Image details: Man’s shaved head served by picapp.com

Often psoriasis that attacks the scalp can result in hair loss, although it is most often temporary. Either hair loss or psoriasis can be traumatic, but put both together and you might feel like life as you know it has just ended. It doesn’t have to be the case.

Big flakes of skin that look like the worst case of dandruff ever and sometimes cause bleeding is definitely alarming, but there are some things that you can do.

1. Go to your hairstylist. They can make recommendations like whether you need to see a dermatologist, or whether a simple scalp treatment and some exfoliation will get rid of the problem.
2. Be careful when removing the scales, you don’t want to pull out anymore hairs than you have already lost to this condition. Using a scalp product especially made for psoriasis can help loosen the scales,which will make it easier for removal.
3. Men – shaving your head is a definite option. The extra sun rays that your head will help reduce the reproduction of skin cells, and help prevent lesions.
4. Wear a hat or a cap, but from a breathable material. Head scarves are also a nice option.
5. For the ladies – your hairstylist is going to be your best friend here. The stylist can give you a great new haircut, which will minimize the appearance of flakes. Stylists can also help you with product selection, and accessories.

I know that scalp psoriasis is unsettling. But it doesn’t have to be permanent. Just make sure you see the appropriate people – and ask loads of questions.

And remember brushing your blow drying your hair will help with the problem. Its all about the exfoliating.

For more information about psoriasis, there is a great site called Psoriasis Connections.

Post from: Blisstree

What to do about Scalp Psoriasis

The conclusion of this study reported in Scientific America, states

The results of this study suggest that male pattern baldness is not a surrogate measure of an important risk factor” for heart attacks or for atherosclerosis without symptoms

So now that we know that just because we are bald, does not mean that a heart attack is in our future – what other things can we worry about?

Post from: Blisstree

Baldness and Heart Attacks are NOT Linked

I am always looking for simple reasons to explain why some people are bald, and some aren’t. I know that genetics are involved. But there are lots of other reasons to. This morning, I came across an article by Darren Wong in the Los Angeles Chronicle, which gives fairly simple explanations – that are accurate.

Here is his breakdown

1. Major Illness or Surgery – It’s true! And usually the hair loss is temporary. Illness is the reason why my hair falls out. I am not bald, but I do have hair loss issues. It is due to long bouts of mono and chronic fatigue syndrome. My hair always grows back, when I am feeling better. But when my health is on the downside – the hair kind of falls out.

2. Hormonal Problems – got an under or over active thyroid? Both can cause havoc with your hair. It’s easy to fix though. Go see your doctor – they can help even things out.

3. Autoimmune Diseases – like alopecia areata, and chances are you already know about this – since you found your way to this blog.

4. Post Pregnancy – now I just heard about this a couple of weeks ago, when a friend of mine was telling me that her her hair fell out after she had her baby. It took about 3 months after the loss of her hair, for it to grow back in. Makes sense really. Pregnancy and post pregnancy can do some weird things to a woman’s hormones.

5. Fungal Infections – I don’t know enough about this subject to comment on, but I am sure that it’s treatable with some anti-fungal medication you can get from your doctor.

6. Medication – medication can definitely do some damage to the hairline. Anti-depressants, birth control pills, too many vitamins – the list is ongoing – can cause temporary hair loss. Always talk about the side effects of medications with your doctor and pharmacists. It makes dealing with unexpected symptoms, much easier.

If you would like to read what Darren Wong had to say on his choices for reasons of hair loss, go here.

**Picture Source – flickr

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Six Simple Reasons for Baldness

According to the Department of Research Writing at Quick Hair Loss Treatment Centre in Atlanta, studies are showing that swimming in chlorinated pools can result in hair discoloration and hair loss. OK this doesn’t seem like entirely big news to me. When I was a kid we all knew someone who once had blonde hair that turned green – because they swam everyday. I hadn’t heard about it in awhile, but I guess that has really never gone away. There are hair care products that can prevent your hair color from turning – and if it does, there is always a quick fix.

Now the hair loss part is tricky. I know that chlorinated water can damage your hair. I have spent enough time in pools to know that after a while, my own hair feels like straw -and I wished that I was brave enough to shave it off, and start again. But I didn’t know that you could actually lose it. I guess it makes sense. Chemicals cause damage. If you spend a lot of time in a pool, you might want to consider wearing a swim cap, or make sure you are using hair products specifically designed for hair that spends a lot of time in chemically treated water.

To know more about this development, go here.

**Picture Source – flickr

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Swimming Can Cause Baldness

Is your hair starting to thin? Perhaps a visit to your dentist, is in order. Researchers in Granada, are now saying that localized alopecia is closely connected to the infections of the teeth.

As reported by the WSCOTV Eyewitness News,

We have found that bald patches caused by tooth infection are not always in the same place. They normally appear on a line projected from the dental infection and can thus can be located on the face at the level of the maxillary teeth, above a line through the lip-angle to the scalp, beard, or even to the eyebrow. Nevertheless, they can also be located far from infection outbreak.

I find this to be a really interesting development. Right after I first was having problems with hair loss (which I attribute to recurring bouts of mono), I had to have a cyst/tumor removed from under the root of a lower molar, and because of it – I also lost the tooth. Are they linked? In my case, probably not. It was really the first time I have ever had any kind of dental problem. In this instance it was a freak thing that happened close to the time of the hair loss.

But I will always be wondering now. And I am going to start paying attention to the warning signs.

Want to know more, go here.

