Everyone knows that little children sometimes have crusts on their heads. But not everyone met this phenomenon in the adult population. However, a similar problem is very common. Let’s talk about what causes it and how to get rid of it.
General information
The main reason for the appearance of crusts on the head in adults is an allergic reaction provoked by poor-quality hair care. But there are other factors that provoke the appearance of crusts on the head. It is very important to determine them, since the treatment that the doctor will prescribe to the patient will depend on this.
It is important to note that yellow crusts on the head of infants arise due to insufficiently strong immunity, but with time they pass by themselves. But as for adults, they should definitely be examined, since their appearance of crusts can indicate the occurrence of serious disorders in the body.
Causes
Crusts on the head of a person can appear as a result of certain allergic reactions. They can be caused by not quite high-quality or simply not suitable hair care products. Very often, crusts on the scalp in adults can occur after using inappropriate shampoo, gel, varnish or hair dye. Also, scalp can suffer due to the following factors:
- Everyday poor nutrition.
- Staying in a state of constant stress.
- The use of certain medications.
- Weakened immunity.
- The appearance of the fungus.
- Pathologies of the hormonal system, leading to increased production of sebum and to an accelerated process of regeneration of external cells.
Sometimes several factors can act simultaneously, which will complicate the treatment process. It is worth noting that in autumn and winter the scalp is especially vulnerable. Therefore, at this time, the appearance of crusts in adults is most likely. The reasons for this pattern lie in weather conditions. When it’s cold, the human immune system weakens, various diseases begin to manifest, which increases the level of stress. Against the background of all these processes, conditionally pathogenic fungi can easily be activated. It is worth noting that they are on the scalp of absolutely all people, but do not show themselves until suitable conditions for them come.
Crusts on the child’s head
The work of the sebaceous and sweat glands in babies can intensify, which leads to the formation of seborrheic crusts. The reasons for this are as follows:
- Excessive overheating.
- The crusts on the baby’s head can indicate an allergic reaction that arose due to inaccuracies in nutrition.
- Cosmetics for the care of the skin and hair of a child should be properly selected. Otherwise, this leads to irritation, the answer to which is scaly formations. Frequent shampooing will lead to the same result.
- Contact pathology can also provoke this pathology.
How to remove crusts on the head of a baby?
The most effective way to fix the problem is to comb out. There is a certain technique for this. Scratching the crusts with nails or sharp objects is impossible, as this can lead to injury to delicate skin. To facilitate the process, crusts should be pre-soaked. It is best to cleanse the baby’s skin after bathing.
The elimination of yellow crusts on the child’s head is carried out with cosmetic or sterile vegetable oil (liquid paraffin is also suitable), a thin cap, baby shampoo and a comb are also required.
The main symptoms in an adult
White crusts on the head of adults appear gradually. It all starts with a mild itch, then dandruff may occur on the head. These are not crusts yet, but at any moment the process of their formation can begin. After a while, the scales of dandruff stick together with sebum, the production of which increases significantly. This leads to the formation of crusts. They can grow or periodically separate independently.
Sometimes the crusts on the head stick strongly enough to the skin, which makes their subsequent separation extremely painful. All scalp on the background of this can begin to peel off. Sometimes the disease goes beyond the hair, starting to spread in areas behind the ears or around the eyebrows. Dandruff scales may become yellow or pink in color.
The more neglected this condition on the head of an adult, the more difficult it will be to determine the cause of the appearance of crusts and to select the necessary treatment. It should be borne in mind that over time, the scalp can become covered with pustules and wounds. To handle all this in the hair is quite difficult. Therefore, in no case should one drag time, but one should begin to act immediately after it is possible to suspect something was amiss.
The described disease is also called seborrheic dermatitis. It can be wet or dry. Sometimes this ailment is aggravated by the appearance of acne on the scalp.
