Month: July 2013

Question of the Month

questiontext

I have Seborrhoeic Dermatitis and I was prescribed by the doctor a shampoo. It works but I find that it dries out my hair. Is there something I could use to minimise this? This is the only shampoo that seems to help me.

Dena*

 

answertext

Hi Dena,

Most of the shampoos, both prescribed and Over the Counter, available  for dandruff and Seborrhoeic Dermatitis are  very drying to the hair. It is best to wash your hair with a regular moisturising shampoo first, then apply the medicated shampoo to your scalp only. You may have to part your hair to do this.  Leave on the shampoo for ten minutes, and then rinse as usual. You must follow with a conditioner for the hair. If that doesn’t help, then ask your doctor for a different brand. Some brands have less drying formulations and won’t affect the hair as much.

*Not real name

 

So Doc, Do you look at hair?

You’d be surprised how many times I’m asked this on a monthly basis. For some reason, persons don’t associate dermatology with hair and nails. Because of this, a lot of individuals present very late to a dermatologist, when experiencing hair loss or any scalp problem that by then very little can be done.  Hair and nails are outgrowths of skin, and as such, the dermatologist is the doctor responsible for their disorders. This month, I will be discussing the characteristics and properties of hair.