Treating Dandruff And Alopecia Areata
Itâs fairly obvious, then, to tell the difference between dandruff and alopecia areata. If youâre still worried, you can use a dandruff shampoo for the recommended two weeks. Should you find that hair is still falling out, itâs time to speak to a doctor about the possibility of alopecia areata.
Unfortunately, there is no known cure for alopecia areata. On the bright side, because the follicles are still alive, it is possible to use medication to encourage re-growth of hair.
The key point here is that should you find yourself dealing with excessive hair loss, it is always recommended to speak to a doctor.
Use A Medicated Shampoo
If you havent already, try using a medicated shampoo designed to help with dandruff. Look for products containing any of the following ingredients:
- pyrinthione zinc
Shop for antidandruff shampoos containing these ingredients.
For mild cases of dandruff, you may only need to use medicated shampoo for a few weeks.
If you have light-colored hair, you may want to stay away from selenium sulfide, which can cause discoloration.
Causes Of Dandruff With Hair Loss
Conditions causing both dandruff and hair loss include:
- Fungal infections, such as ringworm, with dry flaking of skin and hair possibly falling out in clumps
- Scalp psoriasis, an autoimmune condition that causes flaking with patches of bald spots
- Folliculitis decalvans, an inflammatory condition that destroys hair follicles and causes itching and flaking
- Lichen planopilaris, a dry and flaking rash that can cause hair to fall out in clumps
- Seborrheic dermatitis, causing red or gray scaly rash and oily patches that can damage hair follicles
Sometimes people have unrelated conditions of hair loss when they develop scalp itching and flaking. Typical conditions that cause loss of hair, balding or thinning, include:
- Male pattern baldness due to hormonal imbalance
- Telogen effluvium, hair loss related to infection, stress or injury
- Alopecia areata, autoimmune disease-related hair loss
- Scalp infections, scarring or inflammation
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The Use Of A Medicated Shampoo
Using a medical shampoo helps, specifically made for tackling dandruff. For this type of shampoo, use products that comprise these condiments:
- pyrinthione zinc
- salicylic acid
- ketoconazole
NB: Selenium sulfide and coal tar can lead to the discoloration of hair. Seek medical care before trying any new products so that you dont suffer any severe side effect. When using anti-dandruff products, ensure that you follow the instructions carefully. Some hair products may need to stay on the scalp for a moment so as to be effective.
For people whose scalp is allergic to chemicals, herbal shampoos that have medicinal characteristics come in handy, viz:
- Rosemary oil
Scratching Your Scalp And Hair Loss
As we briefly mentioned earlier, dandruff can cause your scalp to become itchy — a factor that could lead to hair loss if you scratch your scalp aggressively.
Scratching your scalp can damage your skin, increasing your risk of developing infections that can cause follicular damage and hair loss, such as tinea capitis.
Scratching aggressively may also pull on your hair, causing temporary hair shedding that gives your hair a thin appearance.
In addition to dandruff, a variety of other issues may cause you to develop an itchy scalp, such as hives, psoriasis, head lice, neuropathy and allergic reactions to certain hair care products.
Many of these conditions can be treated and prevented with topical or oral medications, helping you to avoid scratching and damaging your scalp.
If you have an itchy scalp and feel tempted to scratch it, its best to reach out to your healthcare provider for assistance.
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Does Dandruff Cause Hair Loss
Dandruff is a skin condition that causes white or yellow flakes on the scalp, which fall off on the shoulders.
Dandruff directly does not cause hair loss. The itching due to dandruff impacts the hair follicles, which can lead to a certain amount of hairfall . Loss of 50-100 strands of hair on a daily basis is considered normal. If you have excessive hair loss, you will need medical intervention.
Dandruff can increase hair fall in people with androgenetic alopecia .
Avoid Irritating Hair Products
Hair dye and other hair products often contain ingredients that can irritate sensitive skin. This can lead to contact dermatitis. Preservatives and fragrances are common causes of contact dermatitis on your scalp.
Examples of potentially irritating ingredients in hair products include:
- natural or artificial fragrance
- detergents
- formaldehyde
Some people use products for years before noticing any kind of reaction. Even if youve used the same hair products without any problems, consider changing up your routine if you notice dandruff.
