Psoriasis Archives - Miami Hair Institute

October 12, 2020

Psoriasis and Hair Loss

When there are problems with your scalp, it can cause problems for your hair. The skin on your scalp is the soil in which your hair follicles grow, so when that skin suffers, your hair will too, up to and including hair shedding and loss. One of the most common scalp conditions that can lead to hair loss is psoriasis.

Affecting around 7.4 million Americans, psoriasis arises when the body’s immune system causes skin cells to grow too rapidly. Those cells then build up into red, scaly patches called plaques. While psoriasis can appear anywhere on the body, about half of all cases are on the scalp. The condition

Intense Itchiness Leads To Destructive Scratching

While many scalp psoriasis cases are relatively mild with very light scaling, it can often be severe. The most painful and uncomfortable symptoms of scalp psoriasis, such as dry scalp, burning, soreness, and scaling, can be extremely itchy. The intense impulse to relieve that itchiness by scratching the scalp is the primary reason that psoriasis can lead to hair loss. Additionally, forcefully attempting to remove the scaling to relieve discomfort can also cause hair to fall out.

Since it is the response to psoriasis more than psoriasis itself that leads to hair loss, it is important to treat the condition in a way that is both effective and gentle. Once scalp psoriasis is resolved with such treatment, any lost hair should grow back.

Hair-Safe Treatment For Psoriasis

To reduce scalp itching and the possibility of hair loss caused by constant scratching, try these approaches:

Use a moisturizing conditioner to keep your scalp from drying out.
Limit your use of blow dryers and other hot tools when styling your hair.
Try hair products containing menthol
Press a wet towel or ice pack against the irritated section of your scalp.

Additional treatments can involve the use of medicated shampoos, lotions, creams, gels, oils, foams, soaps, and ointments that contain either salicylic acid or coal tar. While some of these products are available over-the-counter, stronger ones require a prescription.

Effective Hair Loss Treatments For Psoriasis And All Other Conditions

No matter what is causing your hair loss issues, the world-renowned hair restoration physicians at the Miami Hair Institute can help. Our surgeons, nurses, and staff represent the finest team in Miami and have effectively treated thousands of men and women using the most advanced surgical and non-surgical techniques. If you are ready to finally do something about your hair loss, we invite you to schedule a personalized hair loss evaluation at our South Florida clinic. Please contact us today at 305-925-0222.

May 13, 2014

Can Scalp Psoriasis Cause Hair Loss?

Hair Loss from Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a condition that causes what appear to be scaly/raised patches on the skin. Psoriasis can be either mild or severe. When mild, it is hardly noticeable. When severe, however, the scaly patches become more pronounced and red in color. Sometimes, Psoriasis can even cause hair loss.

The type of Psoriasis that causes men and women to lose their hair is called Scalp Psoriasis. The condition typically begins on the top of the scalp, but it can also spread toward the back of the scalp and behind the ears. Though more pronounced cases of scalp psoriasis can be unsightly, the skin condition is not contagious.

Going Bald from Scalp Psoriasis

Although the exact cause of Scalp Psoriasis is not yet known, medical professionals believe the scaly patches form when skin cells replicate too quickly. Faster than normal growth may cause the cells to grow onto or into one another, causing the skin to form raised, reddish patches.

It’s estimated that about 3.7 million or more Americans have Scalp Psoriasis (i). Below are the most common signs and symptoms of the condition.

Signs and Symptoms

Signs and symptoms of Scalp Psoriasis include the following:

Reddish plaques
Dandruff
Feelings of dryness in the scalp
Intense feelings of itching and/or agitation in the scalp
Burning and/or sensations of soreness
Hair loss

Treating Scalp Psoriasis, Before Hair Loss Occurs

Treat Scalp Psoriasis, before it has the chance to cause hair loss. Today, a variety of treatment protocols are available to help nourish the skin, ease symptoms, and restore natural hair growth.

To learn more about treating Scalp Psoriasis and reversing hair loss, contact the Hair Transplant Institute of Miami. To speak with a member of our Institute, call 305-925-0222.

