Common Scalp Problems

A healthy scalp helps to ensure a healthy head of hair. However, many people worry more about styling their hair and neglect to take care of their scalp. Some are lucky enough not to have a continuing scalp issue, but what are the most common scalp problems others must face?

Dandruff

• Not to be confused with dry scalp, dandruff flakes are large white or brown dead skin cells on the scalp or in the hair that fall off onto the neck and shoulders. Often the flakes are oily and may have an odor. Dandruff sufferers also experience redness and itchiness of the scalp, and not properly and thoroughly rinsing after a shampoo worsens the problem.

Dry Scalp

• When the scalp is dry, it feels tight, becomes itchy and forms dry scalp flakes that are smaller than dandruff. The flakes fall when the hair is combed or brushed.

Oily Scalp

• The body has a large collection of glands on the face and scalp that secrete an oily substance called sebum. If an excess of sebum is produced, the condition is called seborrhea. This process occurring on the scalp bears responsibility for the greasy hair look. Someone with an oily scalp may feel greasy crusts when touching the scalp, and he may scratch hard due to intense itching and cause inflammation. Babies up to 3 months old and adults over 40 are most likely to have scalp oiliness. In babies, the condition is called cradle cap, a yellow and oily crusting around the head.

Scalp Acne

• Acne on the scalp is linked with excessively oily skin and can occurs on the upper forehead, along the hairline or over the entire scalp. Mild scalp acne is smaller and forms on the forehead and along the hairline. More severe scalp acne is large, black and inflamed; these are usually cysts caused by mites, yeast, bacteria or other microorganisms. If the acne is really bad, it can lead to lesions that greatly damage hair follicles and cause hair to fall out.

Hair Loss, Thinning and Breakage

• Hair loss, thinning and breakage affect most people as they age, though it can start during the teenage years. Genetics play a part as well; men with a family history of hair loss might go completely bald, while women may find their hair thins out. On average, a person loses up to 100 hairs each day. In addition, a person can suffer from hair loss, thinning or breakage due to hair pulling or twisting habits, lack of protein and/or iron in the diet, or damage from hair care products such as dryers, curling irons or straight combs, and perms.

Other Common Scalp Problems

• Tiny insects without wings called head lice are common in school-aged children, and they cause itching and red patches on the scalp. Ringworm, an infection of the outer scalp layer, looks like a clear circle with raised, worm-shaped edges from which the rash spreads outward.