Picture Source – flickr

Post from: Blisstree

Bad Teeth Linked to Baldness

Last week on Oprah, a very special episode was aired. For the first time in 22 years, the audience was completely comprised of men. I know…unheard of, right. The reason for this was, Dr Mehmet Oz hosted the show entitled 300 Men Ask Dr Oz. One of the subjects discussed on this show was baldness.

According to Dr Oz (from The Oprah Winfrey Show),

Hair loss happens when two hydrogen molecules DHT (dihydrotestosterone) attach to testosterone. This poisons the hair follicles and causes them to change from making normal hair to peach fuzz like material, which is what going bald is all about.

Here is a brief rundown of what was talked else was talked about on the subject.

• MYTH – the baldness gene does not come from only your mother. You have two parents, the gene can come from either side.
• MYTH – if you cut your hair short, it won`t grow back any faster. Hair only grows about half an inch per month.
• Losing hair can be directed by the weather. Springtime, which is when your testosterone levels are at your lowest point, is when you will lose the least amount of hair.
• Home remedies such as baking soda or lemon (or the ashes of chicken dung and lye) do NOT work.
• The only solutions to hair loss are medications that block DHT production – and they will not help you grow new hair – but will only prevent the hair that you do have to stop falling out.

Image Source – Rolfing – Structural Integration

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Baldness and its Myths Are Discussed on Oprah

• Mange – Causes by the mite, Demedox, is it treatable with medication.
• Seasonal Alopecia – Certain breeds are susceptible, and it can be treated with over the counter Melatonin.
• Fungal infections – Ringworm is one example, and these are created with prescription medications.

All three require a veterinarian to diagnose accurately.

I grew up with dogs – shelties and goldens – and we never to my knowledge had to deal with any of these. I do remember the occasional bald patch on a leg or at the base of the tail. Typically this was due to an injury or insect bite that the dog wouldn’t leave alone. Constant gnawing and licking eventually wore the fur away. Controlling the dog’s behavior was still important, though. Otherwise, the wound would never have a chance to heal.

image

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Dog Gone Hair

The more callous among us would tell the residents not to look a gift horse in the mouth. It’s public housing; be glad you’re not sleeping under a bridge.

It’s not that simple, in my opinion. When the government took it upon itself to provide the housing, that commitment came with the expectation that the homes will be reasonably safe. Poverty, a lack of education, the disintegration of the family and other systemic problems are challenge enough. They don’t need to worry about carcinogens seeping up from the ground beneath them. To be fair, it sounds like the government has dealt above the board and been doing what it can.

The problem, then, likely stems back to either the original polluters, who were allowed to dispose of the property without cleaning it up or discounting the sale price by the cost of future clean up; or to a system which failed to disclose all relevant information along the way.

Post from: Blisstree

Environmental Toxins Might Be To Blame for Hair Loss

Stress.

Hormone imbalance.

High fever.

The list could be expanded.

As if there wasn’t enough to deal with, now you have to pick a new hair-style. Or, if you’re really lucky, you get do skip hair-styles altogether and go hat shopping.

Post from: Blisstree

Hair Loss and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Today let’s talk about lupus, more formally known as Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)

What is it?

Lupus is an autoimmune disease, in which the immune system turns on the body and attacks normal tissues as though they were foreign substances. This is known as hypersensitivity. The symptoms and problems associated with lupus can vary widely in both type and intensity depending on where the disease attacks.

The name “lupus” is thought to originate from the red facial rash across the cheeks and nose that some sufferers develop. The Lupus Foundation of America estimates that approximately 1,500,000 Americans have a form of lupus, and 90% of those afflicted are women.

What does it do?

The following definition comes from the Lupus Foundation of America:

Lupus is a chronic inflammatory disease that can affect various parts of the body, especially the skin, joints, blood, and kidneys. The body’s immune system normally makes proteins called antibodies to protect the body against viruses, bacteria, and other foreign materials. These foreign materials are called antigens. In an autoimmune disorder such as lupus, the immune system loses its ability to tell the difference between foreign substances (antigens) and its own cells and tissues. The immune system then makes antibodies directed against “self.” These antibodies, called “auto-antibodies,” react with the “self” antigens to form immune complexes. The immune complexes build up in the tissues and can cause inflammation, injury to tissues, and pain.

The exact course of the disease all depends on where in the body the immune complexes build up.

How is it treated?

Lupus is a chronic disease without a known cure. Treatments vary depending on the systems affected, but they generally include some combination of anti-inflammatory and immuno-suppressant therapy. With proper diagnosis and treatment lupus is rarely fatal, and many patients can live with minimal disruption to daily life.

What are it’s symptoms?

Lupus often presents with chronic fever, malaise, joint or muscle pain, and fatigue. In and of themselves, these symptoms are not necessarily indicative of lupus. Additional factors are considered when making a diagnosis. The most common symptoms associated with lupus and their rate of occurrence follow:

• Achy joints (arthralgia) – 95%
• Fever more than 100 degrees F (38 degrees C) – 90%
• Arthritis (swollen joints) – 90%
• Prolonged or extreme fatigue – 81%
• Skin Rashes – 74%
• Anemia – 71%
• Kidney Involvement – 50%
• Pain in the chest on deep breathing (pleurisy) – 45%
• Butterfly-shaped rash across the cheeks and nose – 42%
• Sun or light sensitivity (photosensitivity) – 30%
• Hair loss – 27%
• Abnormal blood clotting problems – 20%
• Raynaud’s phenomenon (fingers turning white and/or blue in the cold) – 17%
• Seizures – 15%
• Mouth or nose ulcers – 12%

Additional Resources

Lupus Foundation of America
Wikipedia
The Lupus Site

Post from: Blisstree

Bald Symptoms: Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)