Scalp Eczema And Hair Loss: Are They Connected?
ScalpEczemaorseborrheicdermatitiscanleadtominorhairfallbutitisnotinany mannerorformconnectedtothenormalhairfallcycle.Theyarenotconnected.
Thereisaveryspecificphenomenonofhairfallinthehumanbody.Thisisknownas thehairfallcycle.Assimpleasitsounds,thephenomenonisequallysimple.
Thehairfallcyclehasfourphases:
Anagen phase:
The Anagen phase of the hair fall cycle is the period wherein new hair follicles emerge from the roots and grow. This phase is, therefore, also known as the growingphase.Itisthelongestphaseinthehairfallcycle.Thisphasecanlastupto 3to4years.Thehairfolliclesthathaveemergedoutoftherootskeepgrowingand reach their full potential in this stage. The hair keeps growing and reaches its full length.Theyhaveaspecificlifespanandtheywillcontinuetogrowthroughouttheir lifespanduringthisphase.Thisphasealsohasthelargestnumberofhairfolliclesin them.Accordingtostudiesandresearch,almost90%ofthehairfolliclesinourscalp arealwaysintheAnagenorthegrowthphase.
Catagen phase:
Also known as the stagnant phase or the transition phase, this phase is one of the shortest phases in the hair cycle. This phase can last for an average of 10 days for any individual. In this phase, the hair on the scalp stops growing or the growth of the hair starts to lessen. The hair growth becomes stagnant. Sometimes, the hair follicles also detach themselves from the bottom of the hair shaft but still stay in placeandstaystagnant.Thishappensuntilthehairfolliclesenterthephaseknown asthetelogenphase.Itisestimatedaccordingtostudiesandresearchthatonly5% ofourhairisinthecatagenphase.
Telogen phase:
This is the time when the hair stays on the scalp without growing at all. The hair follicleswillneithergrownorwilltheyfalloffinthisphaseandwillstayonthescalp until they enter the last phase of the hair cycle. It has been observed that 10% to 15%ofourhairstaysinthisphaseatalltimes.Thisphasecouldlastforaperiodof anaverageof90days.
Exogenous phase:
Withthiswecometo thelastphaseofthehaircyclewhichisknownastheExogen phase or the shedding phase. In this phase which is also generally known as an extension of the Telogen phase by most experts and hence usually called the Telogen phase, the hair follicles start to fall off or shed from the scalp. The hair follicles could fall off while combing, brushing, styling, washing, etc. of the hair. In thisphaseyouwillloseyour50-100hairsdaily.Thisphaselastsfor60daysto150 daysforthehairfolliclesexperiencingit.
The hair fall cycle is a normal phenomenon and it is not a disease or a disorder in thebody. Thisisamannerforourbody to grow and replenish new hairbygetting ridoftheoldonesaftertheirlifespanhasbeencompleted.
Generally, when we go to the experts to have our hair health observed and scrutinised, wearetold that50 to 100 hair fall dailyisnormal. Thisisbecauseour hairfolliclesexperiencethehairfallcycle.Thereisnothingtoworryabout.
Now when we talk about scalp Eczema, it is Seborrheic Dermatitis. This is a condition in which there are patches on the head where the skin starts to become dryandflaky.Itisusuallyaccompaniedbyvariousothersymptomssuchasitching, rednessoftheskin,irritationoftheskin,scalyskin,oozingfromtheskin,discharge of fluid from the ear canal, oily/greasy/waxy scalp, burning sensation on the affected area, etc. It can make the scalp look dirty, dry and unwelcome. One of the main reasons for such a visual of the scalp when affected by scalp Eczema is the production of dandruff. It could be excessive and stubborn. Hair fall is also a commonconsequenceofthiscondition.
The fact that the hair follicles go through difficulty in growing through the scaly, flaky skin in this condition causes hair loss. Also, because this condition causes unbearable itching and irritation or burning on the scalp, excessive touching or scratching of the scalp can lead the hair follicles to get damaged and fall off or become extremely weak and vulnerable. You can face this problem at any age. However, we can find solace in the fact that this condition can be treated and the hairfallreversedandprevented.
ScalpEczemaisusuallyseenmoreinmenthanwomen.Butthisdoesnotmeanthat it does not affect women. This condition is not contagious. The reason why Scalp Eczema develops is when the sebaceous gland produces excessive sebum on the scalp.WhenthishappensaformofyeastknownasMalasseziastartstooverdevelop onthescalpcausingthescalp skintobeflaky,greasy, fullofdandruffandirritable. Thehairfollicleswill notbeableto thrivein such acondition and hencetherewill behairlossandhairthinningovertimeifnottreatedimmediately.
Hence,wecansafelyconcludethatthereisnorelationbetweenthenormalhairfall cyclethatwego through and Scalo Eczema. However, Scalp Eczemacould resultin minorhairlossorhairthinningduetocertainfactorsofthecondition.Thehairloss duringScalpEczemacanbereversedandtreated.
Eugenix Hair Sciences has one of the best hair transplant doctors in India. When consulting this clinic, the experts here will be able to enlighten one regarding the different types of hair fall and its causes. Scalp Eczema is not a major cause of hair loss.