What is an itchy scalp?

An itchy scalp is an inflammatory reaction of the skin underneath the hair on your head. An itchy scalp is a common problem, particularly among adults. An itchy scalp may or may not be associated with a visible rash or broken skin.

The severity, frequency and duration of an itchy scalp depend on the underlying cause. Some causes of an itchy scalp, such as dandruff (seborrheic dermatitis), can be relatively minor. However, an itchy scalp can also be due to more serious conditions, such as infection, inflammation, parasite infestation, autoimmune disorders, and allergies.

In some cases, an itchy scalp can begin suddenly and disappear quickly by itself or with minimal treatment, such as a mild allergic reaction or sensitivity to a new hair product. An itchy scalp can also occur over a relatively long period of time, such as when itching is due to scalp psoriasis.

An itchy scalp can occur by itself or with other symptoms, such as a rash or visible bumps on the scalp and nape of the neck. In addition, excessive scratching of an itchy scalp can introduce bacteria or fungus into the layers of the scalp, resulting in secondary infections. Tell your health care provider about any symptoms that occur with an itchy scalp. This information helps your health care provider diagnose the condition.

An itchy scalp can be caused by a serious underlying condition that requires medical treatment, such as lupus or hypothyroidism. If you have an itchy scalp that is persistent, seek prompt medical care to talk with your medical professional about your symptoms.

What are allergic reactions to hairspray?

Allergic reactions to hairspray though not very prevalent, do exist.  For instance, if you observe a ruddy colored rash near the hairline, every time you use a hairspray, then it is likely that you are allergic to it.  Once you have identified the allergen, then you will know which hairspray to buy and which to avoid.
 

What causes hairspray allergy

Many ingredients come together to create a hairspray product.  The allergen may be one of the ingredients that have been used to create the fragrance, or it may be one of those chemical substances that are harmful to your skin and cause redness or inflammation.

If you are allergic to hairspray, then the cells that are in charge of fighting off the allergy release histamines.  Histamines cause inflammation, rashes and secretions in the eyes, nose and throat.  The most prevalent hairspray allergy is known as contact dermatitis.  Symptoms of contact dermatitis are swelling, redness, irritation and itching of the skin.  These symptoms persist for 15 to 30 days even of you have discontinued using the product.
 

How to manage hairspray allergy?

As children’s skin is more sensitive and delicate it is important not to apply hairspray in their presencePromptly discontinue using a hairspray product if you detect any form of allergic reaction

There are quite a few substances among the hairspray ingredients that can cause the allergy.  They are methylchloroisothiazolinone, parabens (preservatives), DMDM hydantoin (an antimicrobial formaldehyde releasing agent), Quarternium-15 (an ammonium salt preservative), formaldehyde, phenoxyethanol, and imidazolidinyl urea (antimicrobial preservative).

Even the ingredients used to accord fragrance to the hairspray are sometimes seen to be allergens.   

• Do not scratch in the region where you observe redness after applying hairspray
• You can apply hydrocortisone cream to affected area to get relief from irritation and itching
• If itching is unbearable, you can get OTC medicatione pain as antihistamines
• Ensue that the medicine you take contains diphenhydramine, as this chemical helps contain the itching

Hairspray poisoning

Poisoning can be caused by inhalation.  In extreme cases, hairspray inhalation may lead to coma too. The ingredients that cause poisoning are Denatured alcohol, CFCs (chloroflourocarbons), HFCs (hydroflourocarbons), polyvinylpyrrolidone, carboxylmethylcellulose, propylene glycol, and polyvinyl alcohol.

Symptoms of hairspray poisoning

• Irritation and itchiness of skin and scalp
• Redness and rashes
• Lowered blood pressure
• Respiratory problems
• Irritation in eyes and problematic vision
• Irritation in the throat
• Dazed feeling

Summer Hair Care Tips

Summer moisture and the summer sun can be damaging to your hair. Proper preventative steps need to be taken during this seasons to ensure that your hair does not get damaged.

