Female Scalp

Dandruff

Dandruff is the most common condition affecting the scalp. The skin cells on the scalp are constantly renewing and the old cells get pushed to the surface by the new ones.

If you have dandruff, the process of skin renewal speeds up to twice the normal rate, so a greater number of dead cells are shed. The scalp will become scaly and the skin cells shed and collect intro clumps.

Dandruff produces greyish white flakes of skin which are often visible on the hair and the shoulders if they fall down. You can also experience some itching and soreness of the scalp.


For further detailed information, visit http://www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk/articles/article.aspx?articleId=121&sectionId=10

The head louse is a tiny reddish-brown insect, about 2.5mm long. Head lice cling to the hair and are usually found on the scalp. They live on blood from the human, which they get by biting through the scalp.

Lice pass from one person to another during head-to-head contact; they cannot fly, jump or hop. The belief that head lice are associated with poor hygiene and dirty hair is untrue; lice are equally as likely to be found on clean or dirty hair.
Bites from head lice can cause intense itching on the scalp, and a rash at the nape of the neck may also develop.


For further detailed information, visit http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/diseases/facts/lice.htm  

Headache

Headaches involve a mild to severe pain in one or more parts of the head. There are many different type of headache patterns and causes:

Tension Headaches
This type of headache results from contraction of the head and neck muscles. It is the most common type of headache and accounts for 70% of all headaches. Possible causes of tension headaches include:

• Stress
• Poor posture
• Eye strain
• Fatigue
• Alcohol and tobacco use

Migraine Headaches
This type of headache occurs when blood vessels of the head and neck constrict, resulting in a decrease in blood flow to the vessels.

Migraines are usually experienced as a throbbing pain on one side of the head, accompanied by a feeling of sickness and sensitivity to light and sound. Possible causes of migraine headaches include:

• Family history of migraines
• Stress
• Prolonged muscle tension
• Fatigue
• Alcohol and tobacco use
• Certain foods

For further detailed information, visit http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/diseases/facts/headache.htm

Insomnia

Insomnia is the disturbance of a normal sleep pattern. Sleep is a state of consciousness which gives the body time to rest and build up strength. While you are asleep, your body goes through different stages at approximately 90-minute cycles. These include light sleep, deep sleep and dreaming. Difficulties with sleep can appear in a variety of ways:

• Difficulty in getting to sleep (sleep onset insomnia)
• Waking in the middle of the night (frequent nocturnal awakening)
• Waking early in the morning
• Not feeling refreshed after sleep

Insomnia can last anything from days to years, and is defined by transient insomnia (2-3 days), short-term insomnia (less than 3 weeks) and chronic insomnia (3 weeks +).


For further detailed information, visit http://www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk/articles/article.aspx?articleId=21  
 

Anxiety

Anxiety is a response to stress or danger that normally comes with depression.

The main symptoms are:

• Agitation
• Inner tension
• Fear
• Racing heart beat
• Chest tightness
• Sweating

For further information, visit http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/diseases/depression/anxietydisorders_000017.htm

To find out about the range of treatments available for anxiety then you will need to consult a doctor

Depression

Depression is feeling of extreme sadness which interferes with your daily life. It can last for weeks, months or years.

The main symptoms are:

• Low mood
• Feeling helpless
• Low self-esteem
• Reduced sex drive
• Lack of motivation/enjoyment
• Slowed movement
• Change in appetite
• Aches and pains
• Lack of energy
• Changes to menstrual cycle (female)

For further information, visit http://www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk/articles/article.aspx?articleId=127&sectionId=1


To find out about the range of treatments available for depression then you will need to consult a doctor


Hair Loss

Hair loss can affect both men and women. In many cases hair loss is due to drugs given to treat cancer. Hair loss can be due to problems with the immune system, oversensitive hair follicle and anaemia.

For further information, visit http://www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk/articles/article.aspx?articleId=12&sectionId=1


To find out about the range of treatments available for hair loss then you will need to consult a doctor