Scalp Conditions That Cause Hair Loss

Hair loss, or alopecia, can be a disturbing and unwelcome event. A diseased scalp is one way in which someone can suffer from alopecia. Scalp disease can affect hair loss in different ways---hair can fall out in patches or clumps, and sometimes bald spots can form on the scalp. In other situations, the victim can be left with no hair at all. With time, however, the hair can return to its normal growth pattern.

What Is Hair Loss?

• Alopecia, or hair loss, can appear in many different forms. Alopecia areata is hair loss in certain patches. Alopecia totalis is complete hair loss on the head. Alopecia universalis is hair loss over the entire body, including eyebrows. Androgenetic alopecia is genetically based alopecia. Traction alopecia is hair lost through traction or tension. This usually takes place with ponytails, braids or other hairstyles that put stress on the hair follicles.

Diseases of the Scalp

• According to HairLossLibrary.com, one form of alopecia areata is tinea captitis, or ringworm of the scalp. This is a skin disorder that only infects children. It can cause bald patches, inflamed and pus-filled areas on the head. Children with poor hygiene and minor scalp and skin injuries are most likely to be infected. It is also highly contagious, and it can be easily spread to other children.

  Telogen effluvium is also a kind of alopecia areata. It can affect very small children as existing hair is replaced with new hair. Telogen effluvium can affect adults as well. Those who are very ill or subject to a great deal of stress are prone to it. If you notice large clumps of hair coming out in the shower and chemotherapy is not a factor, then telogen effluvium may be to blame. If redness and inflammation is visible, however, then another scalp issue may be the problem.

Treatment

• According to HairLossLibrary.com, there is no cure for tinea captitis or telogen effluvium. However, they are remedied with the passage of time. Tinea captitis often disappears around puberty. Since this is a version of alopecia areata, the child affected by it will fully regrow his hair within a year of the disease's disappearance. Telogen effluvium disappears within three to six months. The reason for such a quick turnaround time is that in this condition, there is more hair in a resting phase (also known as the telogen phase) than in a growing or shedding phase. Once the illness is over or the stress has disappeared, the hair naturally proceeds through the next two phases, which is shedding and new growth.

Effects

• Children in particular may find themselves the subject of unrelenting teasing due to hair loss. Other children may stay away from them for fear of catching whatever caused the hair loss in the first place. Adults may not suffer the same forms of ostracism, but may have to deal with stares and whispers. And since hair is often part of female identity, women in particular may find it difficult to deal with.

Solutions

• In the meantime, there are ways to hide one's hair loss. Wigs can be purchased for children or adults. Since the scalp is bare, care must be taken to avoid sunburn, so hats and scarves are an excellent method of protection. Partial hairpieces can also be used to hide bald patches on the scalp.