Trichologist, Dr. Kari Williams is back with us again, dishing about hair & scalp health issues!
Scalp itch and flaking is a common occurrence in most people. The biggest problem is the misdiagnosis that occurs when these symptoms show up. The majority of people immediately assume that these symptoms mean dandruff, or even worse a dry scalp. I caution against running to these simple explanations of the discomfort in your scalp because when this happens, the wrong treatments are used with hopes of relief. How many of you have increased how much grease you use on your scalp when it itches or flakes? Yes, I see you nodding your head saying, "That's me." And how many more of you grab a heavily marketed anti-dandruff solution like Head and Shoulders or Sulfur 8? Lets grasp an understanding of what these symptoms mean and why it is important to diagnosis your scalp discomfort properly.
If you have an itchy or flaky scalp, it is a result from a scalp condition. Three of the most common causes are contact dermatitis, seborrheic dermatitis and folliculitis.Contact Dermatitis is the result of irritation or an allergic reaction to something that has come into contact with the scalp. Common causes are the chemical agents that are found in many shampoos, conditioners and other hair products. These chemicals can irritate the scalp and tend to make it overly dry and itchy. Sometimes contact dermatitis can also be a result from other irritants in the environment or systemic causes such as the food that you eat or stress.Folliculitis is an infection of the hair follicle and Staphylococcus aureus or other bacteria are often the culprits. Severe infections of the follicle can cause permanent hair loss and scarring of the scalp. The infection usually appears as small, white-headed pimples around one or more hair follicles.Seborrheic dermatitis is characterized by excessive flaking, particularly around the hairline. This particular scalp disorder is oftentimes mistaken as severe dandruff. The flakes in this condition are adhered to the scalp and may be have a yellowish tint, unlike dandruff which appears as powdery flakes that sit on the hair. Individuals suffering from this scalp condition may also experience itching and flaking on the forehead and behind the ears.It is imperative that you receive proper diagnosis of your scalp condition the moment you experience any symptoms. If your scalp condition is misdiagnosed it can become worse and possibly result in hair loss. Remember to check your symptoms. There are over the counter solutions that can offer relief, but depending on the severity of your symptoms you may need a prescription from a medical doctor. If you are located in the Los Angeles area and would like more information on how to recognize and treat common scalp disorders make sure you attend my upcoming educational seminar "All Things Natural." For more information visit: http://allthingsnatural.eventbrite.com .Special Note: Stay tuned to the site as one lucky Natural Chica reader will soon have the chance to win a ticket to attend Dr. Kari's educational seminar! *Mae*
