Friday, July 19, 2013

Hair Loss, Itchy Scalp - Causes and Mitigation


Ever felt persistent itches on your scalp, scratched it and came away with loose strands of hair? If this is you, you're not alone. Many people have problems with hair loss and itchy scalps, but they do not know the causes of it.

Sebum is secreted by the scalp and helps to protect the hair. It lubricates the hair, keeping it smooth and silky and also nourishes the hair follicle. Too much of a good thing can be bad, however. If too much sebum is produced, it can cause irritation, redness and flaking. The scalp and hair feels oily and the more your scratch your scalp, the worse the problem becomes.

In such a case, it's a good idea to shampoo and condition your hair, rinsing your hair thoroughly. This is to clean your hair and scalp of any dirt, or residue from styling products. Dirt or product residue can cause or further irritate the condition.

But when it comes to shampoos and conditioners, it's also important to check that these are suitable for you. When buying a new shampoo, don't go for bulk. Buy a small bottle and test it out for a week or so. Does it cause itchiness? This is especially true for people with a sensitive scalp. If your new, or even current, shampoo or conditioner is a probable cause for the irritation, change to another one and see if it helps. In the long run, such irritation may cause hair to drop, or the thinning of hair.

Take care to not get caught in the rain. If you do get caught in the rain, wash your hair as soon as you reach home. Rain water contains chemicals that get absorbed as rain drops travel through the air, and when your hair is wet with such chemical-laden rain, the chemicals may cause the scalp to get inflamed and hair problems may result.

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