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Have Flaky, Itchy Scalp With Dry And Damaged Hair. Skin Around Nails Chips Off. Cause?

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Posted on Sun, 15 Sep 2013
Question: Vegetarian Female, i have flaky scalp, sometimes it becomes itchy (recently started). i also have fine hair hair. recently my hair became very dry looks damaged. The Skin around my nails chips off, does this mean i am facing any vitamin deficiency.
please suggest.

Regards,
XXXXX
doctor
Answered by Dr. Kalpana Pathak (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
You could be having seborrheic dermatitis

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX
The cause for your itchy flaky scalp could be seborrheic dermatitis.
To treat the same, use a ketoconazole shampoo every alternate day. Dilute it in water, apply it over scalp and let it sit for five to 10 minutes then wash off. Use a steroid salicylic acid lotion in night over scalp. Once the dandruff clears off, stop the steroid lotion and continue with shampoo once in a week.

Dry damaged hair along with brittle or chipped nails points towards some nutrtional deficiency( usually biotin).
Take a nutritional hair supplement containing protein, vitamins and minerals like tablet adgain, revilus or follihair atleast for a month. Improve your diet by incorporating soy products, dairy products, lentils, sprouts,eggs, fish, lean meats fruits, salads, green leafy vegetables and nuts in your diet.
Exercise regularly, atleast half an hour regularly. Go for long walks or practice yoga. Exercise not only improves health but also reduces stress which improves your skin and hair in long run.

Oil your hair only once in a week with warm coconut oil or olive oil. Use a shampoo meant for fine hair and apply a suitable conditioner after every wash.

Avoid any salon chemical hair procedures as it may aggravate your hair problem.

Too much oiling is not advised as it may increase dandruff.

Hope that answered your query. Should there be any doubt please write back.
Take care
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Kalpana Pathak (1 hour later)
Thank u kalpana


i am a vegetarian so no meat, these vitamin supplement u have suggested will it also helps to lose weight??
doctor
Answered by Dr. Kalpana Pathak (18 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Supplements do not help lose weight

Detailed Answer:
HI,
Thanks for writing back.
If you are a vegetarian increase intake of soya products, lentils, sprouts tofu etc to supplement protein.

Multivitamins are just supplements these do not aid in weight loss and should not be taken as an alternative to healthy diet ie one cannot go on crash diets and supplement vitamins, minerals and proteins by taking these tablets.

The supplements that I have suggested are to be used along with proper intake of food.
Hope that helped!
Take care
Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Kalpana Pathak

Dermatologist

Practicing since :2006

Answered : 2014 Questions

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Have Flaky, Itchy Scalp With Dry And Damaged Hair. Skin Around Nails Chips Off. Cause?

Brief Answer:
You could be having seborrheic dermatitis

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX
The cause for your itchy flaky scalp could be seborrheic dermatitis.
To treat the same, use a ketoconazole shampoo every alternate day. Dilute it in water, apply it over scalp and let it sit for five to 10 minutes then wash off. Use a steroid salicylic acid lotion in night over scalp. Once the dandruff clears off, stop the steroid lotion and continue with shampoo once in a week.

Dry damaged hair along with brittle or chipped nails points towards some nutrtional deficiency( usually biotin).
Take a nutritional hair supplement containing protein, vitamins and minerals like tablet adgain, revilus or follihair atleast for a month. Improve your diet by incorporating soy products, dairy products, lentils, sprouts,eggs, fish, lean meats fruits, salads, green leafy vegetables and nuts in your diet.
Exercise regularly, atleast half an hour regularly. Go for long walks or practice yoga. Exercise not only improves health but also reduces stress which improves your skin and hair in long run.

Oil your hair only once in a week with warm coconut oil or olive oil. Use a shampoo meant for fine hair and apply a suitable conditioner after every wash.

Avoid any salon chemical hair procedures as it may aggravate your hair problem.

Too much oiling is not advised as it may increase dandruff.

Hope that answered your query. Should there be any doubt please write back.
Take care