It’s impossible to have healthy hair without a healthy scalp. Sometimes we tend to ignore the health of our scalp because we don’t notice the damage, or aren’t able to identify the signs because it’s not affecting the physical makeup of our hair.
It may be helpful, to gain a better understanding of certain types of scalp issues to be aware of any factors that can contribute to hair loss.
Dandruff
Just like the skin on our arms and legs, the skin on our scalp is constantly shedding and replacing itself. For the most part, dandruff symptoms are easy to identify.
If you have dandruff, you may notice unflattering white flakes in your hair, scalp, and sometimes on your shoulders or clothes. A severe build-up of these flakes may cause some itching and discomfort, requiring you to see your scalp specialist.
The shedding that takes place on your scalp becomes more noticeable when there is an imbalance of bacteria on your scalp or when you aren’t shampooing enough. Other factors such as stress, illness, nutrition, and hormonal fluctuations play a role by disrupting the scalp’s barrier.
Dermatitis
Dermatitis describes the condition in which your scalp appears dry, swollen, red and inflamed. In general, symptoms may include rashes, blisters, dry and cracked skin, itchy skin, redness, yellow flakes, and some swelling. Dermatitis symptoms can range from mild to severe depending on the person.
There are numerous types of dermatitis conditions. Some of the most common ones include:
- Atopic Dermatitis- better known as eczema, causing rough patches of dry and itchy skin.
- Contact Dermatitis- rashes, inflamed burning and itchy skin, or blisters caused by an allergic reaction.
- Seborrheic Dermatitis- which can cause redness of the skin, dandruff, and scaly patches most commonly on the scalp, but also other areas of the skin like the face or chest.
- Dyshidrotic Dermatitis- a skin condition in which blisters develop on hands and feet.
Certain types of dermatitis cases last longer than others depending on the exposure to allergens, hormonal changes, stress, and environmental factors.
Psoriasis
Psoriasis can occur all over your body but when it reaches the scalp, it can be severe causing redness, inflammation, scales, and sometimes itching. It can even spread to your forehead or the back part of your neck if left untreated.
Psoriasis usually isn’t responsible for severe hair loss, however if the scaling on your scalp is very tight, you may experience some breakage. Sometimes in mild cases, the symptoms are unnoticeable so it is important to have a scalp examination regularly.
The exact cause of psoriasis is unclear, but factors such as nutrition, allergies, stress, and untreated infections may contribute to the condition.
Treatments
At Nina Ross, we prioritize the holistic health of your hair and scalp. When treating clients with scalp issues, we remove the top layer of the scalp with topical treatments.
If you’re experiencing scalp issues, our Itchy, Dry, Flaky, Inflamed Scalp Treatment may be the best option for you. This will include an intense shampoo, hair mask, a warm steaming treatment and sometimes the use of infrared lamps.
Such treatments can give considerable relief, but repeat treatments are almost always necessary for the best recovery. With a few lifestyle adjustments, proper nutrition intake, and patience, you can make a difference in the health of your hair and scalp.
