Many factors work toward the development of a dry, white, flaky scalp. For some, it is the air from indoor heat in winter months, for others, there may be a medical explanation. Treatments vary, but some basic approaches may help hydrate the area...
Dandruff is the catch-all term for a variety of different conditions that can affect your scalp. This condition usually manifests itself in the form of white flakes that form on the skin and fall away when you brush your hair or scratch your head....
You have the highest concentration of hair follicles on your head. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, over 100,000 scalp hairs actively grow from these hair follicles. When the follicles become infected by bacteria, you may develop...
The scalp is the area of skin that covers the entire top of the head. Scalp diseases are conditions that affect this area of skin and can be a result of fungal infections, hormonal changes or autoimmune disorders. Most scalp diseases cause changes...
Hair follicles are small sacs from which hairs grow. Hair follicles are densest on the scalp, but they also occur in most other places on the body. Spots on the scalp are commonly the result of a bacterial infection referred to as folliculitis....
Your scalp is made of three layers that cover the top of your skull. Beneath your hair are layers of skin, connective tissue with blood vessels and muscle. These layers are loosely attached to your scull by a type of connective tissue called the...
Human Herpes Virus 6, also called "exanthem subitum," "sixth disease," and "roseola," is a common disease that usually affects infants. Caused by one of the eight herpes strains that can infect humans, roseola infects most children by the time...
Dandruff is a persistent scalp condition that typically causes itching and produces flaking on your scalp. Dry skin is the most common cause of itchy, flaky skin, according to the Mayo Clinic. A dry scalp is one cause of dandruff. However the...
Eczema is not a specific skin condition but is the name for a group of skin conditions characterized by swollen, irritated and itchy skin. The specific cause of each different type of eczema in not known but it tends to run in families suggesting...
Ringworm infections are not caused by worms but rather by fungi collectively called dermatophytes. These fungi are commonly associated with hair, skin and nail infections. Dermatophytes gravitate to moist parts of the skin, such as folds or...
There are a number of possible causes for an extremely itchy scalp, which is often accompanied by redness and flaking. Fortunately a number of topical treatments are available to help stop the itch and diminish flakiness.
Cellulitis is an infection that occurs when harmful bacteria invade your skin. Fifty to 60 percent of cases start with an injury, such as a wound, insect bite or burn, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Symptoms include...
Head lice often emerge in schools, as they are a common problem among children ages three to 12 years, due to close contact and sharing, according to Kids Health. These tiny wingless insects feed on blood drawn from the scalp, causing chronic...
Psoriasis is a skin disease that causes skin cells to build quickly on the surface of the skin. As a result of this, thick silvery scales or dry, red patches form on the skin. The condition may also cause a thickening of the nails as well as...
Psoriasis is a chronic skin condition that causes skin cells to divide too rapidly, resulting in thick red skin with white silver-white patches. You may have periods when psoriasis symptoms go into remission, alternating with times your psoriasis...
A number of common skin conditions can cause big bumps on the scalp. While unsightly, many of these conditions remain benign. However, in some cases these bumps may indicate the presence of serious health complications such as skin cancer. Speak...
According to the National Institute of Health (NIH), the neck is one of several areas where the lymph nodes (also referred to as lymph glands) can be detected by touch. Swollen lymph nodes can be due to a viral or bacterial infection as well as...
Persistent dandruff plagues millions of people each year. Dandruff occurs when skin cells on the scalp grow and shed at an excessive rate, causing mild to moderate itching. Another annoying symptom of persistent dandruff is the appearance of...
The eye, like any part of the body, can become the victim of an infection. An eye infection can affect the eyelids or eyelashes, the inner pink lining of the eyelid or the eye itself. Generally, symptoms include eye pain, blurry vision and red...
Seeing those white flakes of skin on your shoulders is an embarrassing and difficult-to-control problem, but not a hopeless one. The first step is determining whether you're suffering from dandruff or psoriasis, which can resemble each other in...
Dandruff, a chronic scalp condition that causes itching and flaking skin, results from abnormal activity of the sebaceous glands. In most cases, dandruff does not pose a serious health risk. Mild cases may require nothing more than regular...
The Mayo Clinic's website reports that ringworm of the scalp is one of several types of ringworm infection. A fungal infection, ringworm can affect anyone of any age. If you believe that you may have a case of ringworm of the scalp, you should...
Dandruff is a common, noncontagious scalp condition that can cause itching and flaking skin. Although rarely serious, dandruff is unsightly and can be embarrassing. MayoClinic.com says you should see your doctor if your scalp becomes red or...
Despite its name, ringworm isn't a disease caused by any kind of worm. It is actually a type of fungal skin infection that falls under the collective name of tinea. Although anyone can develop ringworm, children suffer from these infections far...
Clinically known as infantile seborrheic dermatitis, cradle cap is a noncontagious skin problem that commonly affects infants, typically appearing within the first three months of life. Cradle cap is characterized by a scaly, patchy rash on a...