Summer Hair Care Tips
Wear a scarf, hat or cap to protect your hair from the sun but make sure that it's not so tight that it will restrict circulation in your scalp.
If you know you are going to be in the sun for a long time and if you don't want to wear anything on your head, use a leave in conditioner with sunscreen in it before you go out.
If you are outside and forgot to put leave in conditioner with sunscreen in your hair, you can put regular sunscreen in your hair, but make sure you rinse it out with a deep cleansing shampoo when you get home.
Limit your use of "hot" items on your hair such as a blow dryers and curling irons.
If you need to use a "hot" item, use a leave in conditioner before using the item on your hair.
Avoid taking hot showers or washing your hair in hot water, use warm or cool water instead, the heat can dry out and/or damage your hair and skin.
Staying hydrated is important for healthy hair as well as your overall health, so make sure that you are taking enough water.
Avoid hair products with formaldehyde or alcohol in it which dry out hair, try to use natural products that are gentler on your hair.
Try washing your hair less often; shampooing your hair strips the moisture out of your hair.
Use a conditioner on your hair daily.

African-Black Hair Care Tips

African-American/Black hair in general is more brittle, coarser, dryer and curlier (nappy) than those of non-African decent. Because of this hair care for a Caucasian would be different than for an African, who needs to be more careful when treating his/her hair because it is more delicate.
African-Black Hair Care Tips
A healthier lifestyle will result in healthier hair.
Massaging your scalp on a regular basis will stimulate oil production, which will help reduce the dryness of your hair.
Daily shampooing is not recommended, ethnic hair is dryer than other types of hair, shampooing strips away the oils from your hair so try shampooing once every 3 to 7 days instead.
If you engage in daily activities that cause you to sweat, it is recommended that you rinse your hair out with water and only use shampoo on occasion, but if you feel the need to use a mild shampoo, go ahead and do so.
Use a mild moisturizing shampoo with a low PH level when washing your hair.
Don't use a 2 in 1 shampoo and conditioner, use a separate shampoo and conditioner, 2 in 1's aren't suited as well for dry hair.
When washing your hair rub only in one direction to avoid tangling.
Shower with warm water, hot water can dry and/or irritate the scalp.
Oil your scalp after shampooing, with your hair still moist, massage the oil into your scalp and brush out to the ends of your hair.
Use a conditioner when you shower, it'll moisturize your hair, give it extra protection, add shine, reduce static, and makes it easier to untangle.

Hair Loss Prevention

All people lose hair on a daily basis, but unfortunatley many people will go through rapid hair loss without new hair coming in to replace it which results in thinning hair and possibly lead to some degree of baldness. Hereditary plays a major role in the severity of hair loss but improper care of your hair along with an unhealthy lifestyle may cause early hair loss.
Hair Loss Prevention
Getting proper nutrition is essential for healthy hair.
 Water, protien, biotin (part of the vitamin B complex), vitamins A, B6, B12, C, copper, iron, omega 3 fatty acids, zinc, calcium, folic acid, and magnesium all play a part in maintaining a healthy scalp, skin, and hair.
Use your fingertips to massage your scalp which will increase circulation in your scalp which is important for hair growth.
Gentle combing or brushing of your hair will help break up hardened oils that clog your pores. It is recommended that you comb or brush 100-200 strokes in the morning and at night.
 Avoid excessive wind, sun, and heat (such as from hair dryers, hot showers, and curling irons) on your hair.
Tight fitting caps and hats will cause poor circulation in your scalp and will also cause build-up of sweat and grime.
If you have live a high stressed life try reducing stress by taking some time out daily just to relax, excessive stress is believed to induce hair loss.
If you color your hair, limit coloring it to once ever 2 months. Hair coloring damages your hair and the less frequently you color it the better.
Avoid putting too much physical stress on your hair, brush/comb your hair gently, don't pull your hair when you brush and avoid braids and ponytails if possible, they place constant stress on your hair.
Get enough sleep.
Use a conditioner and trim any split ends.
See your doctor or a dermatologist for advice if you have concerns about hair loss and want to seek treatment.

