Can dandruff cause hair loss? The Relationship With It Understanding
Dandruff is a notorious scalp disorder suffered by millions of people all over the world. It presents itself with flaking and itching of the scalp, tends to cause embarrassment and discomfort among the individual. Although it is mainly viewed as a cosmetic problem, it is fearful that dandruff could lead to bigger problems like hair loss. In this blog, the relationship between hair loss and dandruff will be identified and provided illumination on possible causes and suggestions on how it should be handled.
Introduction: The Hair-Loss Dandruff Connection
In most of the cases when one gets dandruff, it is a very irritating problem which can just come unexpectedly. These white flakes are tiny, and they appear on the shoulders most of the time and are very annoying and distracting because they keep on itching. However, is it possible that dandruff may result in hair loss? To get an answer to this question, we must submerge in the reasons of having dandruff and discuss how this condition may affect the growth of our hair. Although dandruff is not a direct hair loss cause, it may lead to thinning of hair and loss in certain instances.
This paper shall discuss what dandruff is, the possible impacts it can have on your hair and ways that you can avoid hair fall off and instead control this irksome head disorder.
Dandruff.
It would be important to know what dandruff entails and its formation process before proceeding to the connection it has with hair loss. Dandruff is a condition that involves excessive flaking of the skin particles on the head leaving behind dead cells. This over shedding leads to flaking skin that can be rather itchy and irritated.
Dandruff may develop due to several reasons, among which the following should be outlined:
- Seborrheic dermatitis: An infection which often brings about dandruff since it is red and greasy on the scalp and it leaves flakes on the head.
- Dry skin: Dryness of the skin on the scalp may make the skin cells fall off and result in flakes.
- Fungus: Malassezia which is a fungus can evoke dandruff by irritating the scalp.
- Skin disorders: Eczema, psoriasis, skin conditions, or any skin diseases are some of the things that can cause dandruff.
Causes of dandruff are thus understood and the inference therefore this causes dandruff to cause hair thinning or even hair loss in some other cases.
Is Dandruff a Cause of Hair Loss? Connection At Look In
The impact of Dandruff on Scalp Environment How Dandruff affects the Scalp Environment
A condition called dandruff does not specifically lead to hair loss, but it causes the development of unhealthy environment on the scalp and hence hair shedding. The excessive flaking can cause the scalp to become irritated and swollen leading to the impairment of the natural growth cycle of the hair follicles. The follicles can become weakened by this inflammation leading to the loss of thinning of the hair.
Also, in cases where one has to scratch the scalp as they continuously itch, the hair follicles might as well be destroyed further and this might result in a guarantee of traction alopecia. Such hair loss is due to physical destruction of hair follicles through excessive scratching or pulling of the hair.
The Role of Seborrheic Dermatitis as a cause of Hair Loss
It is the most frequent cause of dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis can contribute to hair loss as well. The condition causes the development of greasy and inflamed patches on the scalp, and it has the ability to disrupt the overall health of the scalp severely. The inflammation that is caused by seborrheic dermatitis can mean weakening of hair follicles with time resulting in thinning or shedding of the hair.
In seborrheic dermatitis, permanent hair loss would not be caused, but temporary hair loss may be produced. Otherwise, it may result in the further deterioration of the condition, deepening its impact on the health of hair.
Hair loss and Fungal Infections
Fungal infections are other factors which may cause hair loss among people with dandruffs. The fungus called Malassezia that is extremely prevalent in the scalp can grow in conditions that have excessive oil. Such an overgrowth of the fungus may cause inflammation, itching, and flaking. The inflammation may, in severe cases, affect hair follicles, which results in hair loss.
Fungal infections usually result in temporary hair loss but when they are not treated the damage can progress to extend beyond hair loss and hit some of the follicles hence resulting in a longer-term hair loss or fall.
Medical Explanation: The Connection Between Hair Loss and Dandruff
According to Dr. David M. Goldberg, one of the dermatologists who has more than 20 years of practice as a specialist in treating hair loss, dandruff and hair loss are related:
Although dandruff itself does not necessarily cause hair loss, the inflammation and irritation caused by dandruff can produce a less welcoming environment in which to grow heathy hair. In case of the simultaneous presence of dandruff and hair shedding, it is critical to address the problem of the scalp condition to eliminate further harm to the hair follicles.”
In his professional view, dandruff and hair loss situation should not be left unattended since it will affect the health of the scalp and enable hair to grow.
Management of the Dandruff and Hair loss
Since we have already highlighted the possible association between dandruff and hair loss, it is important to turn to the ways of treating the two conditions. The following are some of the best strategies that you can implement to treat dandruff and save your hair shedding unnecessarily:
1. Anti-Dandruff Shampoos
The use of anti-dandruff shampoos containing active components of zinc pyrithione, selenium sulfide, or ketoconazole is one of the most popular and popular methods of dandruff management. The ingredients preclude the development of fungus Malassezia which is a major cause of dandruff. These shampoos can help to reduce shedding of hair that can arise due to dandruff since they keep the scalp clean and reduce inflammation.
2. Condition the Scalp
Severe dandruff: a dry scalp can make dandruff worse and cause irritation. One can also use a moisturizing conditioner or oil, e.g., coconut oil or argan oil to soothe the scalp and minimize the dryness. Not only this would be beneficial in case of dandruff but it would also make the environment around the hair follicles healthier.
3. Too Much Scratching
Hair loss may occur due to constant scratching that has the potential to harm hair follicles. Stay out of the temptation to scratch your scalp and even apply the soothing products, that include aloe vera gel or tea tree oil, to lessen scratching and irritation.
4. Treat Co-Morbidity
It is necessary to find a dermatologist in case you have an underlying skin condition e.g. scorching dermatitis, eczema. The condition may require medicated remedies or the use of prescription shampoos to manage it and avoid more hair loss.
5. Take a Good Diet
Eating a healthy diet amounts to a diet that is rich in vitamins and minerals can help to maintain healthy hair growth and even prevent the occurrence of hair loss, these minerals and vitamins include vitamin D, zinc and biotin. Remember to include food that is beneficial to the scalp like the leafy greens, nuts, seeds, and fish.
Conclusion: Does Dandruff lead to Hair loss?
Overall, it is very clear that dandruff itself does not lead to a loss of hair directly, but it can play a part in a unhealthy scalp condition that weakens the hair follicle causing temporary shedding. Dandruff can also lead to thinning or loss of the hair as the result of damage to the follicles by the inflammation, irritation and scratching which comes with dandruff.
To avoid losing the hair due to dandruff, the dandruff should be treated based on its root cause e.g. seborrheic dermatitis or fungal infections and the scalp should be well taken care of by taking care of the skin and keeping it moisturised. You can treat dandruff and hair loss with effective help through proper medication and have a healthier scalp and growth of hair.
It is important to remember that you will have to consult a healthcare expert in case persistent dandruff or hair loss occurs to get the needed treatment of your scalp problem.
