Scalp Conditions

There are a wide variety of conditions that can affect the scalp, and just as many causes for those issues. Everything from parasites to infections can cause hair loss, itching and rashes.

Most scalp conditions result in either hair loss or a skin rash. If you are experiencing hair thinning, brittle hair, itchiness, scaly patches, pain or tenderness on your scalp, a Riverchase dermatologist can help by determining the cause and developing a treatment plan that works best for you.

Many conditions that affect the scalp are hereditary (passed down in families through genes). Scientists have yet to uncover the triggers that set off these diseases in some people but not in others. Scalp conditions from ringworm and parasites are known to be caused by infections. Still others are the effect of an illness or poor nutrition.

Some of the major causes of hair loss are alopecia, autoimmune disorders, malnutrition and diseases of the endocrine gland.

Skin rash, otherwise known as dermatitis or eczema, is a symptom caused by any one of a number of factors, including allergic reaction, irritating substances, another medical issue or your genetic makeup. Common symptoms of a scalp rash include itchy, red, painful and irritated skin. Blisters or patches of raw skin may occur. Typically a rash will clear up fairly quickly, but others are lifelong problems that can be minimized with consistent care and the help of a dermatologist.  

Other scalp conditions include scleroderma (a rare disease of the skin and connective tissue), birth defects, rejection of a medical procedure such as a bone marrow or stem cell transplant and parasites such as lice that are common among school-aged children.

Although there are no cures for some of these scalp conditions, treatment can successfully minimize symptoms, and scalp infections most often can be eliminated if you seek help early. Some conditions may be identified by a simple visual examination, while others may require laboratory testing to find out the cause of the problem. A Riverchase dermatologist will prescribe a customized treatment plan for you depending on your diagnosis, family and personal health history, lifestyle and personal preferences.

If you are experiencing hair thinning, brittle hair, itchiness, scaly patches, pain or tenderness on your scalp, a Riverchase dermatologist can help by determining the cause and developing a treatment plan that works best for you. Options involve hair regrowth prescription medications or other types of scalp medicine to help control autoimmune and endocrine disorders.

Over-the-counter medicated shampoos can help control dandruff. Infections like ringworm and parasites can be cured using medicated ointments or washes that kill the fungus or insect. Surgical hair transplants are available when regrowth medication doesn’t work, and wigs provide a solution as well.