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Constant Use Of Antifungal Shampoo May Damage Hair And Cause Breakage
You may be using antifungal shampoos or even regular shampoos multiple times a week to deal with dandruff. Unfortunately, this can leave your hair dry and frizzy. Worse yet, it may also damage the hair cuticles, affecting the quality and look of your hair overall. Hair becomes harder to comb through and may break. And this can cause that much-dreaded hair loss. Smoothening the cuticles and coating the hair shafts can help mitigate this problem.9
Constant Scratching May Weaken Roots
Hair loss may also be brought on due to associated problems. For instance, constantly scratching at a dandruff-laden scalp can cause mechanical hair loss that is you end up inadvertently pulling your hair from its shaft. The dryness can also leave your hair undernourished as skin oils stick to the flaking skin of your scalp, contributing to poor nutrition for your hair.
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Top Shampoos To Control Dandruff
Regular use of medicated anti-dandruff shampoos may help reduce the symptoms. Read the product labels and pick a shampoo with one or more of these ingredients:
- Tea Tree Oil:Shampoos with 5% tea tree oil were effective in treating mild to moderate dandruff. The oil has antifungal, antibiotic, and antiseptic properties .
- Ketoconazole: This ingredient may help kill the dandruff-causing fungi .
- Pyrithione Zinc: This ingredient has antibacterial and antifungal properties that can slow down yeast production and prevent dandruff .
- Salicylic Acid: This ingredient can help treat itchy scalp caused due to psoriasis and seborrheic dermatitis . It also may help remove the dead skin cells on your scalp.
Note: Consult your dermatologist to understand the ideal frequency of shampooing and pick the right product .
What Dandruff Does And Doesn’t Do
The good news is that dandruff causing hair loss is a myth it can, however, impact hair growth and hair regrowth, depending on the severity of the condition, along with scalp health.
Other conditions that can impact scalp health include:
- Scalp psoriasis, which is a skin condition that results in raised, reddish, often scaly patches.
- Lichen planopilaris, which causes temporary hair loss when fungus destroys the hair follicle and replaces it with scarring.
- Tinea capitis, also known as scalp ringworm, can cause hair loss dry, scaly areas redness and itch.
- Tinea barbae is essentially the same condition as tinea capitis but involves the beard area with pattern baldness.
- Malassezia fungus can cause inflammation, damaging the hair follicles and causing hair loss if produced in excess and left untreated.
If you’re worried your scalp issues go beyond dandruff, it’s best to see your dermatologist or trichologist for a diagnosis.
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Set Up Your Tresses For Success
Now that you know that dandruff won’t likely lead to hair loss, you can relax. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t do a little extra for your hair and scalp. Bolster your overall health and hair wellness by incorporating scalp massage, exfoliation and targeted supplements into your regular routine. And if those unwanted white flakes do appear, you can combat them with a dandruff shampoo. If you find that anti-dandruff shampoo is too harsh for your tresses, consider washing with a revitalizing shampoo every other wash to give your scalp and hair a break.
If your issues get worse or become troublesome, however, always consult with your doctor.
Ayurvedic Methods To Treat Hair Loss Due To Dandruff
Instructions
You may also use neem in its powdered form.
Instructions
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Learn How To Use Hair Oils
Improperly applying hair oil on dandruff-prone scalp or using the wrong oils will only make things worse. Leaving the oil on your scalp and hair for more than a couple of hours can create a breeding ground for bacteria and fungi. So make sure the oils you use have antifungal and antibacterial properties and only leave them on for a short while, then shampoo as usual.
Treat Your Scalp To A Massage And Quality Products
“If it gets beyond what a shampoo can handle, I will recommend a scalp exfoliator,” said Dr. Henry. “There’s been this conversation about the “signification” of haircare. And so using moisturizers on the scalp like oils like jojoba and argan while I don’t love coconut oil on the body, I love it on the scalp. These are all really great oils to hydrate the scalp and lock in moisture.”
Opt to try a scalp massager to boost circulation in and around the scalp and hair follicles. Or, consider products such as GRO Scalp Detoxifying Serum, which can reduce sebum production and dandruff-causing fungi. This serum gently removes buildup, soothes irritation and restores balance to the scalp.
