2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44
The dermatovenerologist answers.
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Good day! The last few months I have been very worried about pimples, which have appeared in large numbers on the head (hair). I thought the main reason was the shampoo or the product I use to wash my hair. But even after changing them, the acne did not go away. I take a shower every two days and always wash my head, so it's not because of the messy hair. I also did the shortest possible hairstyle. It worked at first, but after a few days the pimples started to appear again. Could the food you eat be the problem? What treatments can you recommend?
Anonymously
Acne is caused by inflammation of the hair follicle, and therefore your condition is scientifically called scalp folliculitis. And it is with such a pathology that patients often complain of itching.
Why these rashes appear is still not fully known to science. But there is an assumption that this is a reaction of the hair follicle to the presence of microorganisms - bacteria, yeast, mites. This does not mean that you are infectious: usually microorganisms are components of the normal microflora of the skin.
Eating habits have nothing to do with your condition. Most likely, it is the wrong scalp care. You may be using high alkalinity shampoos or too much styling products.
For treatment, first of all, a neutral shampoo is used to restore the barrier properties of the scalp. Or a shampoo with an antifungal component, if it is suspected that folliculitis has arisen due to the action of fungal flora.
But it is important to consult with a dermatologist at an in-person appointment, so that he determines that you really have this disease. Usually, a simple examination is enough, but in controversial cases, it may be necessary to examine the contents of the pustules or take a piece of skin for histological examination. If the diagnosis is confirmed, and the shampoos do not help, then you may be prescribed the following:
- Topical antibiotics or tablets.
- Topical anti-inflammatory drugs.
- Antihistamines in tablets.
- Retinoids in capsules.
But there are other, similar diseases:
- Mycosis of the scalp (ringworm) - occurs due to foreign fungal flora. Therapy consists of taking antifungal drugs and measures that are designed to reduce the infectiousness of the patient. This is a disinfecting treatment of underwear and bed linen, examination of all family members and pets.
- Abscess folliculitis - a rather rare purulent-inflammatory disease of the scalp, in which large cysts and nodules appear on it. This disease requires careful selection of therapy, and treatment can take years.
Therefore, you should not treat the rash on your own. It is better to consult a doctor who will make an accurate diagnosis and select the appropriate treatment method.
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