Treatment and disposal of crusts
No matter how terrible this problem may seem, therapy should help absolutely at any stage of this disease. Crusts on the head of an adult can indicate the presence of a serious fungal disease. If it is not cured, you can lose hair or bring the infection into the blood. Unfortunately, no one is safe from such a development of events, therefore, in the event of incomprehensible symptoms, you should always consult a doctor. After conducting a thorough study and the necessary tests, which will definitely need to be passed, the specialist will prescribe ointment treatment, prescribe antibiotics and recommend a special shampoo.
Ointments
More often prescribed antifungal agents. They are able to inhibit the development of mycospores. It is recommended to apply the ointment using disposable cotton sponges. Thanks to this procedure, fungal colonies will be reduced on the skin surface and the inflammatory process will be removed. Also, the ointment will help eliminate itching.
How to remove the crusts on the head, many people who are faced with a similar problem are interested.
Shampoos
Medicated shampoos are also a good remedy. But it should be remembered that in order to achieve the effect, a person needs to use them often. First you need to try to wash their hair in a day. Sometimes seborrheic dermatitis can develop very rapidly. It can cause a threat to the health of the human body. In such situations, specialists prescribe antibiotics. The doctor can choose pills or ointments based on antibiotics. In any case, the appointment will directly depend on the level of skin lesions on the head.
It is possible that a dermatologist will refer such a patient to an endocrinologist. Often the cause of seborrhea is a malfunction of the sebaceous glands, which is regulated by hormones. In such a situation, treatment with antifungal agents is ineffective. If you establish a hormonal background, the disease will soon pass. The patient will only have to get rid of dried crusts. At risk are mostly teenagers, women during menopause, all those who have hormonal imbalance. To some extent, pregnant women fall into the risk zone.
What else can be done if crusts appear on the head?
Home treatment
In the event that the scalp is covered with white crusts, you can’t rush them off, otherwise wounds are likely to appear. So you can bring an infection, getting rid of which will be very difficult. If seborrhea is dry, smear the crusts with baby cream. A plastic cap is put on top and wrapped with a towel. This procedure is best done immediately after shampooing. Next, you need to thoroughly comb your hair. You can also pick some peels. They should be easy to remove. After this, preventive procedures must be carried out so that seborrheic dermatitis does not develop again.
Removing crusts is extremely important, as they interfere with the penetration of medicinal substances into the skin. After getting rid of crusts, you need to pay attention to skin disinfection. To do this, it is recommended to prepare a shampoo with tea tree oil. For this purpose, a small container is taken, the ingredients are mixed in it and then they wash their hair with the resulting mixture. As part of the preparation of this product, literally a few drops of tea tree oil should be dripped into the required amount of shampoo. This will be quite enough to get a therapeutic effect. Processing seborrheic crusts on the head in a similar way will make it possible to eliminate a variety of bacteria.
Additional measures
Treatment alone will not eradicate seborrhea forever. The causes of this unpleasant disease also need to be removed. This will require:
- Establish your diet.
- Minimize stress.
- Eliminate health problems.
Diet is extremely important in order to normalize metabolism. If a person’s menu is balanced, then all body systems will work normally, and immunity will be able to fight against fungus and dangerous microorganisms. Vitamins A and E play a particularly important role in ensuring good skin condition. They are best obtained with food. Due to this, their absorption will be much higher. We must not forget that nutrition must necessarily be correct. It is necessary to try to use only those products for which there is definitely no allergy.
It is very useful to rinse your hair with herbs. Decoctions should be prepared from chamomile. A series of other skin-soothing plants are also suitable.
If crusts have formed due to severe stress, treatment will not help until irritants are ruled out. It is extremely important to create for yourself a wholesome atmosphere at home and worry less for any reason. It never hurts to strengthen your immunity. To do this, you can drink vitamin complexes. A strong immune system is able to cope with fungi and bacteria on its own.
Preventative measures
So that the crusts on the head do not arise again, it is necessary to prevent seborrhea, which consists in the following:
- It is required to eat right.
- A suitable shampoo must be selected, preferably with a content of zinc and ketonazole.
- It is equally important to be regularly examined in the clinic.
- It is required to control stress and chronic pathologies.
All of the above recommendations will certainly help the body stay in shape. Performing preventive measures, a person will be able to prevent the next occurrence of seborrhea.