Hair loss from scalp inflammation is more common than you think. Many people lose hair due to dandruff, psoriasis, and seborrheic dermatitis. These conditions cause inflammation and irritation on the scalp, leading to hair fall.
In this blog post, we will discuss the various causes of scalp-inflammatory hair loss. We will also discuss symptoms like redness, itching, and scaly patches. Understanding the causes can help you identify and treat the condition early.
Most types of hair loss caused by scalp inflammation are treatable. There are many effective treatments ranging from medicated shampoos to immunomodulators. You can stop hair fall and regrow new hair with proper care and early treatment. Having a healthy, inflammation-free scalp is key to maintaining a good head of hair.
What is Scalp Inflammation Hair Loss?
Scalp inflammation, also known as scalp dermatitis or scalp eczema, is a condition characterized by inflammation of the scalp skin. It is associated with itchy scalp, redness, and sometimes flaking or scaling.
While not all causes of scalp inflammation can cause hair loss, some can still lead to hair shedding. The hair loss on the scalp may become permanent if left untreated.
A Look at Your Skin and Scalp
All mammals, including humans, have sebaceous glands on their skin. These secrete an oily type of viscous matter called sebum. Although this may not sound very appealing, sebum is essential for lubricating and waterproofing our skin. The waterproofing bit is essential for our furry companions. We have the advantage of umbrellas to protect us from the rain after all. However, it still helps to understand this in the context of laser hair therapy.
Did you know that the Chinese were the first to coat parasols with wax to deter rain? Sebum works the same way. It works as a protective, waterproof coating on your skin. It is particularly plentiful in our faces and scalps.
Symptoms of Scalp Inflammation
Scalp inflammation occurs when the skin on the scalp becomes inflamed, leading to a range of symptoms. If you're experiencing hair loss due to scalp inflammation, it's essential to recognize the signs and take appropriate measures to manage and treat the condition. Here are some of the most common symptoms of scalp inflammation:
Redness and Irritation
One of the most common symptoms of scalp inflammation is redness. The affected areas of the scalp may look reddish and feel irritated or itchy. This happens due to increased blood flow to inflamed areas.
Scaly patches
Inflammatory conditions like seborrheic dermatitis can cause white or yellow flaky scales on the scalp. Dandruff also leads to scaliness, but the flakes are smaller.
Hair loss
Chronic inflammation can damage hair follicles, leading to excessive shedding and thinning of hair. The hair loss is usually most noticeable at the frontal hairline and temples.
Tenderness
Sensitive and painful spots may develop on the inflamed scalp. Washing, brushing, or styling the hair can become uncomfortable.
Oily scalp
There may be increased oiliness and greasiness on the scalp due to the inflammation disrupting normal sebum production.
Burning or soreness
A constant, irritating burning or soreness is often felt on affected areas of the scalp. This tends to worsen when the scalp is touched or scratched.
What Causes Scalp Inflammation
The term “scalp inflammation” is never really associated with a positive outcome. After all, who wants to be inflamed? So let’s take a look at what causes inflammation in the scalp and how that impacts hair loss.
Several factors can trigger inflammation, and an overproduction of sebum is one of them. This can occur if you have a hormone imbalance. Sebum clogs your pores as it oozes out, leading to pimples on your face if you’re in your youth or scalp inflammation if you’re older. This is why teenagers get acne and mid-aged people go bald.
Other causes of scalp inflammation include conditions like seborrheic dermatitis, scalp psoriasis, scalp ringworm, seborrhea, eczema, scarring alopecia, and a rare, genetically passed-on disease known as frontal fibrosing alopecia. You can potentially slow this type of temporary hair loss or permanent hair loss with certain medications, at-home treatments, and laser hair therapy. However, we need more clinical studies and research to fully test their efficacy.
Additionally, a fungal infection is also clinically proven to cause inflammatory responses. Unfortunately, it often resides between the epidermis and dermis junctions of the scalp, primarily affecting the hair root. Yes, you read this right. Fungus– the same kind that can spread in your toenails as athlete’s foot and can be caught with simple human contact. In fact, most people have scalp fungus and don’t know it.
Scalp inflammation is also common in patients undergoing radiation therapy. Radiation to the scalp can cause the skin to become irritated, inflamed, dry, and itchy. This is sometimes called "radiation dermatitis". The skin reaction typically starts about 2-3 weeks after the start of radiation therapy and can continue throughout the treatment period. Know more about how radiation therapy causes hair loss.
