Hair Follicles & Scalp Infections

Any part of the human body can become infected, including the scalp. Many common scalp infections are caused by diseases affecting the hair follicles. There are different causes for these infectious hair diseases.

Causes

• An infectious hair disease can be caused by fungus, bacteria or parasites in the hair follicles. Each brings about different illnesses.

Types

• Piedra is a common fungal infection. Folliculitus is inflammation of hair follicles caused by bacteria. Demodex folliclorum, a parasite, causes infection in people who suffer from pattern balding.

Effects

• Piedra, which comes in two varieties (black and white), causes hair fibers to become weak and break easily. Patchy hair loss may also occur. An infection caused by demodex folliclorum triggers irritation. Folliculitus is likely to generate scarring and permanent hair loss.

Who Is At Risk

• Folliculitus affects 50 percent of children between the ages five and 10 and 75 percent of adults. Black piedra mostly affects people living in South America and Southeast Asia, while white piedra is more common in Europe and the southern United States.

Treatment

• Special shampoos with bases like azole or salicylic acid are used to treat Piedra. It is also common to have to shave off the hair. Demodex folliclorum is treated with pilocarpine gel.