If the skin on your head is itchy and flaking, you may have dry scalp. The condition occurs when your scalp loses too much moisture. Hair care products, the weather, age and various skin conditions can cause dry scalp.
Signs of an Unhealthy Scalp
Itchiness, redness, or inflammation. Burning, irritation, or pain. Extreme oiliness or extreme dryness. Excessive oil production.
Many types of scalp conditions share similar symptoms like itching, inflammation, skin flaking, and more. Therefore, to receive proper treatment, it's vital to consult with an experienced healthcare provider—such as a dermatologist— for a thorough examination and proper diagnosis.
Oxidative stress — AKA the release of free radicals, which damage the structure of skin cells and break down the components of skin — can contribute to poor scalp health. This happens when the natural antioxidants in your body are outpaced by free radicals, leading to hair thinning and hair loss.
If you are experiencing the following symptoms, a consultation should be scheduled with our medical team to alleviate your discomfort: Chronic itchiness. Reddish patches that are small and not easily seen or thick and inflamed. Flaking of the skin on your scalp, similar to dandruff.
Treatment for ringworm of the scalp requires a prescription-strength antifungal medication taken by mouth. The first-choice medication is usually griseofulvin (Gris-Peg). Alternatives might be used if griseofulvin isn't working or your child is allergic to it.
A person can often treat their scalp buildup at home by using a shampoo and conditioner most suitable for their hair. Avoiding certain products, keeping the hair clean and groomed, and moisturizing the scalp can also help. A person should talk to their doctor if they cannot get rid of the scalp buildup on their own.
Painful sores, blisters, or bumps that form on the scalp may be caused by: Infection of the hair shafts (folliculitis) or the skin (such as impetigo). An allergic skin reaction (contact dermatitis). Viral infections, such as chickenpox and shingles.
For mild dandruff, first try regular cleansing with a gentle shampoo to reduce oil and skin cell buildup. If that doesn't help, try a medicated dandruff shampoo. Some people can tolerate using a medicated shampoo two to three times a week, with regular shampooing on other days if needed.
Well, that depends. If you work out frequently, have an occupation that causes you to sweat profusely, possess an excessively oily scalp, or struggle with breakouts within your hair follicles, you may need to wash daily. Generally, it's best to leave at least a day between washes.
In the scalp, fungal infections often form circular, scaly, inflamed patches. Frequently, there can be temporary hair loss (hair returns when infection clears but if treatment is delayed and scarring results, permanent hair loss can be seen).
Head lice usually look grayish-white or tan in color, though they can camouflage. Adult lice are around the same size as a sesame seed. Lice eggs may look like tiny ovals on the hair shaft. Head lice are tiny parasites that live on the human head and feed on blood from the scalp.
Ketoconazole Brand names: Daktarin Gold, Daktarin Intensiv, Dandrazol, Nizoral. Find out how ketoconazole cream and shampoo treats fungal skin infections and how to use it.
If your hair follicles are damaged, you might notice one or all of these symptoms: Hair loss or hair thinning. Extreme dryness. Irritation, redness, or flakiness.
Second, an increase in stress can make your scalp produce more oil. This may disrupt your scalp's microflora balance, which often causes flaking and itching. (This is the same physiological reaction that can cause your skin to break out when you are stressed.)
Severe infections can lead to permanent hair loss and scarring, so it's important to consult your dermatologist when you suspect a scalp condition such as folliculitis. Oral medications and some antibiotic creams or lotions can be prescribed, if needed to solve this condition.
Bacteria trapped in the inflamed hair follicle can cause small pus-filled bumps called pustules to form. These red, oozing pustules look like acne.