Hair and scalp damage can have a number of causes, and not all of them are medical--as any woman who has gotten a scalp burn during a perm can attest. Still, most hair and scalp disorders arise from autoimmune problems, infections or simply genes.
Types
There are several types of hair and scalp disorders, according to the New Zealand Dermatological Society. They include conditions that cause hair loss, skin diseases that affect the scalp, infections that damage the scalp and abnormalities of the hair shaft itself.
Hair-Loss Disorders
Two common hair-loss disorders are androgenetic alopecia and telogen effluvium. Androgenetic alopecia, or pattern baldness, can affect both men and women, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine's Genetics Home Reference. In men hair thins at the crown and along the hairline. Women, on the other hand, rarely go completely bald. In most cases, the hair simply thins, sometimes leaving areas of visible scalp. Telogen effluvim is a temporary condition that's usually triggered by a traumatic health event.
Skin Disorders
Three relatively common skin conditions affecting the scalp are folliculitis, psoriasis and seborrheic dermatitis. Folliculitis causes pustules to form on top of irritated hair follicles, according to the New Zealand Dermatological Society. It's treated with topical steroids and antibiotics. Psoriasis, on the other hand, causes scalp flaking. If you have it, you'll notice scaly patches. The National Psoriasis Foundation says the condition can be treated with medicated shampoos and steroids. Seborrheic dermatitis usually affects the scalp and skin behind the ears; MedlinePlus says that it's commonly caused by excess oil production and yeast. Scaling can be treated with medicated shampoos and corticosteroids.
Scalp Infections
Often found in school-aged children, ringworm--or tinea capitis--is a fungal infection that attacks the scalp. According to Dr. Audrey Kunin of the DERMAdoctor website, the fungus spreads through contact with an infected person, object or animal, which is why kids often bring it home after sharing combs, brushes or hats. The fungus causes scaly patches and hair loss. It's treated with six to eight weeks of oral anti-fungal medication.
Hair Shaft Disorders
Although rare, hair-shaft disorders can appear in children, according to the New Zealand Dermatological Society. They may be difficult to diagnose, sometimes requiring inspection of the hair under an electron microscope. One of the most common conditions, monilethrix, or beaded hair, causes the hair to become dry and brittle. As a result, the hair breaks easily and sometimes falls out. Pili torti, or twisted hair, causes curly hair that's weak and also falls out, sometimes at an early age. Both conditions are genetic.
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