition is not curable and tends to progress very slowly from several years to decade.
There are stimulative treatments that can help control and minimise the progression of the miniaturisation.
Trichology treats the condition not the cause.
Alopecia Areata
Autoimmune condition. A common cause of patchy hair loss and characterised by a well demarcated patch of hair loss on the scalp and can also affect facial hair. Can affect any age or gender.
Usually starts with one small patchy hair loss area on the scalp, smooth looking and not inflamed.
The onset can be dramatic, initial patch can reach 1cm in diameter overnight, sometime doubling in size within 2-3 weeks. Sometimes additional patches appear one at a time, every few weeks merging into each other.
The condition is not contagious.
Symptoms include, sensitive sensation and tingling of the scalp. Other signs include, nail pitting, dots on nails and vitiligo.
Causes include, inflammation of the hair follicle and stress.
Regrowth of the hair is possible over a period of time and chances of it growing back usually depends on how much of it was lost.
If more than half the hair was lost chances of recovery are not very good.
Traction Alopecia
The result of repeated and constant pulling of the hair usually the result of extreme hairstyling techniques, ponytails, cornrows, braids hair extensions, which exerts a pulling force on the hair and scalp.
Symptoms include, inflammation, soreness, stinging or itchiness of the scalp.
Signs are little red bumps like the appearance of pimples and later, hair loss, often to the front and sides. Additional signs are broken hairs, visible inflammation of hair follicle’s, scaling and pus-filled blisters.
Traction Alopecia is reversible if treated quickly and tension to the hair is avoided and terminated, ultimately inflammation affects the stem cells creating permanent hair loss.
Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia
An autoimmune condition causing permanent hair loss. FFA is a relatively recent phenomenon typically affecting post-menopausal women, although has been found in man and pre-menopausal women.
It is characterised by a symmetrical band of hair loss around the frontal hairline and behind the ears, the skin will be smooth and pale. Also sometimes seen behind the neck and middle of the scalp With FFA there is sometimes the loss of hair on that e eyebrows, the underarm area and pubic region.
Symptoms include, burning, tenderness, pain, and itching on the affected areas.
The cause is poorly understood but it is known that the hair follicles are attacked by white blood cells.
Due to the nature FFA, the prognosis is generally poor. There is no cure, only treatments to slow down the progression of hair loss.
