Scalp Hygiene for Healthy Hair: Tips to Prevent Scalp Infections

Introduction:

Healthy hair is one of the most important aspects of an individual’s appearance. Beautiful and healthy hair is not only important for overall general health but also boosts self-confidence in an individual. Usually, while thinking about hair care, people tend to give more importance to the luster, thickness, and length of their hair. However, they usually forget to pay heed to their scalp health. A healthy scalp is often an underrated term among people. Whereas, the truth is that a healthy scalp is very crucial for healthy hair growth, voluminous and lustrous hair, and hair follicle strengthening. In other words, a healthy scalp is a prerequisite for shiny, beautiful, and strong hair.

However, the scalp is very sensitive and is susceptible to various kinds of infections. It is not surprising to state that an infection in the scalp can impact hair growth drastically for the long term. So, it is very important to keep the scalp healthy along with hair care. Bacteria and fungi can infect the scalp and cause hair loss along with hair thinning.

What Is Scalp Infection?

Scalp infection occurs when bacteria, fungi, or viruses enter the scalp through hair follicles or damaged skin on the scalp leading to scalp infection. The overlying skin on the scalp (head region) is ultra-sensitive, and the infectious agents may penetrate the scalp through the several hair follicles present on the head. This can lead to scalp infections very easily. Gradually, scalp infection may lead to the destruction of the hair follicles, causing hair damage and hair loss, affecting hair growth, and causing hair thinning.

Scalp infections are more prone to develop on an oily scalp because excessive oil can clog the pores on the scalp. This, in turn, will make the scalp a rearing ground for the propagation of infectious pathogens. Also, sharing combs, hair clips, rubber bands, or helmets may cause quick spread of the scalp infection from one person to another.

Other triggering factors for scalp infections include dirty, unwashed hair, stress, poor diet, and dehydration.

What Are the Types of Scalp Infections?

• Fungal Infections -These infections can occur due to fungal outgrowth. The fungus can enter the scalp through damaged skin. Rapid fungal growth can occur when coupled with an unwashed scalp.

• Ringworm Infection - It is a type of chronic fungal infection. When it affects the scalp, it is known as tinea capitis. It often leads to red, round, bald spots or patches on the scalp.

• Folliculitis Infection - This is a bacterial scalp infection. It appears similar to scalp acne. The hair follicles are damaged by bacteria causing bacterial folliculitis. It is a contagious scalp infection that can occur due to sharing of hair care products.

• Viral Infections - Viral infections are usually rare on the scalp. However, an existing viral infection in the host’s body may spread to the scalp leading to scalp infection.

• Lice Infection - Lice infection is the worst type of scalp infection. Lice is a tiny tick that feeds on the host’s blood on the scalp. Lice scalp infection is quite contagious. However, it can be eliminated by keeping the scalp clean and healthy.

• Seborrheic Dermatitis - This type of scalp infection is quite common in babies. It is associated with dandruff. Dandruff makes the scalp's skin dry and flaky. The condition is usually painless, and it is important to keep the scalp clean and hygienic to avoid dandruff.

What Are the Clinical Symptoms of Scalp Infection?

Some common signs and symptoms include:

• Scalp pruritus (itchy scalp).

• Red rashes on the scalp.

• Scalp soreness.

• Pus-filled boils.

• Hair thinning.

• Hair breakage.

• Dandruff shedding.

• Sudden hair fall.

• Permanent hair loss in some places.

• Bald spots or patches.

• Dry, scaly, and flaky skin.

• Scalp acne (pimples on the scalp).

• Pain on the scalp.

• Reduced hair growth.

What Are the Scalp Hygiene Tips to Prevent Scalp Infections?

Some of the scalp hygiene tips to prevent scalp infections include:

• Keeping the scalp clean and hygienic by washing it regularly to get rid of dust, debris, dirt, and oil.

• Maintaining good hydration because dehydration acts as a triggering factor for scalp infections. Plenty of water should be taken with a good intake of juicy fruits and vegetables.

• Using hair care products that are gentle, sulfate-free, paraben free, and vegan. Avoid hair care products that have a strong fragrance or high alcohol and sulfate content because they reduce the moisture from the hair strands and scalp.

• Avoid sharing personal hair care products. Combs, hair clips, head helmets, and hair scrunchies should not be shared among family members or relatives.

• Harsh hair care products that can damage the scalp should be discarded. The natural oils in the hair get easily stripped off due to the regular use of harsh shampoos that contain sulfates. This, in turn, can dry and irritate the scalp leading to hair breakage. Even hair dyes and bleaching agents should be avoided as they can cause damage to the scalp.

• Hair experts or dermatologists should be consulted immediately once the early signs and symptoms of scalp infection become noticeable.

• One should use very gentle strokes while shampooing their hair. This will help increase circulation and prevent the scalp from abrading.

• Head massage is another tip that will keep the scalp healthy by improving blood circulation.

• Have a good omega-3 fatty acid-rich diet and nutritious meals for a healthy scalp. Omega-3 rich foods and fish oil are found to improve vascular supply to the scalp. Also, more antioxidants and probiotics should be consumed to improve scalp skin.

• One should wash their hair at least three to four times a day.

• Occasionally scalp scrubs should be used to exfoliate the scalp skin. They help to eliminate excess oil, dandruff, dirt, and debris. They may stimulate hair growth by increasing blood circulation.

• One can also use certain home remedies to keep the scalp healthy to prevent scalp infections. The use of essential oils like tea tree oil, lemongrass oil, castor oil, coconut oil, apple cider vinegar, aloe vera gel, curry leaves, neem oil, and ginger has been suggested to improve scalp health. All these home remedies are good for the scalp and help to boost the growth of hair.

Conclusion:

Keeping the scalp healthy is the key to lustrous, strong, and healthy hair. It is, therefore, of utmost importance to execute a good hair care regime to keep the scalp clean and infection-free. In case of any type of itchiness, flakiness, or irritation, one should refer to a specialist doctor immediately. A healthy scalp means healthy hair. Healthy hair helps to boost self-confidence in an individual. To conclude, proper scalp hygiene tips should be followed, as mentioned in the article, to prevent scalp infections.