Headlice?

Head lice has been in existence since the beginning of time. In the times of Cleopatra and King Tut era. These people used to shave their heads in order to get rid of these annoying contagious critters.

Head lice can easily be passed from one person to another through head to head contact, sharing of combs & brushes and of course by sleeping with someone who is already infested with head lice.

This is a picture of a lady that has lice attached to her hair.

Below is a picture of a few dead head lice.

Head lice has to be shampooed and combed out with a head lice shampoo and fine tooth comb found inside the box. This shampoo can be found in any pharmacy near you. Follow all shampoo instructions and make sure all bed linens and clothes are washed well, the entire bed has to be sprayed with a head lice spray, all hair brushes and combs need to be completely washed and cleaned before using again. The head lice spray will destroy the eggs or living lice on the bed itself. Spray the bed, chairs and the room of the patient who is contagious as well as everyone who lives in the house should have at least 3 applications in a row with the head lice shampoo for the next 3 days or until no infestation is present.

Head lice is highly contagious ailment and children must be kept home until the infestation has been cured and the school has permitted them to return.

Disorders of the Scalp...Part 1

Just as the skin is continually being shed and replaced, the uppermost layer of the scalp is being cast off all the time. Ordinarily these horney scales are loose and fall off freely. The natural shedding of these horney scales should not be mistaken for dandruff.

DANDRUFF

Dandruff... Dandruff consists of small while scales that usually appear on the scalp and hair. It is also known by the medical terminally Pityarasis. Long neglected dandruff may lead to baldness.

A direct cause of dandruff is the excessive shedding of the epithelial cells. Instead of growing to the surface and falling off, the horny scales accumulate on the scalp.

Indirect or associated cause of dandruff is a sluggish condition of the scalp, occasioned by poor circulation, infection, injury, lack of nerve stimulation, improper diet, and uncleanliness. Contributing causes are the use of strong shampoos and insufficient rinses of the hair after every shampoo.

Two types of Dandruff

1. Pitriasis capatis simplex- Dry dandruff type.

2. Pityriasis steatides- Greasy or waxy dandruff type.

ALOPECIA

Alopecia is the technical term for any abnormal loss of hair.

The natural falling out of hair should not be confused with alopecia. When hair has grown to its natural length it comes out on its own and then it is replaced by new hair. The natural shedding of hair occurs most often in the Spring and in the Fall.

Aleopecia Prematurea: Is a form of baldness, beginning anytime before middle age with a slow thinning process. This condition is caused by the first hairs falling out and being replaced by new ones.

Alopecia Senills- Is the form of baldness occurring in old age. This loss of hair is permanent.

Alopecia Areata- Is the sudden falling out of hair in round pataches or in spots. It is often caused by anemia, scarlet fever, thyroid fever or syphilis.

RINGWORM

Tinea- This is the medical term for ringworm. Ringworm is caused by vegetable parasite. All forms are contagious and it is transmitted from one person to another. This disease is commonly carried by scales or hair containing fungi. Shower baths, swimming pools, unsanitized articles also are sources of transmission.

Ringworm starts with a small reddened patch of little blisters. Several such patches may be present. Any ringworm condition should be referred to a medical doctor.

There are 2 types of Ringworm:

1. Tinea Capitis- (Ringworm of the scalp). This is a contagious, vegetable parasite disease of the scalp, characterized by red papular or spots at the opening of the hair follicles

2. Tinea Favosa- Also called favus or honeycomb ringworm. It is am infection caused by growth causing vegetable parasite. It is characterized by dry, sulfur-yellow cup like crust on the scalp. Scars from favus are bald patches that may be pink or white and shinny. It is very contagious and should be seen by a medical doctor.

ANIMAL PARASITE INFECTIONS

Scabies...It is very itchy and it is a highly contagious animal parasitic skin disease caused by the itch mite. Vesicules and pustules may form from the irritation of the parasite or by scratching the infected area.

Pediculosis...is a contagious condition caused by the head louse (animal Parasite). As the parasite feeds on the scalp, itching occurs and the results of scratching may cause an infection. This is highly transmitted from one person to another by contact, sharing hair brushes, hats, and personal hair items. This problem can be cleared up by washing the hair at least 4 to 5 days in a row or until the scalp and hair is clear of nits and lice. Larkpur Tincture shampoo can be found in any drug store. All diseases should only be treated by a medical physician. Salons should never treat these diseases.

Dandruff...Causes & Treatment

Throughout my 34 years of studying and working with many types of hair, I have learned very well the disorders and diseases that affect the human hair. I have learned that hair diseases are not to be treated in a hair salon and only a few hair disorders can be treated by a hair stylist.

Today I will be talking about Dandruff, its affects and its treatment.

Dandruff consists of small white scales that usually appear on the scalp and hair. It is also known by the medical term of "Pityriasis."

A direct cause of dandruff is the excessive shedding of the epithelial cell. Instead of growing to the surface and falling off, the horny scales accumulate on the scalp.

Indirect or associated causes of dandruff are a sluggish condition of the scalp occasioned condition by poor circulation, infections, injury, lack of nerve stimulation, improper diet, and uncleanliness. Contributing causes are the use of strong shampoos and insufficient rinsing of the hair after a shampoo and long neglected, excessive dandruff can lead to baldness.

The two principle types of dandruff:

1. Pityriasis Capitis Simplex (dry dandruff)

This type is characterized by an itchy scalp and small white scales, which are usually attached in masses to the scalp, or scattered loosely in the hair. Occasionally, they are so profuse that they fall to the shoulders. Dry dandruff is often the results of a sluggish scalp caused by poor circulation, lack of nerve stimulation, improper diet, emotional and glandular disturbance, or uncleanliness.

Treatment for this type of dandruff:

Frequent scalp treatments, use of mild shampoos, regular scalp massages, daily use of anti-septic scalp lotions, and applications of scalp ointments may help correct this condition.

2. Pityriasis Steatoides (greasy or waxy type of dandruff):

This type of dandruff is a scaly condition of the epidermis. The scales become mixed with sebum, causing them to stick to the scalp in patches. The associated itchiness causes the person to scratch the scalp. If the greasy scales are torn off, bleeding or oozing of sebum may follow. Medical treatment is advised.

Summary:

The nature of dandruff is not clearly defined by medical authorities. It is generally believed to be infectious origin. Some authorities hold that it is due to a specific microbe. However, from the cosmetologist's point of view, both forms of dandruff are to be considered contagious and may be spread by use of common brushes, combs, and other hair articles. Therefore, the cosmetologist must take the necessary precautions to sanitize everything that comes into contact with a client.

Next week Alopecia and some contagious disorders of the scalp.