What your Hair can Say about Your Health

Does Bad Hair Mean Bad Health?
Can you tell something about your health from your hair?  Perhaps you can.  Some conditions and medications affect your body as well as your hair.  In other cases, you may just need to take better care of your hair or scalp.  See some interesting facts below (with thanks to Web MD)

Dandruff is not a Health Risk and you can’t catch it!
Dandruff isn’t contagious.  So how does it start?  Doctors really aren’t sure, but one theory is that it may be due to an overgrowth of a yeast like fungus.  Other possible triggers include skin that’s either too dry or too oily, shampooing either too often or not often enough, and having eczema or psoriasis.  While it’s embarrassing – and the itching can be bothersome –  dandruff isn’t harmful.

What about Yellow Dandruff?
If the dandruff flakes you see are greasy and yellow, you may have seborrhoeic dermatitis.   This is  an inflammatory skin condition that can occur where there are lots of oil glands, like the scalp and face.  Though seborrhoeic dermatitis is related to hormones, fungus, and even some neurological problems, it’s treated the same way as dandruff: with anti-dandruff shampoos.   Severe cases may need a prescription steroid or antifungal medicine.

ProFusion shampoo for dry hair is also very effective against dandruff.

You May be Shedding more Hair than you imagine
It’s not a perfect measure, but some experts estimate that we may lose up to 100 or more hairs a day.  That’s not a cause for alarm, nor does it mean you’re going bald.  About 90% of your 100,000 hair follicles are growing at any given time.  The other 10% are in a resting (telogen) phase, and the hair falls out after about 2 to 3 months.  It’s then replaced by new hair, and the growth cycle starts over again.

What Causes Telogen Effluvium?
A shock to your system can cause this condition, such as  surgery, giving birth, some medications, crash diets, severe stress, thyroid problems , can push hair into its resting, or telogen, state.  About 2 months later, you may see hair falling out, a condition called telogen effluvium, sometimes described as hair “coming out in handfuls.”  In most cases, new hair starts growing right away.  You should discuss this with you doctor.

Genes Cause 90% of Male Hair Loss
Though hereditary, hair loss may be more influenced by your mother’s family than your father’s.  So a look at your maternal grandfather’s hair may give you a better clue about the future of yours.  Male pattern baldness often starts with receding hair at the temples, then on the crown, leaving a horseshoe-shaped ring of hair around the sides of the head.  Medications to slow hair loss include Rogaine (minoxidil), Propecia (finasteride) and ProFusion shampoo and Conditioner.

Avoid Sun Damage to Hair
Too much sun can turn your hair into a brittle, dry mop that breaks and splits easily. And if you already have thinning hair, you also risk a sunburn on your scalp. Choosing hair care products with sunscreen provides some protection, although it can be hard to coat your hair evenly.  That’s why it’s a good idea to wear a hat when you’re out in the sun — especially if your scalp is exposed.

A Hair- and Heart-Healthy Diet
Keep hair shiny by eating salmon for omega-3 fatty acids; spinach and carrots for vitamin A;  brazil nuts for selenium; and oysters and walnuts for zinc.  All help maintain scalp and hair health, as do low-fat dairy, whole grains, and vegetables.  Double the results: foods good for your hair are also good for your heart.

Effect of Medications
Among the medications that list hair loss as a side effect:  warfarin,   gemfibrozil, antidepressants,  beta-blockers, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and also drugs for gout, arthritis, birth control, and high blood pressure.  Usually, hair grows back when the medication is stopped, but some drugs may cause permanent hair loss, or trigger male or female pattern hair loss.  Ask your doctor or pharmacist about possible side effects.

With thanks to Web MD for the source content.