Sources

(i) “Scalp Psoriasis.” WebMD. Accessed 13 May 2014.

August 6, 2012

Causes of Hair Loss in Women

The causes of hair loss in women may differ from those in men due to a number of factors, most significant of which is biology. One of the biggest biological differences between men and women are hormones. Hormones like testosterone, estrogen, and thyroid, to name only a few, largely dictate the outward appearance of both males and females. This includes height, weight, and of course, hair. Other causes of hair loss in women include genetics, nutrient deficiencies, and general health of the skin (in particular, the scalp). This article has been created to help women identify the 6 most common causes of hair loss including thinning, shedding, and balding.

Top 6 Causes of Hair Loss in Women

1. Unhealthy Scalp

It comes as no surprise that certain scalp conditions may be causal factors for hair loss. The scalp is the foundation from which healthy hair grows, and growth may be inhibited when the foundation is compromised. Specifically, the following skin conditions may lead to hair loss in women:

Seborrheic dermatitis: This condition makes may agitate the skin of the scalp, face, and torso. When affecting the scalp, most individuals know this condition by the name dandruff.
Psoriasis: An autoimmune disease, psoriasis appears in the form of scaly red and white patches on the upper most layer of skin.
Dermatophytosis: Known by the common name ringworm, dermatophytosis is caused by a fungal infection and appears as a light red circular mark on the skin.

2. Thyroid Disorder

Thyroid disorders are relatively common among American adults, affecting a reported 5 percent of the population. Thyroid disorders come in one of two varieties: Hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism. Both hypo- and hyperthyroidism may contribute to hair loss in women. In the case of the former, the body under-produces the thyroid hormone and individuals may notice weight gain, persistent feelings of fatigue, and a general inability to concentrate. Hyperthyroidism, on the other hand, is marked by an over-production of thyroid hormone that may cause other side effects like rapid weight loss, muscle atrophy, and irritability.

3. Telogen Effluvium

Another common cause of hair loss in women is telogen effluvium. This disorder is characterized by unnatural thinning or shedding of the hair and is most commonly triggered by periods of immense or abrupt body stress. Women who are pregnant, experiencing extreme weight loss, or feeling persistent mental/emotional stress may develop this scalp condition in which hair spends an abnormally short amount of time in the growing portion of the hair growth cycle. This causes hair to enter the telogen phase (shedding phase) more quickly than is normal, increasing the rate at which hair is expelled from the scalp.

4. Androgenetic alopecia

The American Academy of Dermatology has named androgenetic alopecia as the most common cause of hair loss among both men and women. Androgenetic alopecia is hereditary; the “gene for hair loss” may be passed down from parent to child. Contrary to popular hair loss myths, androgenetic alopecia may be inherited from either the mother’s or father’s side of the family.

5. Alopecia Areata

Alopecia areata affects an estimated 4-5 million Americans, making this condition a very common reason for hair loss among women. Though the precise cause of alopecia areata is not known, women who suffer with unhealthy amounts of stress or general illness are most susceptible to developing the condition.

6. Anemia

Anemia is caused be an iron deficiency in the blood. This is marked by a low level of red blood cells and may be the result of a diet that is significantly lacking in iron rich foods like egg yolks, dark green vegetables, lentils, and artichokes, among others. Anemia is also characterized by extreme fatigue and pale skin, as a low blood cell count renders the blood unable to transport adequate amounts of oxygen.

Learn More About Preventing Hair Loss

Early detection is the best means of identifying, treating, and overcoming hair loss. To learn more, please visit our quick-reference guide titled Women and Hair Loss: Top 4 Signs. If you are experiencing thinning, balding, or shedding hair, you are not alone. A reported 20 million women suffer with hair loss in America alone, and there is a wealth of treatment options available.

Our clinic proudly represents the top team Florida hair transplant surgeons, lead by Dr. Bernard Nusbaum and Dr. Paul Rose. To learn more, please schedule a hair loss consultation with the Hair Transplant Institute of Miami or call toll free 1-877-443-9070.