De-clobbering Common Scalp and Hair Care Myths – Part I

Your mane is often an indicator of your health and several medicines and conditions could be affecting both of them. In other scenarios, better scalp and hair care is required.

In regards to scalp and hair care here are several eye-opening myths busters.

Myth:White flakes or dandruff could be spread due to using some other person’s hairbrush.

Dandruff is non-contagious. Though physicians are unsure how it is actually contracted, yet one conjecture is that it might be the result of fungal overgrowth. Other likely triggering factors comprise of excessive skin dryness or oiliness, too much or too little use of shampoo, and presence of psoriasis or eczema. Even as dandruff could cause major embarrassment and the scratchy feeling could be immensely vexing – dandruff does not pose any health risk.

Fact: Majority of Dandruff could be treated with OTC shampoo brands.

Hare Care Tips for Dandruff Treatment-For decreasing the build-up of lifeless skin cells of dandruff, one could opt for use of anti dandruff shampoo on an everyday basis, leaving the shampoo on the scalp for five minutes and then rinsing thoroughly. One would have to go through the inescapable trial-and-error technique for eventually zeroing down on a particular brand that would suit the best. In case one brand has stopped showing results then switching to another one. In case that option does not appear to be helpful then seeking medical advice on resolving the dandruff problem.

Myth: Everyday use of shampoo could be causal to seborrheic dermatitis

In case the flakes of dandruff are yellowish and greasy then it could be indicative of seborrheic dermatitis which is an inflammatory skin condition occurring due to presence of excessive oil glands on the facial and scalp region.

Fact: Yellow flakes develop due to several factors

Seborrhic dermatitis is caused due to hormonal, fungal and also neurologically related issues and treatment is analogous to that used for white flakes with anti-dandruff shampoo. Acute cases might require anti-fungal medications or steroid prescriptions.

Myth: Hair fall of a hundred a day reason for concern.

Fact: Though not an accurate estimate, still several specialists have estimated that normally a hundred or more hair might be shed on a daily basis which is not a reason to get alarmed or an indication of imminent baldness. Nearly ninety percent of a person’s one lakh hair follicles are in the process of growth at any given point of time whereas the other ten percent of them are in a state of rest or telogen state. The hair is then shed after nearly two to three months and a new hair would grow in its place and the growing cycle commences once more.

Myth: Sudden severe hair loss is always a health-related problem

Fact: Losing of clumps of hair might be indicative of a health problem though not necessarily in all situations

When the body faces a shock due to either operation, childbirth, intake of certain medicines, faulty dieting, acute stress, thyroid issues could thrust the hair into telogen state. Nearly after two months, one could notice hair fall due to a condition known as telogen effluvium, at times referred to shedding clumps of hair. In majority of the situations, a new-fangled growth emerges soon after. Getting examined by a physician would help in ascertaining whether telogen effluvium requires therapy.

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