If you’ve just reached for your mirror, please put it back because you can’t see fungus with the visible eye. You can only see its unfortunate consequences, which are dandruff, scaly patches, and an itchy scalp. What you can do, however, is eradicate the invasive species. In the case of nails, we look to an OTC medication (a compound called tolnaftate). In the case of hair, you are prescribed a synthetic antifungal medication in shampoo form. The three most effective ones belong to the azole family and consist of climbazole, ketoconazole, and miconazole.
Scalp Inflammation Hair Loss Treatment and Prevention
Various factors, such as dermatitis, psoriasis, fungal infections, and allergic reactions, cause inflammation. Here are some treatment options for scalp inflammation and hair loss to prevent and address the condition.
1. Maintain good hygiene
Wash your hair regularly with a gentle shampoo to keep your scalp clean and free from dirt and excess oil. Avoid using harsh shampoos or products that contain irritating chemicals.
2. Avoid triggers
Identify any potential triggers that might cause inflammation, such as hair products, hair dyes, or styling chemicals. Avoid these triggers and switch to hypoallergenic or natural products.
3. Protect your scalp from the sun
Protecting your scalp is one of the best scalp inflammation hair loss treatment options since exposure to the sun can exacerbate inflammation. If you'll be spending time outdoors, wear a hat or use sunscreen specifically formulated for the scalp.
Read More: How Sunburn on the Scalp Can Cause Hair Loss?
4. Manage stress
You must practice stress-reducing techniques such as meditation, yoga, or regular exercise since chronic stress can contribute to inflammation.
5. Avoid scratching
Scratching the inflamed scalp can worsen the condition and lead to infection. If you have itchy scalp and feel the urge to scratch it often, apply a cold compress or use an anti-itch cream instead.
6. Use medicated shampoos
Depending upon the underlying cause of inflammation, you may use medicated shampoos containing ingredients like coal tar, salicylic acid, ketoconazole, or zinc pyrithione. Avoid shampoos with harmful ingredients like sulfates, parabens, and formaldehyde.
Learn More: Dry Shampoo vs Regular Shampoo
7. Consider dietary changes
Consider dietary changes as part of your scalp inflammation and hair loss treatment. A healthy diet of fruits, vegetables, and essential nutrients can support scalp health and reduce inflammation. Incorporating foods high in antioxidants, such as berries and leafy greens, can help combat inflammation.
8. Stay hydrated
Staying hydrated is an important part of treating scalp inflammation that can lead to hair loss. Drinking plenty of water and fluids like herbal tea helps to keep your scalp moisturized and prevents dryness and flakiness, which can contribute to inflammation. Keep a water bottle with you as a reminder to drink frequently throughout the day.
Diet To Treat Scalp Inflammation
Diet can play a significant role in managing inflammation in the body. Scalp inflammation can be caused by various factors, including skin conditions like psoriasis, seborrheic dermatitis, and eczema, as well as fungal infections and allergies. While dietary changes alone might not completely resolve these conditions, they can support overall skin health and potentially help alleviate some inflammation.
To treat scalp inflammation and hair loss, you should opt for an anti-inflammatory diet rich in fruits, vegetables, fatty fish, and whole grains, which can help reduce systemic inflammation. Also, go for omega-3 fatty acids, which are found in fatty fish, flaxseeds, chia seeds, and walnuts.
Avoid foods that can trigger inflammation or allergies. Also, reduce consumption of sugars and processed foods, which indirectly impact the skin.
What this Means for You
To summarize, any scalp inflammation, regardless of its causes, exacerbates female or male pattern hair loss and damages hair follicles. This is where using your laser hair growth caps/helmets comes in since laser hair therapy has been proven to decrease inflammation and restore each individual hair follicle for maximum hair regrowth. To fight off and treat scalp inflammation and increase the efficiency of your laser hair loss treatment sessions, it is thus crucial to incorporate a shampoo regimen that addresses all inflammation and fungus issues properly when purchasing the Theradome LH80 PRO.
Make the excellent decision to start at-home hair loss treatment sessions by investing in the Theradome. No more messy creams, no more visits to hair restoration clinics. Pressing the button of your laser hair growth helmet twice a week is all you need to do for your laser hair therapy to work at its best. Right? Not Exactly.
Why settle for good results when you can achieve fantastic results? What other tools should you arm yourself with for male pattern baldness and hair thinning on top of your laser hair growth helmet? Let’s examine this question more closely.
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