| Hair Diseases |
| Karen Marie Shelton |
| Revised Date: 01/17/07 - Original Publication Date: 6/23/00 |
Introduction
There are several recognized diseases of the
Hair and the scalp.
Experts recognize the following non-contagious
hair diseases:
- Alopecia
- Hypertrichosis
- Canities
- Dandruff
- Trichorrhexis Nodosa
- Trichoptilosis
- Monilethrix
- Fragilitas Crinium
Experts also recognize the following contagious
hair diseases:
Tinea Capitis
Pediculosis capitis
Alopecia is the technical term for loss of
hair. The three most common forms of hair loss
are:
- Alopecia areata
- Pattern baldness which can impact both women and
men
- Telogen Effluvin
Hypertrichosis
Excessive hair growth can be as much of a problem as lack of hair
growth or hair loss. Hypertrichosis is specifically described
as excessively thick hair on the scalp which is also known as
extremely dense hair.
Excessive hair growth most often develops on the
face, on the upper lip, under the chin. Hair
growth on the face is often linked to an imbalance in
female some hormones such as estrogen. Excessive
face hair has also been linked in some cases to birth
control solutions and injected hormones.
Excessive hair growth is also linked to certain
ethnic groups and is often inherited.
Canities
The loss of the pigment melanin from the hair is a
natural part of the aging process. Canities is a
technical term that is used to describe the loss of hair
color. Like baldness, the tendency to have gray
hair is inherited. When hair turns gray before age
40 it is termed premature canities. Gray hair
tends to occur earliest for people with light skinned
pigment and later for people with darker pigments.
Although there have been some recorded instances of
someone turning gray overnight, it is relatively rare
and for most people occurs over a gradual period of
time.
Research has proven that gray hair may be linked to
the diet. It is also been estimated that supplying
the body with essential vitamins and minerals may help
slow the appearance of gray.
Dandruff
This is one of the most common scalp disorders that
human experience.
It can be easily recognized by small white flakes
that appear on any hairy region of the body.
Medial authorities have listed various causes for
dandruff including poor circulation and inadequte nerve
stimulation in the scalp. They have also linked it
to infection, unbalanced deity and improper grooming
habits.
Most experts agree that dandruff will spread if not
treated properly. However, dandruff is not
considered contagious.
There are basically two types of dandruff:
1. Dry Dandruff
2. Oily Dandruff
Dry dandruff can create social interaction problems
since it tends to leave an obvious trail of flakes.
Small dry flakes fall from the hair and easily
adhere to clothing.
Oily dandruff can be more troublesome than dry dandruff.
The scales mix with sebum and are difficult to brush
out. Medical treatment is usually the best way to
control oily dandruff.
Trichorrhexis Nodosa
This is knotted hair.
Trichoptilosis
Split ends
Monilethrix
Beaded hair
Fragilitas Crinium
Split hairs in general
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