Does bad hair mean bad health?

Is your hair trying to tell you something about your health? Perhaps. Some conditions and medications affect your body as well as your hair. In other cases, you may just need to take better care of your hair or scalp. Use this pictorial guide to see what separates myth from fact when it comes to your health and your hair.

White flakes pose no health risk

Dandruff isn’t contagious. So how do you get it? Doctors aren’t sure, but one theory is that it may be due to an overgrowth of a fungus. Other possible triggers include skin that’s either too dry or too oily, shampooing either too often or not often enough, and having eczema or psoriasis. While it may be embarrassing - dandruff isn’t harmful.

Tips for dandruff treatment

To decrease the buildup of dandruff’s dead skin cells, try using an anti-dandruff shampoo daily. Leave shampoo on for five minutes, then rinse well. You may need to try several dandruff shampoos to find one that works best for you. If one stops working, try another. If that doesn’t help, seek medical advice.

Yellow dandruff?

If the dandruff flakes you see are greasy and yellow, you may have seborrhoeic dermatitis. It’s an inflammatory skin condition that can occur where there are lots of oil glands, as on the scalp and face. Though seborrhoeic dermatitis may be related to hormones, fungus or even some neurological problems, it’s treated in a similar way to dandruff: with anti-dandruff shampoos. More extensive cases may need a prescription steroid or antifungal medicine.

You may shed more than you think

It’s not a perfect measure, but some experts estimate that we may shed up to 100 or more hairs a day. That’s not cause for alarm, nor does it mean you’re going bald. About 90% of your 100,000 hair follicles are producing hair at any given time. The other 10% are in a resting (telogen) phase, and the hair falls out after about two to three months. It’s replaced by new hair and the growth cycle starts over again.

What causes telogen effluvium?

A shock to your system - surgery, giving birth, some medications, crash diets, severe stress, thyroid problems - can push hair into its resting, or telogen, state. About two months later, you may see hair falling out - a condition called telogen effluvium, sometimes described as hair “coming out in handfuls.” In most cases, new hair starts growing right away. Seek medical advice if you are concerned.

An attack on hair follicles

In alopecia areata, your immune system mistakenly attacks hair follicles, causing hair to fall out - often suddenly. Most of those affected will have one or two bald patches, but in some cases all body hair falls out. Alopecia areata isn’t harmful, but it can be difficult psychologically. Hair may grow back on its own, or with treatment. Unfortunately, some people don’t respond to treatment and may experience alopecia areata repeatedly.

Genes cause 90% of male hair loss

Though hereditary, the trait may be more influenced by your mother’s family than your father’s. So a look at your maternal grandfather’s locks may give you a better clue about the future of yours. Male pattern baldness often starts with receding hair at the temples, then on the crown, leaving a horseshoe-shaped ring of hair around the sides of the head.

How female-pattern baldness happens

Hair loss in women tends to mean hair thinning all over the head. Unlike men, women rarely go bald and they tend to lose hair more slowly than men do. Other myths: Long hair will put a strain on the roots.. or shampooing pulls hair out.

Neither are true.

Avoid sun damage to hair

Too much sun can turn your hair into a brittle, dry mop that breaks and splits easily, and if you already have thinning hair, you risk a sunburn on your scalp. Choosing hair care products with sunscreen provides some protection, although it can be hard to coat your hair evenly. That’s why it’s a good idea to wear a hat when you’re out in the sun - especially if your scalp is exposed.

Luscious locks need nutrients

Could a crash diet cost you your hair? In extreme cases, it could. Your hair needs protein and iron to stay healthy, along with omega-3 fatty acids, zinc and vitamin A. Very low calorie diets are often lacking in these nutrients and can stunt hair growth or leave hair dull and limp. If the nutritional deficiency is big enough - such as in someone with an eating disorder - hair can fall out.

A hair and heart healthy diet

Salmon for omega-3 fatty acids, spinach and carrots for vitamin A, Brazil nuts for selenium and oysters and walnuts for zinc. All may help maintain scalp and hair health, as may low-fat dairy products, wholegrains and vegetables. Double the results: foods good for your hair are also good for your heart.

Premature grey hair is genetic

Going grey isn’t always related to ageing. If you’re not yet 40 and see more than a few grey hairs, the chances are it runs in your family. Grey usually isn’t a sign of poor health, although anaemia, thyroid issues, vitamin B12 deficiency and vitiligo can cause premature greying. You can highlight or colour hair to cover the grey, but beware: some people are sensitive to the dye’s chemicals. The result is an itchy, burning scalp.

Traction alopecia damages follicles

Pulling hair too tight - as can happen with ponytails, braiding  and cornrows – can damage hair roots and cause hair to break or fall out. Hair extensions and hairpieces can sometimes cause traction alopecia, too, because their extra weight pulls on existing hair. Changing your hairstyle usually lets hair grow back. Pulling hair back tightly for a long time, though, can lead to permanent hair loss.

Over styling weakens your hair

Blow drying, using straighteners, bleaching, even over-brushing - all can damage the outer layer (cuticle) of your hair. When the inner core of hair is exposed, your locks become dry and dull. Although it doesn’t cause any permanent health damage, you can over style to the point that your only option for healthy hair is to cut off the damaged ends and start again. When it comes to your hair, doing less leads to healthier tresses.

A surprising side effect

A wide variety of medications list hair loss as a possible side effect. Usually, hair grows back when the medication is stopped, but may not in some cases. Check the information leaflet for possible side effects of hairloss.

Scalp massage feels so good

There’s no evidence that massaging your scalp will slow hair loss or improve any scalp conditions - but it can do wonders for your brain. Your scalp is covered with nerve endings that make it super sensitive to touch. Rubbing your scalp increases blood flow and may release tension. It also triggers your brain to release feel-good hormones like dopamine and serotonin.

Hair analysis not reliable

Some companies claim they can analyse hair clippings to see if you are deficient in vitamins or have health problems. While hair analysis can detect some poisons like lead or arsenic, findings may be inconsistent and varied. Everything from air pollution to shampoo can change your hair’s mineral makeup. The NHS does not recommend hair analysis for food allergy testing.

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