The Connection Between An Itchy Scalp And Hair Loss
A considerable number of the population suffers from the well-known condition called itchy scalp. Its a very annoying and stressful experience, but it can also be perilous and lead to hair loss if not treated properly and on time.
In the following few lines, youll discover whats the connection between an itchy scalp and hair loss, the main culprits for their emergence, as well as how to prevent them.
When To Worry About Scalp Itchiness
Most of thetime, an itchy scalp isnt cause for concern. But there are times when it canindicate something more serious. See your doctor when:
- Over-the-counter shampoos dont make any difference.
- The itching keeps you up at night and affects your work or study.
- You see lice or nits in your hair.
- The itchy spots are very sore to the touch.
Dr. Piliangsays that its always a good idea to see your dermatologist when you have apersistent itchy scalp even if you think its just common dandruff. Yourdermatologist can check it out and tell you which remedies will bring you somerelief.
Symptoms Of Seborrheic Dermatitis
Seborrheic dermatitis can be confused with other conditions, especially in young children. It is commonly mistaken for diaper rash and eczema.
It often forms where the skin is oily or greasy. Common areas include the scalp, eyebrows, eyelids, creases of the nose, lips, behind the ears, in the outer ear, and in the middle of the chest.
In general, symptoms of seborrheic dermatitis include:
- Skin lesions with scales
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What Are The Signs And Symptoms Of Alopecia Areata
While alopecia areata often causes hair loss on the scalp, you can have hair loss on any part of your body. Some people develop hair loss on another area of the body, such as the eyelashes, eyebrows, or beard area . Wherever the hair loss occurs, it happens without any signs of a rash, redness, or scarring.
A common sign of alopecia areata
The first sign of alopecia areata is often a round or oval bald patch on the scalp.
Can Dry Scalp Cause Hair Loss: Remedies And Treatments
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Do you experience dry scalp that sometimes becomes itchy? Is your it accompanied by hair loss? Are these conditions or other the cause of your scalp hair to fall off? Lets see the causes and connections between dry scalp and hair loss. Well also dwell on the effective ways to get rid of these two.
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What Can You Do
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The Connection Between Hair Loss Eczema And Seborrheic Dermatitis
More than 30 million people in the U.S. suffer from eczema, the name for a group of conditions that cause skin to become irritated, inflamed, itchy and red. Seborrheic dermatitis is one of those conditions and typically results in a reddish-colored rash thats oily in appearance and has yellow or white scales on the surface of the skin. When these common conditions occur on the scalp, they can look similar to dandruff and even cause temporary hair loss.
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What Is Thinning Hair And Hair Loss
If your hairs active growth or anagen phase becomes shorter, your hair follicles produce smaller, thinner and less visible hairs, leading to thinning hair. If this anagen phase halts completely, the affected hair follicles stop producing new hair altogether leading to hair loss.Women are more likely to suffer from thinning hair, while men are more likely to experience receding hair, bald patches or total hair loss.
Major Causes
How To Treat An Itchy Scalp And Dandruff
Getting dandruff is annoying, but the good news is that itâs easy to get rid of an itchy scalp and dandruff. Here are a few remedies you can try at home:
01. Medicated Products
While dandruff canât be âcuredâ per se, weâd say that OTC products that are medicated come pretty close to treating it properly. If youâre wondering how to get rid of an itchy scalp and dandruff, look for medicated products that contain ingredients like pyrithione zinc and selenium sulfide, which are antifungal and can help treat the condition properly.
02. Neem
An antifungal, antibacterial ingredient that not only gets rid of the dandruff-causing bacteria on the scalp, but soothes the itchiness on the scalp too, neem tops our list when we turn to home remedies for how to get rid of an itchy scalp and dandruff. Use products with neem as an ingredient, or use a neem leaf-powder to create a hair mask.
