Hair and Scalp - Disorders and Diseases

alopecia totalis

total loss of all terminal scalp hair

tinea

ringworm; contagious condition caused by fungal infection; characterized by itching, scales, and— sometimes—painful lesions

pediculosis capitis

infestation of the hair and scalp with head lice

canities

technical term for gray or white hair; results from the loss of the hair’s natural melanin pigment

hirsuties

growth of terminal hair on a woman’s body in an area that would not typically have terminal hair; often found on upper lip, chin, cheeks and chest

hypertrichosis

condition of hair growth where the hair grows longer or thicker than usual

carbuncles

inflammation of the subcutaneous tissue caused by staphylococci; a cluster of furuncles

fragilitas crinium

technical term for brittle hair

scabies

highly contagious condition caused by mites called Sarcoptes scabiei that lay eggs inside the skin

monilethrix

technical term for beaded hair

scutula

dry, sulfur-yellow crusts on the scalp in tinea favosa or tinea favus; has distinctive odor

pityriasis steatoides

severe case of dandruff characterized by an accumulation of greasy or waxy scales mixed with sebum that stick to the scalp in crusts

alopecia areata

autoimmune disorder that causes the affected hair follicles to be attacked by the immune system; usually begins with one or more small, round, smooth bald patches on the scalp

alopecia

partial or complete hair loss from where it typically grows

androgenic alopecia

also known as androgenetic alopecia; hair loss characterized by miniaturization of terminal hair and a shortened anagen phase; it can affect anyone and is caused by genetics, age, or hormonal changes

malassezia

naturally occurring fungus that is present on all human skin; fungus that causes visibly shed skin cells, or dandruff, that can sit on the scalp and create dryness, itchiness, and discomfort

trichorrhexis nodosa

knotted hair; characterized by brittleness and the formation of nodular swellings along the hair shaft

trichoptilosis

split ends

postpartum alopecia

temporary hair loss experienced after the conclusion of pregnancy

pityriasis

technical term for dandruff; characterized by excessive production and shedding of skin cells

furuncle

boil; acute, localized bacterial infection of the tissue surrounding a hair follicle

alopecia universalis

loss of terminal hair on the body and scalp

tinea favosa

also known as tinea favus or honeycomb ringworm; fungal infection characterized by dry, sulfuryellow crusts on the scalp called scutula

pityriasis capitis simplex

technical term for classic dandruff; characterized by scalp irritation, large flakes, and itchy scalp

ringed hair

variety of canities characterized by alternating bands of gray and pigmented hair throughout the length of the hair strand

folliculitis

inflammation or infection of the hair follicles

melanin

tiny grains of pigment in the cortex that give natural color to the hair