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Seborrheic Dermatitis: The Main Cause of Hair Loss and Baldness in the Philippines
Seborrheic dermatitis is one of the most common forms of skin inflammation in the Philippines. This condition occurs when the sebaceous glands become overactive, causing inflammation that leads to uncomfortable symptoms and affects aesthetics. The condition is persistent, often recurring, and difficult to treat completely.
A woman with long-term untreated seborrheic dermatitis (PTV Philippines)
1. Is seborrheic dermatitis dangerous?
2. Causes of seborrheic dermatitis
In an interview with Health and Life magazine, Dr. Maria Victoria Dizon, a member of the Philippine Dermatological Association specializing in scalp diseases like fungal infections and dandruff, expressed concern over the increasing number of scalp-related conditions among young people, which lead to itching, hair loss, and pustules.
Dr. Maria Victoria Dizon – Dermatologist and Scalp Specialist
3. Is this the main cause of baldness in the Philippines?
Scalp dermatitis weakens the hair and exacerbates hair loss if not controlled. When scalp dermatitis is left untreated, prolonged inflammation can damage hair follicles, causing hair to grow thinner and weaker. This can create thinning hair and lead to permanent baldness.
Skin Diseases Diseases by Body Part Skin
When affected by seborrheic dermatitis, the skin will peel into pink patches in areas of the skin that produce a lot of oil, such as the nose, cheeks, ears, eyebrows, and additionally, the scalp, chest, and back can also be affected.
In severe cases, scalp fungus can lead to serious risks, such as when a patient develops a severe fungal infection called kerion. Kerion manifests as soft, swollen lesions that protrude from the skin, oozing pus and forming thick, yellowish scales on the scalp.
Failure to keep the scalp clean leads to sweat, dirt, and dead skin cells, creating a moist environment conducive to fungal growth. Improper hair washing techniques, such as scratching excessively and rubbing the scalp too harshly while washing, can also cause scalp abrasions. Damaged skin allows the fungus to penetrate and infect deeper layers.
Busy individuals often leave their scalp dirty before washing it. People who wash their hair at night but don't fully dry it before sleeping are also at risk. These habits can contribute to fungal infections. Additionally, sharing personal items such as combs, hats, and bed linens with infected individuals increases the risk of transmission.
Washing hair only when it’s dirty creates an environment conducive to fungus infiltrating hair strands
- Infection from animals:
Pets can harbor various types of fungi, and improper cleaning after contact can lead to fungal infections. These fungi can be transmitted to humans. Moreover, polluted environments and contaminated water sources with bacteria and fungi can also cause scalp fungal infections.
A man with long-term scalp dermatitis leading to weak hair and patchy hair loss.