Brief Answer: Kindly provide details; do not sound like fungus Detailed Answer: Hello, I can understand your concern for scalp itching and hair fall. It is quite common in female of young age to have hair fall and mild scalp itching. For the diagnosis of fungal infection of scalp- it is most commonly seen in children and a very rare presentation in young adults of your age. Even if it is present then do not affect all the hair roots. I differ from your doctor's diagnosis of fungal infection tentatively. Can you please elaborate some of more details so that I can help you best regarding your condition: - What is the exact condition for which you visited the doctor. Was it hair fall only or it was flaking and itching of scalp too. Was it shown to a proper dermatologist. - Since how long you have the problem of hair fall and scalp itching. - How many hair falls every day- less than 50 or more than 100. Do you see hair on your pillow and on bathroom floor. - Do you feel lots of scales or excessive heaps of scales deposited on your scalp that forms the mounts like appearance or any patches or is it simple flaking only. - Do you feel an urge to itch repeatedly on scalp. - Your occupation, daily routine, any illness in last 1 year. - Can you please let me know the medications prescribed by the doctor (or dermatologist). Hope to hear soon form your side so that I can guide you further for your problem. Regards, Dr. Sanjay Kumar Kanodia MD (Dermatology & STD)

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Brief Answer: Simple hair-fall and Pityriasis capitis Detailed Answer: Hello young lady, Thanks for providing important details. After reading your details with diligence I can make out that you are suffering from two problems- - After reading your query I can make out two basic problems- one is hair-fall and the other is dandruff or also known as Pityriasis capitis. Both of these problems are quite common in your age group persons. Now taking all the problems one by one: For hair fall: To tell you simply let me explain you some medical facts regarding this type of hair fall. We have a hair cycle divided into three parts: 1. Growing phase (Anagen): more than 85 -90 % of hair are in this phase 2. Senescence phase(Catagen): around less than 10 % of hair are in this phase and is the phase before falling. 3. Falling phase (Telogen ): a very few percentage of hair. We have almost 1 lac hair on our scalp and amongst them few percent of hair are in falling phase and then another 0.1% (around 50-100) of hair can fall everyday. In certain conditions such stressful BPO jobs and inadequate diet, some more of the hair may come in falling phase. These extra of the hair which comes in senescence are actually visible as falling hair. Now for the part of Pityriasis capitis or dandruff : Scientifically and medically our skin is a multiple layered structure. Our skin gets renewed every day. The layer which is present on the top today will be fallen off tomorrow. It will not be present tomorrow and would be dead skin in form of scales. This process is not actually visible on normally. So we can say we are just one day old from our skin most superficially. Now in some persons it is renewed at a faster pace. Because of hygiene and scalp hair this dead skin in form of scales gets entangled and trapped in form of visible of scales known as dandruff. It varies from person to person and also on other of factors which makes the difference inter-individually. Coming on to your problem which is scientifically known as “pityriasis capitis” or dandruff is highest in twenties and then recedes by itself in later part of life. It is due to the fact that the renewal of skin and the fatty acid secretion in scalp is highest at this part of life. These flakes are entangled around the hair roots and are visible as scales around the hair roots which your doctor told as fungus. Though there is a tendency to grow mild fungus on scalp skin but to be frankly saying this kind of condition is present in everybody including you and me. So it is a totally normal condition and not a fungal infection per say. That is why I disagree with the diagnosis of fungal infection. Accordingly there is no treatment which can completely remove this normal scaling. Though it can be reduced but not completely removed. So you should not be worried about this normal natural process. I suggest you certain important and simple measure which can help you in both hair fall as well dandruff. Now regarding the part hair fall kindly follow the suggestions below: 1. Eat at least 3-4 different fruits saplings per day. Every fruit is good but you can make a combination of sour with sweet fruits such as oranges, papaya and other of seasonal fruits. 2. Pulses are good source of proteins. So everyday have a small bowel full of mixed pulses. Add green leafy vegetables additionally in the pulses which contains lot of iron and vitamins in it. 3. Sprouts are the best source of fibers, minerals especially iron, vitamins and proteins too. so add it at-least alternate day if you can not make in every-day's part of meal. 4. Over night soaked and peeled almonds will give you good vitamin E which is good for the hair growth. 5. Milk and milk products should be included in every-day's schedule. 6.Do light exercises, reduce your stress as all these have bit impact on skin so also on scalp skin. If I were your dermatologist then would have prescribed you tablet containing Acetylcysteine, Calcium Pantothenate, Selenium, Zinc, Biotin, Copper as active ingredients. You can take these vitamins in the form of biotin, calicium pantothenate and other vitamin B complexes which are available at your local place. Other than this an iron supplementation in diet and in tablet form is also helpful. 5. Improve your daily schedule and do some yoga or simple exercises. Take complete 8 hours of sleep and reduce your stress level. For dandruff or scaling around your hair roots: 1. Wash your scalp daily. I guide my patients to wash twice in a single bath. It means when you are washing your scalp apply first time shampoo for washing the hair part only, then rinse it off immediately with water. Reapply the shampoo again immediately, leave it for around 5 minutes, do a good gentle massage by your fingers for around 2 minutes and then wash it off. By doing so for around 7 days you will get good benefit. 2. Stick to one good shampoo which is suiting your hair, don’t change the shampoos frequently. If you are using any conditioner also then to be used over the strands of hair only and not over the scalp skin. There is no difference of shampoos, the only part is to use good company shampoos such as Laureal or Tresemme shampoo. IF the dandruff is too high then you can use any medicated shampoo containing Ketoconazole in it. 3. Do not use any kind of hair oil or any oily or creamy stuff any time on your scalp for more 2-3 hours. Preferably apply hair oil 1-2 hour before washing your scalp. Hair oils actually induces more flaking and attract more dust so aggravating the problem. 4.Comb your hair at least 3-4 times a day and most importantly at night time so that the dust particle and other of dead skin is taken off. You can follow the above regimen for 8-12 weeks periods. This is my personal suggestion as a dermatologist that rather than beauty treatments, simple daily regimen works better than anything. I hope these informations will help you. If you have further queries I will be glad to help. "Wish you good health" Regards, Dr Sanjay Kumar Kanodia MD (Dermatology)

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Brief Answer: totally normal to have flaking around hair roots Detailed Answer: Hello young lady, I am really happy to know that your stress is relieved now. It is totally normal to have such kind flaking in everybody and there is no need to be worried about any of the issues related to simple and normal hair conditions. Eat your best and follow a good diet to get best of hair and health. I hope these informations will help you. If you have further queries I will be glad to help or if not then can close the query and rate the answer. For any future of your skin related queries you can ask me directly at: bit.ly/drsanjaykanodia "Wish you good health" Regards, Dr Sanjay Kumar Kanodia MD (Dermatology)

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