Does an Oily Scalp Cause Hair Loss?

An extremely oily scalp can cause hair loss in a person, especially if the person is afflicted with a disease called seborrhea. The hair loss resulting from an extremely oily scalp is not diffuse (throughout the scalp) but partial. This means the baldness is limited to a few isolated spots but is not permanent (unlike genetic baldness) and can still be remedied.

What Is Seborrhea?

According to the Sauer’s Manual of Skin Diseases, seborrhea or seborrheic dermatitis is simply another term for dandruff. This dermatosis or disease of the skin most commonly appears on the human scalp but may also appear in other parts of the skin.

Other region that may be affected include the ears, face, sternal area, intergluteal area and the pubic area. Scientifically, seborrheic dermatitis is not really a pathogen-caused disease. It is more of a simple condition that may develop disruptive or severe symptoms.

The basic output of seborrheic dermatitis is the scaly flakes that we call dandruff. While some people think that dandruff is the result of a very dry scalp and hair, this is not true. In fact, when you press a mass of dandruff between two tissue papers, a fatty, oily residue can be seen.

Debunking The Myths About Dandruff

There is actually no cure for dandruff. If you begin developing dandruff, you can only lessen the degree and frequency of its manifestations on your scalp. There is no pill or cream that can completely stop it. There are long-term remissions, but it doesn’t mean that it would not happen again.

Unlike what the myths surrounding dandruff state, seborrheic dermatitis or seborrhea does not cause permanent hair loss. However, this situation is possible if you ignore your seborrhea long enough. There’s nothing wrong with the oil itself; however, a very, very oily scalp can be the site of infection from pathogens and other parasitic organisms.

Here’s another myth that we wish to debunk; you cannot get seborrhea from using the comb of a person with dandruff. It is not contagious (like colds). While medical sciences are still unsure as to the exact etiology of this skin condition, researchers have been able to identify at least one important factor and it’s called the yeast Pityrosporum ovale.

Symptoms & Incidence Of Seborrhea

The symptoms of seborrheic dermatitis or seborrhea include redness and scaling of the scalp in different degrees. The scales are greasy. While it is unusual, there may also be excoriations from severe itching and secondary bacterial infections. If left untreated, lichen simplex chronicus may manifest afterward. The scratching habit should be avoided as much as possible to avoid secondary complications arising from the primary lesions.

The natural course of the disease varies depending on the age of the affected person, the particular season of the year and the treatment used. Since seborrheic dermatitis is not a disease, it is not possible to come up with a true cure. It should be noted that dandruff appears more stringently during the cold seasons of the year. If there is a lack of sunlight or heat, the condition may worsen. This condition also appears in infants (cradle cap).

• Explode More - Top Rated Hair Loss Treatments

• Read More - Best Hair Loss Products Reviews

• Click here and Read More Hair Loss Articles