Head Lice Info

The head louse is a tiny parasitic insect that lives in human hair and subsists on small amounts of blood drawn from the scalp. Human head lice likely evolved right along with people. Head lice are host specific. Neither able to fly nor jump, head lice are unlikely to leave a host and most often hatch and spend their entire lives on a single individual. Human lice won’t infest your pets, and lice on pets usually don’t infest people.
Head lice are common worldwide. Infestation isn’t an indication of poor hygiene. Head lice are acquired from other infested people. In North America and Europe, children are more frequently infested than are adults, females more often than males, and Caucasians more frequently than other ethnic groups.
Generally, a host has fewer than a dozen active lice on the scalp, but may have dozens of viable eggs. Head lice neither cause nor transmit infections or diseases.
What Head Lice Look Like
There are three forms of lice: the nit or egg, the nymph, and the adult.

Nits are very small and easily confused for dandruff or dried drops of hair spray. They are oval in shape and usually yellow to white in color. Without magnification it is difficult to determine whether nits are viable (fertilized and under development) or just the remaining shells of hatched nymphs. The female louse cements each nit to the base of a hair shaft near the scalp. The nits take about one week to hatch.Nymphs are newly hatched nits. Nymphs look like adult head lice, but are much smaller. Nymphs mature in about a week.
The adult louse is about the size of a sesame seed, has six legs, and is tan to gray-white. Adult lice can live up to 30 days but need to feed on blood several times daily. Without a host, a louse typically dies within a day or two.
Symptoms of Head Lice
Head lice are most commonly found on the scalp, behind the ears and near the neckline at the base of the head. Unless seen, symptoms of infestation are easy to miss:
Tickling sensation or feeling something move through the hair.
Allergic reaction to the bites, which causes itching.
Scratching the itch can result in sores, which lead to infection and general irritability.
Viable eggs are usually located within 1/4 inch of the scalp. Normal hair growth transports the nits away from the scalp. Eggs more than one-half an inch away from the scalp are usually not viable. Unless adults, nymphs or viable eggs are noticed, the presence of nits doesn’t signify an active infestation. An infestation is diagnosed by looking closely through the hair and scalp for nits, nymphs, or adults and is usually best done by an experienced health care provider.

Long Hair Care Tips

Caring for long hair takes a lot more time compared to caring for short hair or hair of normal length. Just washing and drying long hair can be quite a task in itself. Below are some tips on managing long hair.
Long Hair Care Tips
Avoid sleeping with tightly braided hair or hair in a tight ponytail. The stress can cause breakage and/or hair loss.
When your hair is braided, make sure that it is not too tight or it could cause breakage and/or hair loss.
If your hair is braided or you have a ponytail, use a specially treated band or scrunchie which will prevent breakage of your hair, limit your use of clips, bows, and untreated bands.
Even if you plan on growing your hair out further you should trim your hair once every 3 months, if not split ends will cause your hair to break off and your hair will begin to lose it's beauty, if you plan on just maintaining your length, a trim once every month and a half to two months should suffice.
Don't use a brush to detangle your hair, this will stretch your hair and may cause your hair to break off. Instead use your fingers, a pick, or a wide tooth comb to detangle your hair.
When detangling your hair work your way from the tips of your hair up to the hair roots. Work on detangling one section of your hair at a time and go in a downward direction.
Be gentle when detangling, pulling down on your hair too hard will cause breakage.
If you detangle your hair before washing it, it'll be easier to dry and style as well as decrease the knots and tangles after you are done washing your hair.
Don't rub your hair dry with a towell, instead blot the water out of your hair, when you rub, it'll cause your hair to tangle.
Hair can get caught on cotton pillow cases and break when you are sleeping especially if you toss and turn a lot when you sleep. Using a satin or silk pillowcase where your hair will make it so that hair will slide across the pillowcase without getting caught. Another tactic to prevent breakage is to put your hair up in a ponytail on the top of your head with a scrunchie or specially treated band (that prevents breakage).
An alternative to the silk pillowcase is to wear a satin or silk scarf over your hair before your sleep to prevent breakage.
Brushing your hair is important because it spreads the the hair oils out across the length of your hair. Use long strokes starting from the roots of your hair when brushing and stroke your hand over your hair after you are done brushing to get rid of static.