Can scratching your head lead to hair loss? (and how to banish that nagging itch without scratching)

Yes! scratching your head actually leads to hair loss so you should avoid doing it.

Scratching your head with your fingernails for as little as 90 minutes is enough to remove all your cuticular scale. A cuticular scale is a protective covering on every individual strand of hair. The loss of this covering leaves your hair shaft weak and damaged and hence leaves your hair susceptible to easy breakage and hair loss.

There are several ways you can deal with itchiness in your scalp that does not include scratching your head. These alternative ways will help ensure you don't suffer from any hair loss.

These include

1. Instead of scratching, pat or rub the sensitive area with the flat of your fingers.

2. Having a dry scalp can also increase itchiness. It would bee a good idea to use natural oil on your hair before you wash it if that's the reason behind your itch.

3. Sensitivity to a new product may be causing a sudden itchiness in your scalp. So, if you have switched to a new shampoo, mousse or anything else, do try abstaining from applying it for a few days to see if the itchiness subsides.

4. When your scalp feels itchy, try and distract yourself. The more you think about how itchy your scalp is, the more it will itch.

While scratching your hair does lead to hair loss, the good news is your hair will grow back because the damage is not permanent. However, it is not advisable to keep scratching your head because you'll just lose more hair.

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Related Tip: Should You Oil Hair When You Have Dandruff Problem?

Can scratching your head lead to hair loss? (And how to banish that nagging itch without scratching)

4 plastic surgery alternatives for burns and wounds

The branch of plastic surgery that is generally used for the treatment of burns and other wounds is known as reconstructive plastic surgery. There are numerous surgical methods that fall under this category, which is effectively used to treat these injuries and the related issues that they cause. 

What are medical issues caused by burns and wounds?

Some of the most frequently occurring issues that stem from burns and similar wounds are as follows:

- restriction of mobility

- aesthetic disfigurement and scarring

- loss of sensation in the affected area

The different issues are caused by varying kinds of burns and injuries and, hence, each case must be approached in a different manner for remedy.

Different kinds of plastic surgeries that are used for treatment

Depending on the nature of the injury, your plastic surgeon may opt for any of the following surgical methods for treating the problem.

1. Skin grafting

In this procedure, skin is removed from one part of the body and transplanted to the affected area. This method is used for the treatment of burns. There are two types of this surgical procedure - one removes a few layers from the dermis of the donor area (split-thickness graft) while the other removes the entire dermis (full-thickness graft). Recovery time depends on the kind of procedure used. Skin grafting is occasionally used for breast and nose reconstruction as well.

2. Microsurgery

This type of surgery makes the use of a microscope in reconstructive procedures for working on minuscule veins, arteries, and nerves for repairing damaged areas. Microsurgery is often used alongside other surgical procedures for re-attaching body parts, relieving paralysis of the face and in the reconstruction of breasts.

3. Tissue expansion

This method is used to induce the growth of extra skin on the body that can be used for reconstructive purposes. This is done by inserting a balloon expander underneath the skin that slowly gets filled with saline solution and makes the skin swell. This excess skin is then used for correction or reconstruction of the affected area.

4. Free flap procedure

This procedure involves the transfer of skin, bone, muscle and blood supply from the donor area to the damaged area for repairing purposes. Microsurgery is often performed alongside this treatment method, which is used most frequently for breast reconstruction or after the removal of cancer from the neck or head.

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Related Tip: 6 Quick and Handy Remedies To Treat Burns

4 Surgical Alternatives for Burns and Wounds

Dermatology is a very vast subject and many times it crosses the medical field to the cosmetology sector, where beautiful skin maintenance is concerned. The case of mole removal, for example, is handled by dermatologists. However, while examining the moles they first confirm that they do not, in any way, pose the risk of melanoma, a type of skin cancer. In fact, it has been reported that a dermatologist in Christchurch, New Zealand is offering free checkups during weekends for melanoma. Her plight is that she lost her brother to melanoma and many people make the mistake of ignoring moles on their skin and pay the heavy price.

A Professional Way Better than Trying at Home
For exactly the reason mentioned above, if you find moles on your skin, you should have the area examined by a dermatologist. The doctor would have the right instruments to identify and check whether they are only moles and then advise the appropriate removal. If the advice from the doctor itself indicates a simple procedure at home, then you can do this. There are over the counter products, such as peels available which can be used and then the moles can be removed. For other cases, you will need to subject yourself to a proper mole removal procedure.

Simple Methods For Surgeries
Chemical peels and burning away the extra growth using Cantharidin are some of the options available to dermatologists to remove moles from your skin. They may either have their own proprietary peels made or use the ones available in the market. Either way, the dermatologist will know how to prepare the skin before applying the remedy and also after treatment care. Skin is a very sensitive part of the body and no risk can be taken. If the mole removal has to be carried out only through a surgical procedure, the dermatologist will make that decision and do it as soon as you are ready.

