Scalp Pruritus, popularly known as itchy scalp and hair loss, are common problems many people experience. They both can affect just anyone. Both can be highly discomforting and frustrating.
In certain instances, itchy head and hair loss correlate, with one leading to the other. In contrast, other times, they exist independently. For instance, itchy hair is more likely to lead to hair loss than the likelihood for hair loss to lead to Scalp Pruritus. This suggests a link between the two, which is what this article is set to unveil.
Meanwhile, you must know that hair loss is first natural. According to dermatologists, everyone is said to lose between 50-150 hair per day. However, losing a significant part of the hair becomes unnatural and should call for professional medical attention.
Next is the problem of an itchy head or scalp. As a rule of thumb, many factors can cause our hair to fall off. Some of these factors can be mild, and others can be severe.
In this article, we’re be looking at common factors that can lead to both conditions and how we can prevent or treat them.
Factors that can lead to itchy scalp and hair loss conditions
- Allergy
- Disease
- Heredity
- Hormonal changes
- Aging etc.
Common medical conditions that can lead to hair loss and itchy scalp
The real worry comes when the condition becomes a combination of an itchy scalp and hair loss. This indeed is a serious problem that needs adequate medical attention.
However, not all causes of hair loss and itchy scalp are disease-oriented. But as we shall see, some of them can result from causes other than hair and scalp irritation problems.
Eczema
Eczema creates inflammation, flakes, and scaly patches on the head or scalp that can cause excessive itching. These reactions on the hair, coupled with excessive scratching, usually lead to a temporary hair loss condition.
However, hair should grow back once the condition is treated. But suppose the condition persists and becomes severe, especially without proper treatment. In that case, it can damage the hair follicles, leading to a permanent hair loss condition.
Symptoms include dry, scaly, and itchy, scaly skin.
Cause of Eczema
Allergy stands as the primary known cause of Eczema. An allergy is simply an unusual reaction of your body to certain substances, which is often hypersensitive. Allergy can stimulate Eczema through several means;
- Immune system overreaction: The immune system can sometimes overreact to allergens. This overreaction often leads to inflammation of the head or scalp.
- Hereditary: People whose Family lines have a long case of Eczema are more likely to experience this condition, except if stringent precautions are taken to prevent it.
- Surrounding condition: This includes the immediate physical and biological conditions surrounding the head, including humidity, temperature, sweat, dryness, etc.
Treatment
There’s currently no cure for Eczema. However, treatment options exist to alleviate symptoms and hair skin. These treatments vary in type. Some are oral, others are topical. So, get professional guidance as to which will solve your problem.
Dandruff
Dandruff on the scalp is commonly attributed to overactive oil glands. When hormones surge, the skin’s oil production goes up a notch, and dandruff develops in the teen years.
At this point, I’ll need to note that while our hair needs to be kept oily, an accumulation of it can become detrimental. It can become a breeding environment for fungi and other yeast.
So, what is dandruff?
Dandruff (also known as seborrhea) is caused by a scalp and hair follicles yeast infection. Accumulated oil on the hair often becomes the breeding condition for this yeast. The yeast can weaken the hair root and cause temporary hair loss and inflaming and irritating the scalp. This inflammation is causing your head to itch.
When dandruff is severe and untreated for a lengthy time, it can lead to severe itchiness and often result in permanent hair loss.
Symptoms and causes
Popular symptoms included itchy scalp, skin flakes, hair loss scale, etc.
The popular cause of dandruff is oily skin, dry skin, and Malassezia fungal infection.
Treatment
I am glad to inform you that you can successfully control dandruff if you put the right precaution in place. To decrease oil and skin cell buildup, consider regular cleaning with a soft shampoo. Also, a medicated dandruff shampoo may assist.
Hair and scalp products come in several forms: solutions, foams, gels, sprays, ointments, and oils. You may need to try many products to discover the right one for you. A repeat or long-term treatment is probable. However, you’re to stop using any product that causes itching or stinging. If you get a rash, hives, or difficulty breathing, visit a doctor right once.
Ringworm
Also known as Tinea capitis, the ringworm is also a common hair condition and, for most, causes severe itch to the head and easily leads to hair loss.
Ringworms eat deep into the skin, therefore, weakening hair follicles. The result is that the hair becomes malnourished and begins to fall.
Common symptoms include severe itch on the head, flakes, patchy hair, etc.
Treatment
The treatments for ringworm vary based on the size and severity of the illness. In many circumstances, your doctor may prescribe an over-the-counter (OTC) medicine special prescription.
Some of the medications used are; Clotimazole, fluconazole, ketoconazole, itraconazole, griseofulvin etc.
Allergies
Hair product allergies can irritate the scalp and hair follicles. An itchy scalp is often a common response to these allergies, and persistent inflammation can damage hair follicles and cause hair loss.
Many allergy treatments and drugs relieve itching. If a product causes an allergic reaction, stop using it and try a different brand. Using mild products with fewer harsh chemicals may help.
Planopilaris
Planopilaris is an itchy, inflamed scalp condition caused by a malfunctioning immune system. It mostly affects young adult women and causes areas of hair loss and scalp:
Common symptoms include scaling, redness, burning, bumps, and blisters on the scalp.
It might cause irreversible scarring of the hair follicles hence leading to hair loss.
Treatment
Treatment focuses on symptom management and preventing disease progression. Corticosteroids, anti-malarial medicines, antibiotics, and retinoids are employed. These can be injected or used topically.