Unhealthy Scalp: Symptoms, Causes, And Treatments

by triocean from Getty Images

• Symptoms of an unhealthy scalp encompass itching, burning, scalp bumps, excessive oiliness, severe dandruff, and hair loss, often serving as indicators of underlying issues.

• An itchy scalp may result from various causes such as allergic reactions to hair products, seborrheic dermatitis due to yeast overgrowth, and atopic dermatitis causing chronic itchiness and scaly skin, each requiring different treatments like avoiding allergens, using medicated shampoos, or seeking medical help for severe cases.

• Dandruff, characterized by shedding dead skin leading to white flakes, can be managed using medicated shampoos, aloe vera for inflammation, and scalp repair treatments, while severe cases may evolve into seborrheic dermatitis marked by oily scales and scalp redness.

• Scalp acne, caused by clogged hair follicles due to dead skin cells or excess sebum, has various triggers like infrequent hair washing, specific hair products, and organisms like fungus or bacteria, with treatments involving topical solutions containing salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide, alongside hygiene practices and scalp repair treatments for deep cleansing and buildup removal.

• Excessive scalp oil can cause itching and seborrheic dermatitis, aggravating dandruff, yet it's essential for scalp health; managing oiliness involves adjusting washing frequency, proper shampooing techniques, avoiding silicone-based products, and scalp repair treatments for natural oil balance.

An unhealthy scalp can lead to discomfort and hair issues that go beyond just dandruff. Understanding the symptoms, causes, and available treatments is crucial in maintaining a healthy head of hair. From itching and irritation to more severe conditions, exploring the signs and solutions for an unhealthy scalp can help you take better care of your hair and overall scalp health. In this comprehensive guide, we'll delve into the various symptoms, root causes, and effective treatments to restore your scalp's well-being.

Research And Statistics

• Over 75% of people in the world suffer from an itchy scalp. [1]

• According to past research, dandruff affects approximately 50 percent of the general adult population worldwide and is more prevalent in males than females. [2],[3]

• Acne usually shows up on your face, chest, and back. Almost 80% of people aged 11 to 30 deal with acne. But pimples on your scalp aren't so common. Unlike typical acne, scalp acne isn't restricted to a specific age group and tends to occur more in adults. [4]

• 20% of people suffer from an excessively oily scalp. [5]

by HENDY WILLIAM SINO from Sino Studio

Symptoms Of An Unhealthy Scalp

Our scalp often lets us know if something is amiss. Common symptoms of an unhealthy scalp include:

• Itching

• Burning

• Bumps on the scalp (pimple, acne)

• Extreme oiliness

• Extreme dandruff

• Hair loss

Itchy Scalp

Do you have an itchy scalp? There could be a few reasons behind it.

by Mikhail Azarov from Getty Images

Causes

Allergic reactions to hair products

If you have an itchy scalp and a rash, it might be allergic contact dermatitis. This is common in hair dye users, especially with chemicals like para-phenylenediamine (PPD) in black dyes. Allergies to shampoo or conditioner can also cause an itchy rash on your scalp and wherever the product touches your skin.

Treatment for allergic reactions to hair products

To ease allergic reactions, find and avoid the chemical causing the issue. Identifying it might need specialized tests from a dermatologist. Consider switching to natural, gentler products without harsh chemicals to calm your scalp. Your sensitive scalp might need time to heal and get back to being healthy.

Seborrheic dermatitis

Another common but more severe cause of an itchy scalp is seborrheic dermatitis, a skin condition that causes dandruff. It’s your body’s inflammatory response to an overgrowth of yeast, and leads to itching and flaking.

Treatment for seborrheic dermatitis

For mild cases, use over-the-counter shampoos with selenium or zinc pyrithione to control yeast. Severe cases might require prescription-strength antifungal shampoos, topical cortisone or medicated foam, solution, cream or ointment. You may also want to consider going for a scalp repair treatment at scalp and hair specialist centers.

Atopic dermatitis

Atopic dermatitis is the most common type of eczema. It’s a chronic condition that causes itchy, dry, scaly skin and can affect any part of your body, including your scalp. Periods of itchiness and rash may come and go throughout your life, and could interfere with sleep, school, or work.

Treatment for atopic dermatitis

While atopic dermatitis can't be prevented, you can manage it to reduce itchiness. See a dermatologist for medications like antihistamines if your scalp continues to itch despite other treatments.

Scalp repair treatment at scalp and hair specialist centers help to manage itchy scalps.

Dandruff

by Africa images

Causes

Little white flakes signal an old-fashioned case of dandruff. It can be annoying when the flakes fall on a dark shirt. Dandruff is simply a buildup of shedding dead skin.

You can't pass dandruff to someone else, and it's not risky, but it can make your head itchy and uncomfortable. The good news is, it doesn't usually cause redness or scabs on your scalp.

It’s fairly easy to control by washing your hair more often with a medicated shampoo.

However, there is a more severe form of dandruff – seborrheic dermatitis. In more severe cases, you’ll see a reddening of the scalp and a lot of oil. You may also see reddish, greasy crusty scales between your eyebrows, and around your nose and ears. According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), it’s common in those with oily skin or hair, acne, or psoriasis.

Treatment for dandruff 

Aloe vera

Aloe vera is a natural remedy for dandruff that’s been supported by older research. Its use may be derived from its potential to control inflammation that leads to flare-ups.

