Scaly scalp conditions

There were also representatives of beauty, nail and spa services. It was an opportunity to learn any and everything that is new in the beauty industry, since specialty classes were offered.

I was happy and encouraged to see so many beauty professionals from Trinidad and Tobago in attendance and actively participating in the training programes on offer.

I must congratulate all those who took the opportunity to invest in their education and exposure in the field.

This augurs well for our local industry.

Hats off to you and keep up the good work. This week will continue to focus on pityriasis and the causes, signs, and symptoms of seborrheic dermatitis.

Dermatitis is the general term for inflammation of the skin (including scalp), which may lead to hair loss.

In clinical sessions we see men and women with signs of regular dandruff (pityriasis), pityriasis amiantacea, steatoid pityriasis, seborrheic dermatitis, and hair loss from itching (pruritus) of the scalp.

Pityriasis amiantacea is a condition where there are sticky, overlapping scales covering the scalp and clinging to the hair shaft.

These scales can be moist in the early stages.

Also the skin can become red and inflamed.

The scales may become hard and crusty.

Occasionally, one will see blood, if these scales are torn away from the scalp.

In my years of practising trichology, I have only seen and treated three extreme cases of this scalp disorder with success.

Pityriasis steatoides (oily dandruff) is a condition of the epidermis (surface skin) and appears as larger oily-like scales that adhere to the scalp and is caused by over activity of the sebaceous glands, which produces excessive sebum that aids in fungus accumulation. This can often lead to bleeding and bad odour of the scalp.

Since pityriasis steatoides is often mistaken for Seborrheic dermatitis, let’s take a look at this disorder.

Seborrheic dermatitis may cause skin to look yellowish and may be oily or, dry and flaky.

This is the result of the hyper-activity of sebaceous (oil secreting) glands of the body. It may even look like regular dandruff (pityriasis).

Seborrheic dermatitis most often occurs on the entire scalp, or can be confined to the frontal area of the hairline, it can also spread to the face, behind the ears, eyebrows and along the creases of the nose and on the chest (mostly in men).

Seborrheic dermatitis is one of the most common scaly scalp conditions seen by trichologists in the Caribbean and worldwide.

It is considered a minor scalp disorder for which the treatment results are amazingly good.

The skin/scalp must be thoroughly cleansed before applying the treatment.

However, though treatable and controllable, this condition is not curable.

Clients should be encouraged to return for periodic treatments to keep this condition under control. It is important to note that some hair and scalp chemicals, including oils and pomades will cause further irritation and worsen this condition.

The condition is also aggravated by stress (chronic or traumatic stress), since stress affects the immune system, giving rise to these maladies.

Just to emphasise the difference, pityriasis steatoides has a bad odour while seborrheic dermatitis has no odour.

You must bear in mind that multiple scalp disorders, could occur at the same time, therefore, proper diagnosis is the key to a successful treatment.

Germaine Williams-Beckles is a Doctor of Trichology (DT) http://www.geesexclusive.com, 627-4659. Email your questions at queries@geesexclusive.com