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What Causes Dry Scalp And Hair Loss

Hair Loss On Other Parts Of The Body

Does Dandruff Scalp Cause Hair Loss? Treatment For Dry Itchy Scalp

Losing hair on other parts of the body can be more noticeable than hair loss on the scalp. Alopecia areata can cause hair loss on the eyebrows, beard, nose hairs, pubic hair, and eyelashes apart from the head. Some people with alopecia areata may even lose all hair on the body, which is then called alopecia universalis.

Conditions That Lead To Hair Loss

One of the most common types of scalp condition involves hair loss or damage. This can range from a complete loss of hair to easy breakages or small patches of hair loss:

  • Hypopituitarism, or an underactive pituitary gland, can cause hair loss.
  • Lichen planus is a skin condition that can cause discoloration of the scalp, as well as hair loss.
  • Celiac disease is an autoimmune disease that leads to damage in the small intestine when gluten is ingested. Hair loss due to malabsorption of nutrients may result.
  • Systemic lupus erythematosus is an autoimmune disorder with hair loss as one of its symptoms.
  • Trichorrhexis nodosa occurs when hair shafts break easily. Its normally due to genetics, but it can also be the result of certain disorders.
  • Some women notice hair loss after giving birth, which is due to the drop in hormones like estrogen.
  • Stress can lead to hair loss.
  • Eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia can lead to hair loss.
  • Alopecia Areata: Causes And Symptoms

    There are three recognized variations of alopecia areata, all with the same cause.

    Alopecia areata is an autoimmune skin disease. While it has its origins in a personâs genetic make-up, it is not really hereditary in the classic sense, nor is it contagious.

    Scientists have also noted the possibility of other factors and triggers involved in the development of the condition.

    Itâs also worth noting that the two percent of the population mentioned above do not suffer from alopecia areata all the time. Rather, this figure refers to âlifetime riskâ, which is the possibility that a given individual will suffer from the condition at some point.

    So, what does it look like?

    As weâve said, alopecia areata is an autoimmune skin disease â but what does this mean?

    Effectively, in the bodies of those suffering from alopecia areata, the immune system becomes confused. It begins to attack healthy hair follicles . This causes hair to fall out in clumps, even in those who are otherwise healthy.

    Other symptoms include nail problems such as:

    • tiny dents in the nail

    • white spots or lines

    • rough texture and loss of shine

    • thinning and split nails

    This hair loss is not always permanent often, the hair will grow back in a few months. This is because your hair follicles do not die when your immune system attacks them.

    Alopecia areata is broken down into three types according to severity:

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    What Is Alopecia Areata

    Alopecia areata is a form of alopecia . Its a non-life-threatening disease of your immune system that affects the hair on your scalp. With this condition, your body mistakenly views your hair follicles as an enemy. Your body attacks the hair follicles. This causes some or all of your hair to fall out. It usually begins with the hair on your head. There are three severe forms of alopecia, including:

    • Areata
    • Totalis
    • Universalis

    Alopecia is not contagious. It occurs in people of all ages. However, it is more common in children and adults in their early 20s.

    Alopecia is different than telogen effluvian, which is hair loss that can be caused by physical stress such as rapid weight loss or pregnancy. Telogen effluvian is more common and usually, your hair does grow back after this type of hair loss.

    Central Centrifugal Cicatricial Alopecia

    What Causes Dry Scalp And Hair Loss

    Central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia may occur as a result of hair products or styling techniques that damage hair follicles. The use of hair relaxers, blow dryers, curling irons, and hair extensions can cause central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia, as can the process of creating a permanent wave, or a perm.

    The frequent application of oils, gels, or pomades can also cause this condition, which may be reversible if you stop using these hair products or styling techniques. Our dermatologists may recommend taking medication to help hair grow back.

    Also Check: Why Is My Hair Thinning Out

    What Does Dry Itchy Scalp Hair Loss Mean

    Another type of itchy scalp hair loss occurs when the scalp is dry. When you have dry itchy scalp hair loss it means that, your scalp lacks enough moisture. Consequently, you have to use hair products that are moisturizing. Natural hair conditioners can come in handy as well as a homemade shampoo such as coconut milk mixed with aloe vera gel. A carrier and essential oil has to be added to this mixture before massaging it on scalp for 5-10 minutes and the rinsing off.