Medicated shampoo

If you have a mild case of dandruff, using an over-the-counter dandruff shampoo can be helpful. Look for these ingredients on the label:

• Ketoconazole

• Salicylic acid

• Selenium sulfide

• Sulfur

• Tar

• Zinc pyrithione

Gently massage a small amount of the dandruff shampoo onto your scalp or affected area. Don't scrub too hard, as it might irritate your skin. Leave the shampoo in for 5 to 10 minutes (follow the bottle instructions), then rinse. Experiment with different shampoos until you find one that suits you. To prevent a dry scalp, switch between your dandruff shampoo and a regular moisturizing one.

Scalp repair treatment

Consider getting a scalp repair treatment to help ease scalp inflammation and deeply cleanse your scalp.

Aloe vera, a natural remedy for dandruff, is one of the ingredients used in Ooosh!™ Scalp Repair Treatment.

Scalp Acne

by nymphoenix from Getty Images

Causes

Scalp acne refers to the pimples and breakouts that develop on the scalp or hairline.

Scalp acne can develop when hair follicles become clogged by a buildup of dead skin cells or excess sebum, which can lead to inflammation in the hair follicle. Sebum is the natural oil produced by sebaceous glands to form a protective barrier on the skin. Similarly, folliculitis is an inflammation or infection of the hair follicle, the sac that contains the root of the hair. It's usually caused by bacteria (usually staphylococcus) that find their way into the hair follicles from a nearby infection. The difference is that scalp acne refers to pimples scattered throughout the scalp, whereas folliculitis refers to infections and/or inflammation around the hair follicles.

There are several reasons a person’s pores can get clogged or inflamed. It can get clogged if they do not wash their hair frequently or they regularly wear headgear that causes friction against the scalp. The AAD notes that some people may develop bumps or pimples on their scalp when using certain shampoos, conditioners, or hairsprays. This particular type of breakout is called acne cosmetica, which refers to scalp acne that develops upon using products that come into contact with the hair or skin. Furthermore, organisms like fungus, mites, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Propionibacterium acnes can also lead to inflammation.

Treatment for scalp acne

Topical Treatments

You might need special medicated treatments for scalp acne. These can be bought without a prescription and come in different types:

• Salicylic acid: This is a common ingredient used in skin care products to fight acne. Salicylic acid helps to clear dead skin cells by breaking down the bonds between them.

• Glycolic acid: This acid can help exfoliate the scalp and remove dead skin cells, bacteria, and sebum.

• Ketoconazole: An antifungal agent, ketoconazole is used to treat red or scaly skin.

• Ciclopirox: Ciclopirox is an antifungal agent used to treat skin infections and is often added to dandruff shampoos

• Benzoyl peroxide: An antibacterial ingredient, benzoyl peroxide helps to eliminate the bacteria Propionibacterium acnes, which can be present in scalp acne.

Hygiene Practices

• Keep your scalp clean to prevent dirt, oil, and sweat from clogging your pores. Wash your hair more frequently, especially if it gets oily or if you use lots of hair products or sweat a lot.

• Make sure to rinse off all shampoo and conditioner thoroughly from your scalp and face. Pimples along your hairline might be caused by leftover product buildup.

• Clean everything that touches your head, like pillowcases, hats, headscarves, bedsheets, and blankets. Residue from hair products can transfer and worsen scalp acne.

Scalp Repair Treatment

Consider getting a scalp repair treatment to deeply cleanse your pores and remove excess buildup. Make sure the scalp and hair specialist center you visit uses natural products that rinse off easily from your scalp and hair. 

A scalp repair treatment will deeply cleanse your pores and remove excess buildup that causes scalp acne. Make sure the scalp and hair specialist center you visit uses natural products that rinse off easily from your scalp and hair.

Excessive Oil

by doucefleur from doucefleur's Images

Having too much oil on your scalp can lead to itching and seborrheic dermatitis, feeding the dandruff-causing fungus.

However, you shouldn't remove all the oil as it protects your hair and keeps your scalp healthy. Here's how to handle the grease without harming your hair or making your scalp irritated.

Treatment for excessively oily scalp

Wash more often

If your hair gets really oily, consider shampooing daily. It helps remove extra oil, debris, and leftover products from your scalp.

Wash less often

Surprisingly, washing less could help. Overwashing can strip natural oils, making your scalp produce more oil. Adjust how often you wash your hair if it's oily by day's end even after daily washing.

Proper shampooing

Gently massage a small amount of shampoo into your scalp, avoiding aggressive scrubbing. Avoid using your nails or creating unnecessary friction on the strands. Focus on your scalp, not the length of your hair.

Clean your brush

A clean brush matters. Use shampoo or gentle soap to clean it from styling products and oils. Remove loose hair after each brush to keep it clean.

Avoid products with silicone

Many products, including shampoos, conditioners, creams, and styling products, are made with silicone to help smooth hair and add shine. Skip products containing silicone (like dimethicone or cyclomethicone). They can build up on the hair and make hair look greasy, dirty, and weigh it down. Also, they might block beneficial moisture from your hair.

Scalp repair treatment

Consider opting for a scalp repair treatment to naturally balance oil production. Scalp and hair specialist centers also provide better shampoos that maintain a healthy oil balance for your scalp and hair.

Scalp repair treatments help to naturally balance oil production on your scalp.

Scalp Repair Treatment At Ooosh!™

Ooosh!™ Scalp Repair Treatment includes the incorporation of advanced tools like tricho-analyzers, thermal infrared mist, along with exclusively natural and botanical ingredients in all our patented Ooosh!™-developed products such as our hair masks, shampoo, and serum.

This treatment effectively resolves prolonged scalp problems:

• Itchy scalp

• Dandruff

• Scalp acne

• Excessive oil

Naturally resolve your scalp problems with Ooosh!™. There’s a solution to your frustration. 

6 sessions is all it takes.

Visit us at our center or contact us at +6011-69304599 to make your appointment.