03. Yoghurt
An anti-inflammatory, cooling ingredient that will calm down an itchy scalp and hydrate it to control dandruff, dahi, or yoghurt is a great pick when you want to treat an itchy scalp and dandruff. Massage it onto your scalp as is, or mix it with papaya for a hydrating, cleansing hair mask.
04. Coconut Oil
Coconut oil clears the scalp of all itchy elements, while nourishing and moisturising the scalp to improve its health. Go for weekly coconut oil massages to get rid of dandruff already!
05. Methi
10. Healthier Lifestyle
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Managing Seborrheic Dermatitis And An Itchy Scalp
To enjoy healthy hair, you first need to ensure you have a healthy scalp. Lets take a look at some ways we can control itching and reduce inflammation:
20% Pine Tar Soap with Tallow this natural remedy is great for wound healing thanks to its anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties. While you can use it as a body soap, it does wonders for the scalp when used as a shampoo to treat scalp eczema . dandruff, or psoriasis. Youll love this natural soap that helps soothe itching, reduce scaling, and relieve inflammation.
Emily Liquid Soap Soother This superfatted soap liquid was specially formulated using the principles of Chinese Medicine. You can use it as a natural body wash or as a shampoo to treat seborrheic dermatitis and scalp eczema. Its a great choice for both adults and babies alike.
Organic Aloe Vera for Eczema Skin Soothing Spray – This cooling spray is perfect for beating the itch! We recommend storing it in the refrigerator between uses so that you can enjoy an extra cool treat. Made with calendula and aloe vera, its soothing and refreshing for anywhere on the body that itches. But its non-greasy formula makes it particularly helpful for treating and itchy scalp.
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Less Common Scalp Conditions That Can Cause Hair Loss
- lichen planopilaris this is when a skin disease called lichen planus affects hairy areas like the scalp. It destroys hair follicles and replaces them with scarring, causing patchy permanent hair loss. Its found to be the cause in only 1% to 8% of people with hair loss
- folliculitis decalvans a condition causing inflammation of the hair follicles on the scalp and other body areas including the beard and pubic hair. The inflammation causes scarring and hair loss. Its more common in males, but its very rare and only accounts for 3% of hair loss diagnoses
- dissecting cellulitis of the scalp another rare condition where pus-filled spots appear and destroy hair follicles. It more often affects darker-skinned adult males of African-Caribbean origin
- pemphigus pemphigus vulgaris and pemphigus foliaceus are very rare autoimmune conditions that can cause skin blisters on the scalp and other areas of the body, destroying skin and hair follicles leading to hair loss
- pityriasis amiantacea a rare condition that presents as thick, silver-yellow scales on the scalp. Its not a condition in itself but can be a symptom of other scalp conditions, including psoriasis and seborrhoeic dermatitis. It usually causes temporary hair loss and rarely permanent
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Can Dry Scalp Syndrome Cause Loss Of Hair
Dry scalps are usually itchy and irritating, this can initiate scratching which may aggravate the situation. Though there are different causes, the symptoms may be virtually the same. it is a common problem for many people especially Americans. Its causes include harsh hair care products, dehydration, climatic conditions, stress and anxiety and medical conditions such as psoriasis, eczema, and fungus among many others.
So, you have been wondering whether it can really contribute to your this loss, yes it can but in rare cases. However, hair loss causes have a wide range that involves issues to do with skin disorders, scalp infections, hormonal disorders, and certain medications especially those used to treat cancer, arthritis, depression, heart failures, and birth control.
Having explained all these, the good news is that, there are many ways to heal this dryness and stop further loss. We`ll discuss them later in this article. Now, you major concern is how dry scalp causes hair loss right? Good, just scroll below to explore the whole theory.
Itchy Scalp Hair Loss: Causes And Treatments
An itchy scalp can be a real pain, especially because it is not easy to find out the exact cause. But if left untreated, the constant scratching and inflammation may trigger an even more noticeable problem: hair loss.
In most cases, an itchy scalp is just a symptom of another underlying medical condition that interferes with the normal working condition of the scalp.
