With winter comes itchy scalp, dandruff and hair loss. Dry hair is brittle and prone to breakage. Dryness of scalp leads to dandruff which makes the scalp itchy. Itching forces the patient to scratch the head repeatedly without even realizing it. Frequent itch and scratch cycle makes the scalp prone to infections. Most of this infection is passed on through contaminated hands which carry a lot of germs. These germs are unknowingly transmitted on to the scalp while scratching. These infections are usually contagious and can also be transmitted through contaminated combs, pillow covers, towels etc.
Furthermore, because of the cold weather, some people reduce the frequency of shampooing their hair. This is seen in BPO workers and school children, who leave their home very early in the morning. While there may be genuine concerns of catching a cold, a basic level of scalp hygiene is very essential. There was a case of a patient who preferred to shampoo his hair only once in a month for fear of catching sinusitis attack. Well, he did not catch sinusitis, but developed a massive scalp infection and suffered hair loss in the process. One can always find alternatives to the situation. For example during winters, shampooing can be done at a different time, like in the late afternoons or evening when the weather is relatively warmer.
Dr Shahid Shamsher is a leading Trichologist certified from UK, Australia & India. He consults at Dr Health Clinics and can be contacted on 080-42067474 to 75
Dr. Shahid Shamsher is one of India’s first certified Trichologist practicing in the field of Trichology for 27 years and is recognized as one of the Best Hair Doctor in Bangalore. He is the only Trichologist in India to be simultaneously certified from the U.K, Australia, and India.
