Hair scalp diseases cause plenty of discomfort and embarrassment. Here are some hair scalp diseases that you probably did not even know about.

Hair scalp diseases could cause excessive hair loss, thinning and breaking of hair, as well as balding. Balding in certain parts of the head are quite common among people and most of them are related to aging and genetics. However, hair scalp disorders may or may not always be associated with hair loss.

• Psoriasis

Psoriasis is one of the hair scalp diseases that can progress enough to cause localized hair loss, excessive dandruff, and severe itching of the scalp. Genetic predisposition and varied environmental factors are a couple of the possible causative factors behind this scalp disease. Psoriasis is a disease marked by itchy, scaly patches that are red in color wherein the scars almost resemble severe burns on the body.

• Alopecia Areata

This scalp disease is also known as ‘spot baldness’ which causes extreme hair loss in some or all parts of the body, usually in the scalp area. This happens because the body fails to recognize its own cells, thus destroying its own tissues which leads to the development of bald spots on the scalp. Alopecia areata is one of the hair scalp diseases that is most likely to be a hereditary condition. Alopecia areata affects one or more hair-bearing areas in the scalp and may cause localized balding in the other areas. It is generally seen among patients with a family history of diabetes, vitiligo, and thyroid diseases. This kind of scalp disease is characterized by several round bald patches in the scalp. It may also result in ridging and in the nails.

• Ringworm of the Scalp

This kind of hair scalp infection is called tinea capitis, and is very common among children across the globe. Scalp ringworm is caused by a fungus infection that is named after its circular shaped appearance on the scalp. Dermatophytes (fungus) infect particular tissues in the hair, nails and skin. Certain dermatophytes form scaly patches such as the scalp ringworm.

• Head Lice

A head lice infestation is the most common form of hair scalp diseases that causes excessive levels of itchiness and scratching that leads to soreness of the scalp. The scratching is caused due to the infestation of the louse that is constantly crawling on the scalp. This scalp condition can be treated by using medicinal oils and therapy. However, the process may take a long time to completely cleanse the scalp of head lice.

• Hair Shaft Abnormalities

The hair scalp disease called trichorrhexis nodosa (also called bamboo air) is a defect characterized by thickening or thinning of the hair shaft that causes the hair to get weak and break off very easily. Most common abnormalities of the hair shaft are monilethrix (hair getting beaded), pili torti (twisting of hair), etc.

• Diffused Alopecia and Excessive Hair Loss

Hair loss can be referred to as excessive shedding of hair or balding. It is one of the common hair scalp disorders faced by a lot of people today. Balding can leave a scar in certain areas of the head. Hair shedding is caused due to telogen effluvium. In this condition, the hair roots are pushed prematurely into the resting surface due to some stress or shock. It can be characterized as acute or chronic. Shedding of hair may take a few months to stop. It may take close to a few years to achieve normal hair growth again. In the case of chronic telogen effluvium or diffused alopecia, the hair cycle is much faster than normal. Most women suffer from diffused non-androgenic balding. Diffused hair thinning could also be caused by certain other internal diseases such as syphilis, systematic lupus erythematosus, and iron deficiency.

It must be understood that most of these hair scalp diseases can also be the result of stress, unhealthy diet, excessive exposure to pollution, and just plain genetics. Therefore maintaining a good and hygienic lifestyle is the key to improving your condition. If any of the symptoms of these hair scalp diseases persist over a long time, seek immediate help from a dermatologist to get it under control as soon as possible.