Scalp Conditions
Conditions causing itchy and flaky scalps can be a real problem, as well as being extremely uncomfortable. Often people are embarrassed by the white flakes falling onto their clothes. If this sounds familiar, let us help you with tried and tested treatments that help to manage most conditions relieving the relentless itching and stopping the flaking.
Dandruff
Dandruff is a very common, annoying complaint, caused by the skin on the scalp reacting to a certain type of yeast. Dandruff is complexly manageable, with the correct shampoos and hair care regime.
Psoriasis
This condition is a ‘speeding up’ of the replacement of skin cells and is categorised as an autoimmune disorder. Typically, it takes around a month for the skin to go through its normal growing and shedding cycle, with Psoriasis this process all happens within a week, causing a build-up of dead skin cells resulting in Psoriatic plaques. These can form on the head or in other areas of the body such as the elbows and knees.
There are medical treatments that can be used to alleviate the condition. When psoriasis forms on the scalp there are some very effective Trichological treatments that can be given that will help to manage this condition, calming the inflammation and removing the build-up of dead skin.
Seborrhoeic Eczema
Individuals suffering from seborrheic dermatitis have an overabundance of Malassezia, a yeast that is normally found on the skin. It is a chronic relapsing inflammatory scalp condition, which occurs in the seborrheic areas of body i.e. the area with most sebaceous glands. The effect of this condition ranges from mild and itchy, through to excessive scaling, inflammation and secretions. In babies, this condition is often referred to as ‘cradle cap’.
Diet and some medications can cause this condition, but it can be effectively managed with specialist Trichology treatments.
Contact Dermatitis
There are 2 types of dermatitis, irritant and allergic.
Irritant dermatitis is an immediate reaction to substances such as bleach or detergent, whereas allergic is a delayed reaction to an allergen, for example, a hair dye. This is why it is so important to do a ‘patch test’, before any colour or in-salon treatment is used, to eliminate and/or reduce the risk contact dermatitis.
Neurodermatitis
Neurodermatitis, is also called lichen simplex, and is a very itchy eczema patch that becomes worse through continued rubbing or scratching. It usually presents as a single patch at the nape of the neck. A combination of medicinal and Trichological treatments can be very effective at controlling this condition.