What Is a Scalp and What Are Its Layers?
The scalp is composed of soft tissue layers that cover the skull. It is an anatomic region bordered anteriorly by the human face and laterally and posteriorly by the neck. It extends from the superior nuchal lines and occipital turbulences to the supraorbital foramen.
The scalp has five layers. The first three layers are closely bound together.
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The skin contains numerous hair follicles and sebaceous glands.
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Dense connective tissue connects the skin to epicranial aponeurosis. It is well vascularized and has a good nerve supply.
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Epicranial Aponeurosis is a thin, tendon-like structure that connects the scalp muscles.
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Loose Areolar Connective Tissue is a thin connective tissue layer that separates the periosteum of the skull from the epicranial aponeurosis.
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The periosteum is the front layer of the skull bones.
What Are the Signs of Unhealthy Scalps?
Unhealthy scalps are due to harsh chemicals and irritants.
Common symptoms of an unhealthy scalp include:
What Are the Triggers and the Causes of Dry Skin?
The following are the few trigger effects of the dry scalp, they are,
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Individuals 40 years of age.
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People with the ethnicity of brown, black, or fair skin.
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Individuals who work more in water and chemicals.
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Cold climates.
The most known causes for the individuals who are,
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Not drinking enough water.
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Using harsh cleaning products.
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Living in cold and dry or heat conditions.
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Using artificial heat sources.
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Use hot water for a bath.
What Can Be the Reasons for Dry Scalp?
Repeated washing: This can cause the removal of natural oils in the scalp. This causes the scalp to be dry and brittle. The hair wash is done according to the texture of the hair.
Usage of harsh hair products: The scalp becomes red and starts itching on harsh chemicals. The flakes, after washing, could be contact dermatitis.
Weather changes: Cold weather dries out the skin all over your body, including your scalp. Blasting the heat can also be drying.
Dandruff: Dandruff can seem like the result of a dry scalp, but it can happen for many reasons, including a yeast-like fungus that feeds on the oils in your scalp. Dandruff is a symptom due to a skin condition known as seborrheic dermatitis; it is eczema. This causes redness on the scalp, itching, and flaking on areas of skin, especially where there are lots of sebaceous glands.
Eczema: Eczema is a skin condition that leaves the scalp dry, red, itchy, and cracked.
Allergies: It often runs in families, so if one or both of your parents had eczema, the chances are high for the kids to have. Soap, detergent, stress, and changes in the weather can cause dry eczema patches to form on your scalp. You may also have dryness on your hands, elbows, face, and the backs of your knees.
Scalp psoriasis: In psoriasis, your immune system makes your skin cells multiply faster than usual. These cells build up on the skin's surface and create dry, itchy patches.
Atopic dermatitis: Atopic dermatitis is a common form of eczema. In children, atopic dermatitis can cause dry, itchy rashes anywhere on the body. The individuals have dehydrated and easily irritated scalp.
Contact dermatitis: Contact dermatitis, another form of eczema, happens when the skin has an allergic reaction to something it comes into contact with. Hair care products, hair dye, and hair accessories can all lead to contact dermatitis on the scalp. Contact dermatitis can cause itching and burning.
How Can We Manage and Treat This Condition?
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Drink plenty of water.
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Get enough sleep.
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Avoid caffeine and alcohol. This can dry out the skin.
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Avoid specific heat sources, such as central heating and log fires.
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Do not use harsh hair products and shampoos.
Sometimes the management can also need corticosteroids. A person with a dry scalp will experience itching and flaking the skin. Many dry scalp cases resolve independently with a good lifestyle and healthy diet. A dry scalp can be a symptom of an underlying skin condition or disease.
Conclusion
A healthy scalp gives healthy hair, hence paying attention to your scalp is essential. If you have any itching, redness, flakiness, irritation, pain, or excessive hair loss and these symptoms bother you, you should see a dermatologist. They can help you determine if there is an underlying health problem. You should have healthy scalp habits. This includes using gentle sulfate-free products. Never wash your hair every day. When you wash it, massage your hair gently. A rich diet in vegetables and fruit also promotes a healthy scalp. Taking a fish oil supplement and probiotics is beneficial.
