DISORDERS AND

DISEASES OF THE
SCALP AND HAIR
REVIEW
 DANDRUFF
Scaly, crusty scalp in infants with
cradle cap is a symptom of
______?
 HIRSUTISM
It is an excessive hair growth pattern
in female and a common cause is
polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCO
S)
.
 SPLIT ENDS
Rubbing shampoo throughout your
hair during the washing process can
cause ______.
GIVE THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF
SPLIT ENDS
Dandruff
is a common condition that causes
the skin on the scalp to flake. It
isn't contagious or serious. But it
can be embarrassing and difficult
to treat. Mild dandruff can be
treated with a gentle daily
shampoo. If that doesn't work, a
medicated shampoo may help.
Symptoms may return later.
Dandruff is a mild form of
seborrheic dermatitis.
Symptoms
• Dandruff signs and symptoms may include:
• Skin flakes on your scalp, hair, eyebrows,
beard or mustache, and shoulders
• Itchy scalp
• Scaly, crusty scalp in infants with cradle cap
• The signs and symptoms may be more
severe if you're stressed, and they tend to
flare in cold, dry seasons.
Causes
• Dandruff may have several causes, including:
• Irritated, oily skin
• Dry skin
• A yeastlike fungus (malassezia) that feeds on oils on
the scalps of most adults
• Sensitivity to hair care products (contact dermatitis)
• Other skin conditions, such as psoriasis and eczema
Dry scalp
can occur when the skin on your head
loses too much water or moisture. The
condition can cause itching and flaking.
The skin on your scalp gets irritated and
flakes off. There are various reasons
why your scalp may be dry. Some hair
care products can dry out and irritate
your scalp. Weather and age can also
affect your scalp. But more serious skin
conditions can also cause dry scalp.
What’s the difference between dandruff and dry scalp?

