Importance of Head Hygiene: Addressing Scalp Care to Prevent Infections
It is common to use headgear due to weather. In the monsoon season, it often increases. Excessive use of headgear can harm the scalp’s health. People frequently protect their faces with scarves but overlook scalp care. Neglecting scalp care can lead to fungal infections. Therefore, paying attention to scalp care is essential.
Risk of Fungal Infection from Scalp Care
According to Dr. Rashmi Sharma, a dermatologist at Delhi’s Vasant Kunj Fortis Hospital, using headgear in warm weather is a common practice. However, if hair is covered for an extended period, it can lead to infections.
Indeed, as body temperature rises, sweat is released from the body. In such situations, sweat is released to cool the body. It can come from the face, hands, forehead, feet, or any part of the body. If you use headgear, you need to dry it.
To prevent fungal infection from scalp care, make sure to dry your hair and scalp thoroughly.
Excessive Scalp Care and Hyperhidrosis
Excessive scalp care can lead to hyperhidrosis, a condition where the body produces too much sweat. There are two types of hyperhidrosis:
- Primary Hyperhidrosis: This is the most common type and is triggered by an increase in body temperature or physical activities like walking, jogging, or exercising, leading to excessive sweating on the scalp.
- Secondary Hyperhidrosis: This is due to medical reasons. If a person suffers from heart disease, diabetes, cancer, stroke, or thyroid issues, they might experience increased sweating on the scalp due to these conditions.
It can also occur due to menopause or the use of antidepressant medications.
Scalp Irritation Due to Excessive Hair Washing
Scalp irritation occurs when hair is washed too frequently. Excessive washing leads to an increase in scalp’s natural oils and can cause frequent itching. Medically referred to as ‘scalp folliculitis’, it can result from product buildup, sweat, and dirt accumulation.
Prolonged and frequent washing can also cause flakiness, redness, or dryness on the scalp. Additionally, the hair’s roots residing in the scalp can become weaker due to this, initiating hair thinning.
It is important to note that the scalp’s skin can also become sensitive and dry, leading to hair becoming brittle and prone to breakage due to excessive washing.
Not Shampooing and Environmental Changes also Contribute
According to Dr. Rashmi Sharma, many people don’t wash their hair for weeks. In such cases, the scalp collects dirt and dust. Sebum, the natural oil produced by the scalp, can also clog the hair follicles, leading to greasy hair. If hair is not cleaned, the accumulation of sweat on the scalp can deteriorate its health. It’s essential to shampoo 3 to 4 times a week during summers.
Apart from this, environmental changes also contribute to scalp issues. Heat and humidity can lead to excessive sweating on the scalp, affecting its health.
Harm from Scarves or Helmets
Girls often wear stoles, scarves, or helmets on their heads. During this season, many girls cover their faces and heads, but when they wear these accessories for prolonged periods, it can harm their scalp. The habit of covering their heads with these items can suffocate the scalp by not allowing air circulation and increase the risk of infection.
Moreover, wearing helmets for extended periods or tying hair too tightly can also have similar effects.
Hair Care Practices That Can Lead to Dandruff
The monsoon season is not friendly to scalp health. During this season, increased sweating and excess moisture can lead to dandruff in the hair. People with naturally oily skin are at a higher risk of developing dandruff during this time.
Many individuals often use hair products that don’t suit them well, exacerbating the issue. Due to this, they end up using excessive hair products, leading to dandruff. Before using any hair product, perform a patch test. Choose a shampoo according to your scalp’s condition.
Limit Consumption of Spicy and Spiced Foods
Some people enjoy flavorful and spicy dishes. However, consuming spicy foods can also lead to excessive sweating on the scalp.
Indeed, capsaicin, a compound found in chili peppers, affects the nervous system and increases body temperature. It’s better to reduce the intake of spicy foods to promote better scalp health.
Negative Impact of Mental Stress
In today’s fast-paced life, everyone faces stress, which adversely affects mental health. People who experience anger or anxiety tend to accumulate stress, leading to its impact on mental well-being. Additionally, individuals struggling with depression also face similar challenges, resulting in increased stress levels.
Moreover, individuals with certain phobias might also experience heightened stress from specific triggers. For instance, many individuals feel stressed while driving or encountering heights, which leads to increased stress levels.
Reducing stressors in daily life can greatly contribute to maintaining better mental health.
Reduced Usage of Botox
Botox is a beauty treatment, but it can also lead to reduced perspiration. Botox injections slow down nerve activity and affect the sweat glands, resulting in decreased perspiration while the treatment is active.
Apart from that, consuming small, frequent meals can also reduce perspiration. Eating smaller portions every 2 hours aids digestion and helps stabilize energy levels, leading to decreased perspiration.
Water Enhances Hydration, Reduces Perspiration
Drinking water throughout the day is essential for maintaining hydration levels and reducing perspiration. Staying well-hydrated can also help alleviate scalp and hair issues, including dandruff. Additionally, hydration promotes healthy and lustrous hair.
