Posts Tagged ‘seborrheic dermatitis’

Scaly Scalp Prolems

Friday, December 4th, 2009

my scalpScaly Scalp

What causes itchy scales to appear on the scalp?  This is a relatively common occurrence and there are several possible causes.   Scales may be causes by psoriasis, dandruff, seborrheic dermatitis, or ring worm. 

 Scalp acne can become dry along with scalp pimples that occur especially around the outter edges of the hairline.

Psoriasis in the scalp causes thick silvery scales to appear over red areas.  It can be hard to get rid of, and quite itchy.  Psoriasis will often be present on other areas of the body as well. 

Dandruff occurs when skin cells are sloughed off too early.  This is not a dangerous condition but it is annoying to sufferers.  It also can cause scales along with mounds of stuck together dandruff flakes. 

Seborrheic dermatitis also causes scaly patches on the scalp along with flaking.  It may also be called seborrheic eczema.   These patches are often greasy and yellowish in color.  It may spread to eyebrows, face and upper chest.  

Ringworm is another possibility.  This is a condition which causes scales that may form a ring and sometimes cause hair loss.  It is more common in children. 

When treating scaly scalp patches it is best to stay away from products with chemical ingredients.  Chemicals will dry the scalp out causing additional problems.  The correct balance of oil is the key to a healthy scalp.   Oil is produced by the sebum gland.  If this gland is overproducing or under producing the scalp will be out of balance and problems can occur.  There are natural ingredients like zinc, thyme, sage, jojoba oil, and emu oil that work to create a healthy scalp.  Zinc cleans the scalp and regulates the sebum gland.  Thyme and sage are natural detoxifiers.

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Flaking Scalp Problems

Tuesday, November 24th, 2009

flakesFlaking Scalp

Why do so many people suffer from dry flaking scalp?  There are lots of contributing factors.  Some of the most common are cold winter weather, diet changes, dehydration, styling tools, and use of chemical ingredients in many shampoos and conditioners.   Some of the conditions that may result in flaking are dandruff or seborrheic dermatitis.    

Dandruff occurs when the natural skin renewal process of the scalp is not working correctly.  Instead of being sloughed off once they are dead, skin cells are sloughed off before they die on a scalp with dandruff.  It is usually relatively mild with small amounts of flaking and itch, but dandruff can be more severe.  Flakes can stick together causing large mounds of flakes to form on the scalp.   This is an uncomfortable as well as embarrassing condition for many people.     

Seborrheic dermatitis is characterized by scaly scalp with yellowish or white flakes.  It tends to be greasy and may have swollen red areas as well.  Seborrheic dermatitis may spread to the face and ears as well.  Many people find it hard to resist the urge to scratch with this condition.  Scratching causes irritation and sometimes infection. 

The underlying factor in most flaky scalp conditions is actually an imbalance in the scalp.  It is important to have the correct amount of oil on the scalp.  Too much or too little oil will lead to problems including flaking.  The majority of hair products contain chemicals that dry out the scalp and cause problems.  There are natural ingredients like zinc, jojoba oil, and emu oil that work to balance the scalp.  Zinc is a natural cleaner, and it works to regulate the sebum gland, which produces oil on the scalp.  Jojoba oil and emu oil are moisturizers for the hair and scalp.

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