To amp up the fullness and thickness of your hair, pair your scalp massage with GRO+ Advanced Hair Serum. It’s vegan, safe for color-treated tresses and includes the benefit of microencapsulated full-spectrum CBD. Studies have shown that CBD, when applied topically, helps to soothe scalp irritation and promote scalp and hair health. You might also consider bolstering your diet with GRO Biotin Gummies.
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Can Dandruff Cause Hair Loss What You Need To Know
Dandruff is bad enough without also having to deal with patchy hair growth or higher than normal hair fall. But is your dandruff causing the hair loss? While there may not be a direct connection, the two problems are closely linked enough to matter. And remember, if youre struggling to cope, some remedies like onion juice, garlic paste, lemongrass or tea tree oil can be beneficial for both. Read on to find out more.
Hair Loss Treatments May Cause Dry Scalp
Hair products used to slow hair loss or boost hair regrowth may cause allergic contact dermatitis with side effects that mimic the symptoms of dandruff. Minoxidil, specifically, may affect scalp health by drying out the skin. Since this medication requires consistent use to counter hair loss, the dryness may worsen over time, leading to flaking, redness, and potentially itching. If thats the case, talk to your dermatologist about what youre experiencing and whether an alternative treatment to address alopecia may be better for you and your hair care routine.
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Consult With A Medical Professional
Dandruff may be caused by a variety of factors, ranging from hair-washing practices to underlying skin issues. In the event that you are unable to determine the source of your dandruff, schedule an appointment with your doctor or dermatologist.
They may examine your scalp to establish whether or not your dandruff is caused by washing your hair too regularly or not frequently enough. They may also look for indicators of an underlying condition, such as the ones listed below:
The skin on your scalp is parched:
In most cases, this leads to the formation of little flakes that are not accompanied by redness or irritation.
Seborrheic\dermatitis:
This illness results in a rash that is often red, scaly, and greasy in appearance. The skin flakes that form as a consequence might be either white or yellow in color.
Malassezia:
Malassezia is a fungus that may be found on the scalps of most humans. Although it is generally safe, it may sometimes irritate your scalp and induce the formation of additional skin cells. Dandruff may develop as a result of the death of these skin cells.
Products:
Sensitivity to some components in items that you use on your hair or scalp, such as shampoo or hair color, may result in red, flaky skin on your face and hands.
The better you understand the underlying reason for your scalp flaking, the more successful your treatment will be.
How Does Dandruff Cause Hair Loss
Dandruff occurs due to an imbalance of the three doshas – Vata, Pitta, and Kapha.
When in an aggravated state, Vata and Pitta cause the production of certain impurities called Ama. These are dry and hot in nature and contaminate the tissues of the scalp. As a result of these factors, you may experience dandruff, itchiness, and hair loss.
On an oily scalp, dandruff appears when the Kapha dosha produces sebum in excess quantity. The sebum clogs the pores and hampers the hair follicles’ blood supply, leading to hair fall.
Dr. Zeel Gandhi, Chief Ayurvedic Doctor at Vedix, says people with Kapha-Pitta doshas are more prone to oily skin conditions.
Other factors that cause dandruff include eczema, psoriasis, stress, poor hygiene, overgrowth of fungi, unhealthy food habits, hormonal imbalance, excessive use of chemicals, and low immunity.
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Home Remedies For Dandruff And Hair Fall
Listed below are some natural home remedies that will minimize dandruff and hair fall. These are most effective if you experience the initial signs of hair fall and dandruff:
- Massaging your scalp with oils like Tea tree and coconut can help fight infections caused by bacteria and fungus.
- Applying aloe vera gel on the scalp can help soothe the itchy inflamed scalp.
- Indulging in relaxing activities that minimize stress levels can be very helpful.
- Increasing your intake of Omega-3s and probiotics can help prevent dandruff and hair fall.
How To Reduce Hair Fall And Dandruff
A combination of medical treatments and prevention tips often resolve dandruff and hair fall problems. While the medical procedures help treat the infection, stop the progression of dandruff and reduce the rate of hair fall useful tips for prevention aid in maintaining these results in the long term.
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