While there are many different types of skin cancer, studies show melanoma can be especially dangerous when located on the scalp.
#3: It Could Be A Reaction To Your Hair Oil
You can become sensitized to a hair product and develop what is called a contact allergy. Along with scalp flaking and redness, you may also notice a rash on other parts of your body where the product touched your skin, such as on your neck or eyelid.
The essential oils in ‘all-natural hair products can also irritate the scalp, as can some ingredients in hair-regrowth treatments.
After you stop using the offending product, things should start to clear up in two to three days, though more severe reactions can take up to two weeks to go away.
Most often, though, the source of contact allergies is hair dye, specifically a commonly used chemical called PPD (paraphenylenediamine). If you experience this and are not considering the idea of going gray, there are coloring alternatives out there—ask your hairstylist.
The scalp is also just another place where autoimmune conditions may show up and, sometimes, that may be the only place you find such a clue.
These diseases occur when your immune system attacks healthy cells and organs in your body; psoriasis, for example, is commonly marked by an itchy, scaly rash, which can affect the scalp. Of course, if you see flaking, you don’t have to assume you have an autoimmune condition if you’re otherwise healthy.
As long as you’re not dealing with unexplained symptoms (fatigue, muscle aches and a low fever are often the initial signs of autoimmune disease), it’s okay to try using regular treatments like antidandruff shampoos for four to six weeks.
If the rash doesn’t start clearing up then, see your doctor (or dermatologist). A biopsy may be the first step to discovering what’s really going on.
So shake those flakes off and find the right remedy to look your best and keep your scalp healthy.