10 Common Hair Problems – When to Worry and When to See a Doctor

10 Common Hair Problems – When to Worry and When to See a Doctor

1. Dandruff

• Description: A fungal infection causing flakes of dead skin on the scalp.
• Symptoms: White or yellowish flakes on the scalp, itchiness, redness.
• When to Worry: If over-the-counter shampoos don’t help, or if symptoms worsen.
• When to See a Doctor: If you experience severe itching, redness, or if flakes persist despite treatment.

2. Hair Loss (Alopecia; baldness)

• Description: Excessive hair shedding or thinning.
• Symptoms: Thinning or balding patches, excessive hair shedding.
• When to Worry: If hair loss is sudden, severe, or accompanied by other symptoms like fever or fatigue.
• When to See a Doctor: If you experience significant hair loss, especially if it’s sudden or accompanied by other symptoms.

Note: Hair loss is not usually anything to be worried about, but occasionally it can be a sign of a medical condition.

3. Autoimmune Disease

• Description: Excessive hair shedding or thinning, due to Autoimmune Diseases, e.g.:
  • Alopecia Areata, where the immune system attacks hair follicles, leading to hair falling out in patches
  • Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE, Lupus)
  • Hashimoto’s thyroiditis
  • Scalp psoriasis – can also lead to hair loss due to the inflammation and scaling on the scalp.
• Symptoms: Thinning or balding patches, excessive hair shedding.
• When to Worry: If hair loss is sudden, severe, or accompanied by other symptoms like fever or fatigue.
• When to See a Doctor: If you experience significant hair loss, especially if it’s sudden or accompanied by other symptoms.

4. Dry, Brittle Hair

• Description: Hair that’s prone to breakage and lacks moisture.
• Symptoms: Dryness, brittleness, split ends, frizz.
• When to Worry: If hair becomes increasingly brittle or prone to breakage.
• When to See a Doctor: If you’ve tried moisturizing treatments and hair still doesn’t improve.

5. Oily Hair

• Description: Excessive oil production on the scalp.
• Symptoms: Greasiness, weighed-down hair, itchiness.
• When to Worry: If oiliness persists despite regular washing.
• When to See a Doctor: If you experience persistent oiliness, itchiness, or redness.

6. Itchy Scalp

• Description: Irritation or inflammation on the scalp.
• Symptoms: Itchiness, redness, flakiness.
• When to Worry: If itchiness persists or worsens.
• When to See a Doctor: If you experience intense itching, redness, or if symptoms don’t improve with self-care. It can be caused by psoriasis.

7. Scalp Psoriasis

• Description: Autoimmune disease of the skin and scalp.
• Symptoms: Patches of thick, scaly, red or discoloured skin on the scalp, hairline, forehead, and behind the ears. It can be itchy and tight, and sometimes lead to temporary hair loss or bleeding.
• When to Worry: If itchiness persists or worsens.
• When to See a Doctor: If you experience intense itching, redness, or if symptoms don’t improve with self-care. Treatment involves applying medicated shampoos, scale-softening ointments, and topical steroids to manage the condition.

8. Frizzy Hair

• Description: Hair that’s prone to frizzing or unmanageability.
• Symptoms: Frizz, unmanageability, dryness.
• When to Worry: If frizz persists despite using moisturizing products.
• When to See a Doctor: If you’ve tried hair care products and frizz remains a persistent issue.

9. Scalp Acne

• Description: Acne or pimples on the scalp.
• Symptoms: Redness, inflammation, pus-filled bumps.
• When to Worry: If acne persists or worsens.
• When to See a Doctor: If you experience persistent or severe scalp acne.

10. Hair Thinning

• Description: Gradual reduction in hair density.
• Symptoms: Thinning hair, especially on the crown or temples.
• When to Worry: If thinning accelerates or is accompanied by other symptoms.
• When to See a Doctor: If you notice significant thinning, especially if it’s sudden or accompanied by other symptoms.