Scalp Infections and Hair Loss

Infections damage the skin and everything which depends on its healthy development, and as such, infections are also a formidable cause of hair loss. Scalp infections interfere with the normal functions of the follicles, damaging them with disease and bacterial outbreaks. The strands which eventually sprout up from diseased or infected follicles are weak, thereby causing easy breakage or fallout. Fortunately, such conditions are easily treatable with medication and hygiene, so prevention and detection is as important as treatment.

The primary cause of scalp infections is the various microorganism pathogens (bacteria, fungi, viruses, and parasites); among these, the most common culprits of scalp infections are bacteria and fungi. There is a particular specie of parasite known as demodex folliculorum which causes major infestations in the human scalp, and those who already bear a condition called androgenetic alopecia (or male-pattern baldness) are more susceptible to the outbreak. The parasite can cause a persistent itching sensation on the scalp, and even on the eye brows and lashes.

Bacterial outbreaks which lead to infection which affect mostly the scalp are known as folliculitis. Staphylococcus is one kind of bacteria which is notoriously known for causing scalp infections. In some cases, the infection caused by folliculitis is superficial in nature, and is very treatable; but once it penetrates deep into the follicles, the scalp damage is much more severe, and the treatment programs that much more incisive.

Aside from bacteria, scalp infections are also caused by viral, fungal, and parasitical folliculitis. The first two causes also affect hair-growing areas of the skin besides the scalp (such as the beard and the eyebrows). Fungal folliculitis is classified into several types, depending on the area of the body which is infected. Tinea capitis affects the scalp, barbae the beard, corporis the trunk, cruris the groin, and pedis the feet. Children are more susceptible to the severe infections of the scalp called tinea capitis.

The condition referred to as sebhorreic dermatitis is not actually caused by a scalp infection, but it makes the skin (not necessarily on the scalp) more susceptible to fungal infections, and such complications can worsen the preexisting condition. Sebhorreic dermatitis usually occurs as a result of an outbreak of pityrosporon ovale, or yeast. Although the fungus is already present even on healthy skin (but in much smaller numbers), if it multiplies and causes an infestation, skin problems are the immediate consequence. The abrupt infestation is closely associated with the occurrence of sebhorreic dermatitis, although the direct link between the two is yet to be established.

Another cause of scalp infection is a fungus called peidra, and it causes the same damage with both curled and straight hair. A peidra outbreak leads to the presence of nodules, masses with varying stiffness on the infected hair shaft. Although peidra is basically a fungal infection, it can also enhance the damage caused by a preexistent bacterial infection. And since it is usually mistaken for head lice or a bacterial infection, improper treatments lead to insufficient benefits. Scalp infections are easily treatable if they are detected early on; if you believe that you are bearing any similar symptom or condition, talk to your doctor for appropriate treatments.