As such, the best response to itchy scalp hair loss can only be accomplished after prior understanding of the medical conditions that directly affect the scalp.
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Is Hair Loss Due To Dandruff Temporary Or Permanent
Hair loss due to dandruff is not permanent. Once you treat the dandruff, your hair follicles are restored and hair grows back.
Wrapping Up
Numerous scalp conditions can be mistaken for dandruff. Though not a direct cause for hair fall, dandruff can accelerate hair fall. If you have extreme scalp itching or hair that falls out in clumps, consult your dermatologist without a delay. Most importantly, love yourself despite all the physical issues.
Home Remedies For Dandruff Hair Loss
Even though home remedies for dandruff hair loss are not scientific, people have found them beneficial.
A. Tea Tree Oil
Mix a few drops of tea tree oil with a carrier oil like coconut oil and apply it on your scalp and hair. Tea tree oil has anti-inflammatory and anti-fungal properties.
B. Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is anti-inflammatory and extremely soothing on the scalp. Cut open the leaf of aloe vera and remove the juice. Apply this on your scalp, leave it on for 15 minutes and wash off.
C. Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar encourages shedding of dead skin cells, fights fungus and balances the pH of your scalp. Combine apple cider vinegar with your oil or shampoo, or dilute it with water for a final rinse after shampooing.
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Dirt Dust Or Pollutants
Dirt, dust and other irritants found in the environment can become stuck in your hair and cause your scalp to become irritated, itchy and uncomfortable.
If your scalp is dirty, you may find that it starts to itch. Make sure to wash your hair frequently to remove dirt, dust and other pollutants that can become trapped against your skin, as well as the natural oils that can build up on your scalp over time.
What Are The Causes Of An Itchy Scalp
If youve got an itchy scalp, youre also likely to experience hair loss. Why? Well, the intense scratching makes your hair snap and also damage its follicles. It then leads to hair loss that could be the start of an underlying scalp or medical condition that needs treatment.
So, youd need to identify the cause of your itchy scalp early enough.
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Is Egg Good For Psoriasis
Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune skin condition. Symptoms of psoriasis include red, thick, scaly, and flaky skin. Eggs contain a polyunsaturated fatty acid called arachidonic acid that has been shown to be a trigger for psoriasis symptoms, so they would generally not be considered good for psoriasis.
How Can I Treat Eczema & Will My Hair Grow Back After
Atopic dermatitis is more easily treated and has quite a few treatment options. The many over-the-counter treatments include lotions, ointments, and shampoos. In more serious cases you may need topical steroids and potentially steroid injections. You likely wont have any permanent hair damage from this, especially if you dont scratch your head.
Seborrheic dermatitis may be a different story. If untreated, the hair loss caused by seborrheic dermatitis can be permanent. It may be possible to handle some cases of seborrheic dermatitis with over the counter shampoos and other home remedies, but if you are not seeing positive results in a timely manner you will want to consult a physician.
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Dandruff And Hair Loss: Are They Connected
Its quite possible that you are one of many who have experienced both dandruff and hair loss at the same time since dandruff affects roughly one in five Americans, and more than half of men will experience hair loss by the time they reach 35. But that doesnt mean these two conditions are related.
Scalp Inflammation And Hair Loss
Not all scalp inflammation causes hair loss. However, some medical conditions that can cause your scalp to become inflamed may also damage your hair follicles and cause hair loss.
For example, scalp ringworm can potentially affect your hair follicles and cause patches of hair loss in certain parts of your scalp.
When the inflammation caused by scalp ringworm is severe, it can lead to permanent hair loss that may affect your scalp, eyelashes and eyebrows. Weve provided more information about this in our detailed guide to scalp fungus.
Other conditions that cause inflammation, particularly those that can cause itching, may cause hair loss indirectly through damage that occurs when you scratch your skin.
For example, although psoriasis doesnt cause hair loss directly, scratching your skin or pulling at affected areas of scaly, painful skin can damage your hair follicles and cause temporary hair loss.
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