• Dry scalp and dandruff can both cause an itchy, flaky scalp. This
can sometimes make it hard to tell the difference. However, excess
oil causes dandruff, and loss of moisture causes dry scalp.
• When you have too much oil on your scalp, your skin cells can
build up. Your scalp may appear red, oily and scaly. The scales
quickly flake off, and then dandruff appears. Dandruff looks like
larger pieces of dry skin flaking off your scalp. It frequently
comes and goes and is a very common condition
 What causes dry scalp?
• The products you use on your hair could be causing
contact dermatitis. Contact dermatitis is a reaction to something
that causes itchiness and irritation. Many hair care products dry out
your hair by stripping it of its natural oils, which can leave your
scalp irritated.
• The weather could also be causing your condition. Environments
with low humidity and areas located in cold climates can dry out
the skin on your scalp. In addition, as you get older, your skin starts
to dry out. However, the condition can occur for more serious
reasons.
These conditions may include:
1. Psoriasis is a long-term (chronic) skin condition that
causes your skin cells to grow too quickly. This rapid
growth makes your skin cells pile up on the surface of
your skin in patches.
2. Tinea capitis, or scalp ringworm, is a fungal
infection of the skin on your scalp. Tinea capitis
spreads very easily. You can get it through direct
contact with other people and animals. It is a
highly contagious infection that’s usually spread
through person-to-person contact or by sharing
combs, towels, hats, or pillows Tinea capitis can
live for a long period of time on infected surfaces
and objects
3. Actinic keratosis, or solar keratosis, is a type of precancerous
sun damage caused by unprotected sun exposure. It’s most
common in people assigned male at birth who’ve experienced hair
loss, because they have less protection from the sun. Actinic
keratosis is also common in people who are age 50 or older who
spend a lot of time outdoors without sun protection. Genetics and
family history can also play a role.
Ringworm of the scalp (tinea capitis)
Ringworm of the scalp is not really a worm,
but a fungal infection. It gets the name
ringworm because the fungus makes
circular marks on the skin, often with flat
centers and raised borders. Also
called Tinea capitis, this infection affects
your scalp and hair shafts, causing small
patches of itchy, scaly skin.
 Hirsutism
• Hirsutism is excessive hair
growth in females in the beard
area, around the nipples, in a
male pattern on the abdomen
(diamond-shaped pubic hair)
and often elsewhere. A common
cause is
polycystic ovarian syndrome (
PCOS)
Head Lice
Head lice are tiny, crawling
insects that live in the hair on a
person’s head. The lice feed on
blood sucked from your scalp
and lay eggs (called nits) that
firmly attach to the hair exposed
at your skin’s surface (hair
shafts)
 What are the symptoms of head lice?
• The most common symptom of head lice is itching, especially
on the back of your head and neck and near your ears — areas
where lice are more likely to live.
• Symptoms of head lice include:
• Feeling like something in your hair is moving (tickling).
• Itching.
• Sores from itching and scratching.
• Difficulty sleeping.
• Head lice are most active at night, which can disrupt sleep.
 How can I prevent head lice?
• Avoid head-to-head contact when playing.
• Not share hats or items that they put on their head with others.
• Do not share combs, brushes, or towels. Disinfest combs and
brushes used by an infested person by soaking them in hot water
(at least 130°F) for 5–10 minutes.
• Do not lie on beds, couches, pillows, carpets, or stuffed animals
that have recently been in contact with an infested person.
SPLIT ENDS
These splits happen when the tips of your
hair split in two, creating a Y-shape, and
occur due to the hair's cuticle being worn or
damaged, oftentimes by the friction created
from over-styling or overbrushing your hair.
 What Causes Split Ends?
• There are several factors and habits that can lead to the
development of split ends. These factors and habits include:
• Rubbing shampoo throughout your hair during the washing
process
• Not using conditioner
• Allowing your hair to come into contact with harsh chemicals such
as the chemicals in swimming pools
• Using a towel to rub your hair dry
• Brushing your hair after a shower while it’s still wet
• Using blow dryers, hot combs, and/or curling irons
frequently and on high settings
• Applying long-lasting hair styling products
• Securing your hair in a tight ponytail, bun, braids, or
other updos
• Wearing hair extensions and weaves
• Using professional hair treatments such as perming,
coloring, or relaxing your hair
What Do Split Ends Look Like?

1. Double Split: The most common type of split end,

and the one that is the easiest to recognize, is the
double split. These splits happen when the tips of
your hair split in two, creating a Y-shape, and occur
due to the hair’s cuticle being worn or damaged,
oftentimes by the friction created from over-styling or
overbrushing your hair.
Partial Split

2. Partial Split: A partial split is similar to

that of a double split but occurs on a smaller
scale. Fortunately, partial splits are not that
serious—usually occurring when your hair is
dry and has sustained some damage.
Tree Split:
3. Tree Split: If you notice that your hair has
strands that are split into several different
places and look similar to a tree with branches
sticking out, then you have what is known as a
tree split. These split types signal that your
hair is damaged and requires proper trimming.
Hair shedding (telogen or anagen
effluvium)
Hair is in a constant cycle of growth, rest and renewal. It
is natural to lose some hair each day. Some conditions
that cause abnormal hair shedding include pregnancy,
severe illness, certain medication and chemotherapy.
Chemotherapy is a course of drugs taken by people with
cancer as part of treatment. A common side effect is hair
loss.
Alopecia areata
Alopecia areata is a disease that
happens when the immune
system attacks hair follicles and
causes hair loss. Hair follicles
are the structures in skin that
form hair. While hair can be lost
from any part of the body,
alopecia areata usually affects
the head and face.
There are three main types of
alopecia areata:
• Patchy alopecia areata. In this type, which is the most
common, hair loss happens in one or more coin-sized patches
on the scalp or other parts of the body.
• Alopecia totalis. People with this type lose all or nearly all of
the hair on their scalp.
• Alopecia universalis. In this type, which is rare, there is a
complete or nearly complete loss of hair on the scalp, face,
and rest of the body.