Table of contents:
- Is there a hair specialist?
- Hair problems that dermatologists treat
- A dermatologist's diagnosis of hair problems
- What about children who have hair problems?
Severe hair loss and other hair damages are simply not treated with home care. You certainly need to consult a doctor. However, what specialist doctors should visit to treat hair problems such as hair loss?
Is there a hair specialist?
Scalp problems that affect the health of your hair will certainly affect not only your health, but also your appearance. Various ways have been done to overcome the problem without the help of a doctor, but it has not improved.
Most people may be confused about what specialist to treat hair problems, including hair loss.
The good news is, you can see a skin specialist or commonly called a dermatologist. Apart from dealing with the skin, dermatologists also deal with hair and nail problems.
Hair problems sometimes make some people feel that they can solve it with natural ingredients. However, it is not uncommon for the disturbance to get worse and the treatment does not last long.
Fortunately, now many people are interested in consulting with a dermatologist to treat hair problems, including hair loss. The sooner this problem is checked, the better your chances of a quick recovery.
Remember, there is no hair specialist. However, you can consult a dermatologist because hair is one of their areas.
Hair problems that dermatologists treat
Not only skin, dermatologists can also treat hair damage, such as hair loss, split ends, and the effects of hair dye.
You see, the skin is one of the largest organs in the human body and is the first stronghold against bacteria and injury. Therefore, whatever happens to your skin, it can have an impact on your overall health, including your hair.
Here are some hair problems that are handled by skin specialists.
- Baldness (alopecia areata / totalis / universalis)
- Scars from hair loss, such as lichen planopilaris
- Hirsutism and hypertrichosis or excessive hair growth
- Hair loss due to autoimmune diseases or other health conditions
One of the most common problems dermatologists treat is hair loss. Excessive hair loss can be a sign of a serious condition, so it requires treatment from a doctor so that it doesn't lead to baldness.
Generally, a dermatologist will associate the cause of hair loss with the scalp, such as an infection or ringworm on the scalp.
Ringworm on the scalp or tinea capitis is common in children and causes hair roots to be weak, making it easy to fall out. If not treated quickly, of course it can make hair bald.
A dermatologist's diagnosis of hair problems
When consulting with a dermatologist about hair problems, such as hair loss, the doctor will conduct a physical examination first. In addition, the doctor will also ask about your and your family's medical history including:
- the amount of hair that falls out every day,
- how long have you experienced hair loss,
- family health history,
- diet and how to care for hair,
- health conditions, such as arthritis or thyroid problems,
- mental health history, such as stress and depression, as well
- take medications for thyroid, joint, and heart disease.
After that, the doctor will analyze the answers given and may advise you to undergo a number of tests, namely:
- blood tests to determine whether or not a thyroid problem is present,
- a hair pull test to see how much hair is falling out,
- a scalp biopsy to see if there is a scalp infection, as well
- light microscopy helps diagnose problems with the hair shaft.
What about children who have hair problems?
If you are worried that your child has problems related to hair and scalp, take it to a pediatric dermatologist. This is very necessary because children often cannot express what is really disturbing their health.
The child is also not always able to answer medical questions or is patient and cooperative during the examination. That is why pediatric dermatologists are there to examine and treat children in a way that makes them comfortable.
Equipped with special training and experience, pediatric dermatologists will know what grows and develops normally in children. There are many childhood skin diseases related to hair, including head lice and hair loss.
In some cases, skin diseases in children show more unique symptoms than adults.
Hair damage and scalp problems sometimes require special treatment from a doctor. If you feel disturbed by the condition you are experiencing, immediately consult a dermatologist to deal with hair problems.
