What disease causes hair loss

Loss of hair shine is one of the constant complaints about hair. The reasons for this can be many factors - improper care, temperature changes, malnutrition.  But there is a disease that leads to a loss of hair shine, and the hair takes on the appearance of tow.

Most diseases of the skin, hair and nails are caused by fungi. The results of the vital activity of the fungus on human skin are always noticeable, unpleasant and are the reason for going to the doctor. So, the skin, hair and nails can be affected by the fungus Achorion and provoke a disease called favus, or it is also called scab. This fungus affects people of all ages.

Scalp fungus. Causes of favus

The fungus of the scalp has different forms depending on the pathogen. Infection with favus occurs with prolonged close contact with a sick scab. Women and children are more susceptible to the disease. With close contact, the mycelium of the fungus is introduced into the stratum corneum of the perifollicular epithelium of the scalp, then migrates into the hair follicles and even into the hair itself, taking the form of longitudinal chains. These chains are composed of arthrospores.

In this case, the hair loses its luster, as its surface is disturbed. Near the mouth of the hair, the stratum corneum is filled with mycelium of the fungus, which leads to cracking, after which scooters are formed. This is the culture of the fungus. The scutula is surrounded by leukocytes and exudate with destroyed epithelial cells. With the development of the process, the fungus of the scalp penetrates the layers of the skin with the formation of an infiltrate, which consists of lymphocytes and fibroblasts.

With a long-term favus, atrophic processes, destruction of sweat and sebaceous glands are observed in the skin. Elastic tissues and collagen fibers melt and form post-favus scars. So, with the contact-household interaction of people, the fungus can stay on the skin and hair of a person for a long time, infecting more and more people. The presence of injuries and microcracks on the skin are predisposing factors for infection of the scalp with a fungus.

Peculiarities of scab. Clinical manifestations of favus

Smooth skin and scalp are most often affected with scab, and less often nails. The incubation period is 2 weeks. Clinical manifestations begin with the formation of dry round yellow crusts, which are often saucer-shaped with a depression in its center. When the scooters are located in the hair follicle, these "saucers" pierced with hair.

These scooters tend to coalesce to form continuous crusts. With prolonged progression of scab and the absence of adequate therapy, an unpleasant smell of barn mold appears. The process often causes cicatricial atrophy of the skin, sometimes even baldness. At the same time, areas of atrophied skin have a smooth, even surface. With scab, the hair on the scalp looks like tow, because it does not have a shine.

A feature of the symptoms of scab is that with favus, the hair falls out, while with other fungal skin lesions, they break off. Often the hair looks gray because of the spores on the hair, which is light in color. In patients with concomitant diseases, immunodeficiency, weakened, the disease proceeds very aggressively.

Methods of treatment and ways to prevent scab

In the treatment of such a fungal infection of the scalp as scab, the scalp is treated once a week after shaving the hair. Topically applied ointments with antifungal activity, as well as systemic antifungal drugs. The crusts on the head are softened with vaseline oil. Only after detachment of the stratum corneum of the epidermis, local preparations are used. When the nail is affected, varnishes with an antifungal effect are used or the nail is removed surgically. They also carry out the therapy of concomitant diseases, carry out general strengthening measures to increase the immune forces of the body.

The treatment of scab is long, but it brings an effect. The prognosis for adequate treatment is favorable. But when baldness has begun, this process cannot be stopped.

In order to prevent scab, it is important to strengthen the body and undergo regular medical examinations. At the first suspicion of a scalp fungus, as well as a sharp loss of hair shine, you should contact a dermatologist or trichologist.