    Other deep moisturizers that can also help fight the itchiness and dryness include:

    • Coconut oil

    Why Does Dry Scalp Cause Hair Loss

    Dry scalp hair loss is one of the common hair problems seen in many people. Dryness and rashes, which are often confused with dandruff, are actually related problems. Even dandruff and hair loss can be a common problem. If you only have dandruff problem, hair loss does not occur, but both problems may occur in conjunction. The reason for this is dry scalp. If the dryness is too severe, dandruff may also increase. Too much dandruff causes hair loss. However, there is no such thing as dandruff when hair loss occurs. Depending on the persons hair type and skin structure, these problems may be related.

    Dry scalp can cause dandruff, dandruff damages the hair follicles. Especially if there is itching along with the dryness, then the risk of damage to the hair follicles increases. Injuries and inflammation can occur if the person scratches the scalp vigorously. This causes the hair follicles to be damaged. Dry scalp hair loss also starts at this point. Damaged hair follicles cause hair thinning, weakening and shedding begins. If the dryness is caused by eczema or psoriasis, the hair loss may intensify. Especially fungal infections are among the factors that trigger hair loss. In this case, hair loss may occur in clusters. If left untreated, regional baldness may also begin.

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    How To Prevent Dry Scalp Hair Loss

    After the causes of dry scalp hair loss are determined, the treatment phase can be started. If dryness and spills have just started, you can treat them at home with natural methods. However, if the sensitivity is very intense, then you may need to be examined by a dermatologist. As a result of the examination, drugs, creams or other soothing cleaning products can be used. So how to prevent hair loss?

    • Showering too often can lead to dry scalp and hair loss. In this process, you can reduce the frequency of taking a shower.
    • Using very hot water while showering can cause dryness and rashes.
    • If your scalp is prone to dandruff, you can use dandruff shampoos.
    • If you have eczema and psoriasis, you should not delay appropriate drug treatments.
    • You should stay away from the use of the blow dryer for a while.
    • Try to eat a balanced and healthy diet
    • Keep your scalp moist
    • Leave your hair open, do not gather it too tightly during the day
    • Keep your scalp away from the sun, salt and chlorinated water

    How To Stop This

    How can one manage itchy scalp with thick scaly deposits and hair loss? – Dr. Rasya Dixit

    Limiting your use of dry shampoo is the best way to ensure that you do not face a huge build-up of dry shampoo at the root of your hair, inhibiting growth and potentially causing hair loss. Try using dry shampoo twice a week at the maximum and make sure that you are shampooing and cleaning your hair twice a week at a minimum. This will make sure that your roots are kept clean and there is a limited amount of dry shampoo build up.

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    Dandruff And Alopecia Areata

    Dandruff is caused by theâ¯Malassezia globosaâ¯fungus. This yeast-like fungus lives on all our scalps, and is usually harmless.

    In some cases, however, oneâs personal sensitivity to oleic acid â a by-product ofâ¯Malassezia globosaâsâ¯life-cycle â can lead toâ¯dandruff symptoms:

    • itchiness

    • white flakes in the hair

    • red, irritated scalp

    Alopecia areata, as mentioned, is an autoimmune disease. The immune systems of alopecia areata sufferers attacks their hair follicles, which house the roots of hair.

    This leads to hair loss in patches on the scalp and elsewhere. In severe cases, the hair on the entire body can fall out.

    All is not lost, however. Although the immune system attacks your hair follicles, it doesnât necessarily kill them. This means that the hair can grow back.

    Nails are often a tell-tale sign of alopecia areata, with sufferers experiencing pitting, dullness and thinning of their nails, among other symptoms.

    Experiencing Dry Scalp And Hair Loss Read This

    White flakes, tightness, itchiness these are all annoyances that could come along with a dry scalp. If youre experiencing a dry scalp along with increased hair shedding or thinning hair, you might be wondering if there’s a connection. Read on to understand what dry scalp is, how it could be connected to other conditions that cause hair loss, and what you can do to get your scalp back to optimal health ASAP.

