#9 How Much Do You Know About The Scalp Diseases? (Video) | Dr. Shabari Arumugam

Do you know the various types of hair loss?

Do you have dandruff?

Go ahead!

Hello! This post is based on the research article “An overview of scalp dermatoses in a tertiary care institute”.

Scalp Dermatoses

I feel privileged to write this post, since I'm part of this research study.

In this post, I have tried to summarise the general key points and the most common scalp diseases, which a common man must know.

Scalp though constitutes only 4% of the body surface area, plays a major role functionally and aesthetic wise.

With respect to skin and hair, in human societies, original functional roles of protection and heat conservation are now secondary, and changes in the appearance of skin and hair, which affect self-esteem and confidence in social settings, have become primary.

• The good condition of the scalp has a considerable effect on the patient's psychological well-being and social interaction.
• Scalp diseases are more common in children and young adults.

• Males are affected more than females 
• The most common symptoms are itching and hair fall.

The most common scalp diseases are Psoriasis, Alopecia areata (a type of hair loss), Seborrheic dermatitis (dandruff), Tinea Capitis (fungal infection) and Male pattern hair loss.

If you want to know more details about the study, do read our original article.

Majority of the world's population experiences scalp related symptoms at some point or the other. 

Some of the images of scalp diseases are attached.

Scalp diseases

Please go through the images. If you have such problems, get it treated by a certified dermatologist at the earliest. More images in the original article.

Each condition deserves a separate post on its own!

I will try to make you clear on some key points about each condition...

Psoriasis:

• Psoriasis is a common skin disease. They affect the scalp too!

Patients with psoriasis have a reduction in their quality of life similar to or worse than patients with other chronic diseases, such as ischaemic heart disease and diabetes.

• It can only be controlled and please don’t expect a complete cure.
• Psoriasis in scalp per se is difficult to treat.

Some individuals misinterpret scalp psoriasis as dandruff until diagnosed by their dermatologist!

Hairfall:

• There are numerous causes of hair loss.
• Broadly, hair loss may be non-scarring or scaring
• Hair regrowth is possible only in the non-scarring type & not in the scarring type.
• So before starting treatment for hair loss it is necessary to know the causes of hairless!
• The attached image shows some types of hair loss
• First image: There is only a patchy hair loss (some areas with no hair whereas other areas have normal hair growth). It's called ALOPECIA AREATA (a fancy name by us).

• 

  Different types of Hairloss
  Source: A Sight into the Skin
  Author: Dr Shabari Arumugam

  Second image: This is the common type seen in males and is androgenic (caused by male hormone). It's known as MALE PATTERN HAIR LOSS.
• Third image: This type is due to self plucking of hair. Commonly seen in children and young adults. This indicates that the patient is under stress and needs a Psychiatrist opinion. It's known as TRICHOTILLOMANIA (We are great at coining fancy names!)
• Fourth image: This is the scarring type of hair loss. Here the chances of hair regrowth are minimal. So don' expect hair regrowth!

Seborrheic dermatitis (dandruff)

Seborrheic dermatitis is common at three age groups

1. First three months of life 
2. During puberty
3. Adulthood

It is common over the scalp, face, chest, back, axilla and groin.

The first line of treatment for Seborrheic dermatitis is over the counter shampoos.

If still uncontrolled, seek a dermatologist’s opinion

Tinea capitis (ringworm in the scalp)

• Ringworm does occur in the scalp.
• It is common in children.
• It looks like a patchy hair loss with itching.

• “Avoid sharing combs, headgear and other personal items to protect your child from Tinea capitis”

• Children acquire the disease mainly in school’s.
• It has to be treated by a certified dermatologist at the earliest to prevent complications.

There are still a variety of scalp diseases, to which people don’t give importance at the early stage. So it’s wise to seek a dermatologist’s opinion if you have any scalp diseases and avoid taking medicines on your own / or from local pharmacies. 

If you wish to get a newsletter from this blog, do Subscribe!

Bottom line:

Changes in the appearance of scalp and hair affect self-esteem and confidence in social settings. Proper management of scalp dermatoses is essential to improve the quality of life of the patients.

If you wish to get a newsletter from this blog, do Subscribe!

P.S: Follow us on INSTAGRAM and FACEBOOK! 

Source: Ramesh A, Sampath V, Shabari A, Mukesh MJ. An overview of scalp dermatoses in a tertiary care institute.Int J Res Dermatol2020;6:304-12