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    Signs Of Female Hair Loss

    If you start noticing more hair on your brush than normal, resist the urge to panic. Hair loss is more common than you think, regardless of age or sex. But how do you know if there is a bigger concern behind your hair loss? And what can you do to stop it–or at the very least–slow it down?

    Losing your hair is not the end of the world, even though it might feel like it. In fact, female pattern hair loss is quite normal as we age. Nevertheless, there are many ways you can slow down the process and even help your hair regrow. In this article, we will talk about the causes of hair loss in women along with the signs that you should look out for. Then, we’ll explain how you can start preventing female hair loss today.

    How Can I Stop My Hair Loss

    Itchy Scalp

    Eliminating the variables that cause your hair loss is the first step to stopping your hair loss. Be aware that there is not a magical solution. You may start with lifestyle changes and dietary updates. You can reduce alcohol consumption and smoking, and start taking supplementary and pharmacological medications. Most importantly, consult with a dermatologist whose specialty is scalp and hair loss to understand the root cause.

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    Itchy Dry Scalp And Hair Loss

    Dry skin normally tends to become itchy. Similar is the case with a dry scalp that tends to become itchy if not taken care of at the right time. Furthermore, it can develop into a full-fledged skin disorder. Prevention and treatment is therefore necessary at the right time. Following are the conditions that cause a dry scalp to itch and result in hair loss.

    Is Your Dry Scalp Something More Serious

    From dandruff to fungal infections, your scalp could be in need of some TLC

    A dry, itchy scalp can prove distracting, painful andwhen paired with scabbing or flakingembarrassing. It may be tempting to take matters into your own hands by scratching or attempting to mask the issue with products, which may make matters worse.

    If you are experiencing similar and sometimes overlapping symptoms, Deirdre Hooper, MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist in private practice in New Orleans, says its important to differentiate mild dry skin or dandruff from other skin conditions so that you can get the treatment you need.

    Dandruff and dry skin can show up on your scalp in similar ways, which can make it tricky to tell the difference without a dermatologists help. Dandruff shows up as small pieces of dry skin flaking off your scalp, and it may be itchy. Dandruff is a very common condition that often comes and goes. It is often associated with seborrheic dermatitis, which is a skin condition caused by the yeast that lives on skin, or by stress, cold, or overall health. On the other hand, dry skin happens when skin loses too much water. Some hair care products can dry and irritate the scalp by stripping the natural oils from your skin. Weather can also dry your scalp in low humidity and cold climates. When you have dry skin on your scalp, youll typically experience itchiness and flakes of skin, according to Dr. Hooper.

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    Can Dry Scalp Cause Hair Loss

    Many factors are contributing to both dry scalp and hair loss, so in some way, the two overlap at some point, but are not necessarily linked.

    If you have a dry, itchy scalp, you probably keep scratching it, damaging your hair in the process too. And a weak scalp cannot hold a full head of thick and strong hair either.

    What You Should Do

    The difference between Dry Scalp and Dandruff.

    If youre suffering from a flaky or itchy scalp, your first step should be to get a diagnosis. A medical practitioner should take a look at your scalp and diagnose what the problem is. They may prescribe a medicated shampoo if it is a fungus, or other medication if it is a treatable problem.

    Many times any hair loss that occurred due to a treatable condition will reverse after the problem has been resolved.

    Certain scalp conditions that result in flaky skin and itchiness arent as easily treatable. One such condition is alopecia areata. At the present time, scientists arent sure what causes this condition. One theory is that the bodys immune system attacks hair follicles mistakenly. Treatments for this disease include immunotherapy and steroids.

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    How To Keep Your Scalp Moisturized

    The scalp is an extension of the skin on your face, so its equally important to keep it hydrated, nurtured and indulge in treatments to keep the collagen and skin tight and healthy, said Dr. Steven Davis, a board-certified plastic surgeon with Davis Cosmetic Plastic Surgery.

    This might become especially important during cold and dry seasons like the winter, which commonly lead to dryness of the skin scalp.

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