Again, within the surgical method of removing moles, the doctor may use very simple procedures such as a scalpel to cut and remove the mole as well as a small amount of skin and dress it up. In the next level, the doctor may have to make a proper incision and then stitch up the area around the cut portion. Care will be taken regarding the scar on the skin.

Take Care of Your Skin
Depending on which part of the world you live in, there are steps you must take to protect your skin from getting damaged. In particular, the areas, like the face, neck, shoulders and hands which are exposed to the sun or cold winds or other vagaries that pose risks to the surface of the skin. The moment you observe signs of any abnormality in the skin, consult a good dermatologist to get healthy skin.

Mole Removal - What To Know?

Psoriasis, in general, is a persistent autoimmune condition that causes the speedy development of skin cell. This increase in the number of cells causes unhealthy scales on the surface of the skin.

Symptoms of nail psoriasis
Symptoms to watch out for are the nails cracking right from the nail bed. This, in medicinal term, is known as onycholysis and it creates space that can get contaminated by germs. Soreness or a sponge like feeling beneath the nails, pitting, warping and hardening of the nails, discoloration, painful chalk like build up beneath the cuticles which causes the nail to move upwards, are common symptoms as well. This is known as subungual hyperkeratosis. As a rule, almost everybody who is affected by general psoriasis, suffer from nail psoriasis.

Sometimes nail psoriasis may be accompanied by fungal infections. A parting amid the nail and nail bed is the perfect environment for the fungi to grow. If the symptoms you are experiencing are extremely moderate, treatment may not be required. If the discoloration, nail hardening or chipping of the nails is severe, it is probably a good time to make an appointment with a dermatologist.

Causes
A diet deficient in Calcium, Vitamin C or B12 can lead to this condition. Unhygienic habits can aggravate the condition. Psoriasis, in most cases, is acquired genetically. A weak immune system can also be a marker. Certain steps can be taken to keep the nails healthy. Keeping the nails clipped short and clean helps. Wearing gloves while working in the kitchen, during gardening or washing is another preventive measure you can always take.

Treatment
It may be hard to treat nail psoriasis; while topical medicines are prescribed, they usually don t work that well. Oral D3 supplements can be taken. D3 ointments, light or photo therapy and finally corticosteroid injections directly aimed to the nail bed may ease the situation. In very severe cases, nails may need to be removed with the help of surgery, so as to help new nails to grow back. Patience is the key word.

Nail Psoriasis - How To Know If You Are Suffering From It?

Liposuction is a type cosmetic surgery that refers to the removal of excess fats from the body through suction.During liposuction, small, thin, blunt-tipped tubes (cannula) are inserted through tiny cuts in the skin.

Liposuction is used to remove fat deposits from:

Thighs.

Hips and buttocks.

Abdomen and waist.

Upper arms.

Back.

Inner knee.

Chest area.

Cheeks, chin and neck.

Calves and ankles.

Different techniques are adopted in liposuction process. Some of them are:

Traditional Liposuction: In traditional liposuction, the surgeon uses a thin tube called a cannula, connected to a powerful suction pump.

Tumescent Liposuction: Tumescent liposuction is similar to traditional liposuction, but experts often hail its innovative use of medication and reduced risks for complications.

Super-wet Liposuction: Super-wet liposuction is a variation of the tumescent technique that uses less fluid injection.

Ultrasonic Liposuction: This popular form of liposuction uses a specialized cannula that emits ultrasonic sound waves into the fat deposits to liquefy fat cells and make them easier to remove.

Power Assisted Liposuction: By employing a cannula that has a vibrating tip, surgeons are able to break up fat cells for easier removal.

More and more people are turning to liposuction to help achieve their aesthetic goals. Patients benefit both mentally and physically from liposuction. In fact, liposuction has become one of the most popular plastic surgery procedures in the world because it is a safe and effective way to remove fat and cellulite in your body. To add to it s effectiveness, liposuction can be paired with a myriad of complementary procedures such as breast augmentation, tummy tuck, and even facial plastic surgery.

The benefits of liposuction include:

Safe removal of fat

Reduction of cellulite or improvement in the appearance of cellulite

Improved health, usually associated with fat loss

Changes the way you look, and the way others perceive you

Boost in self-esteem

Sculpting areas of body that even exercise and diet don t seem to impact

Liposuction Surgery

A skin tag is a diminutive, harmless, extension of skin that is usually attached from beneath the skin by a tiny support stalk. These skin tags are seen in places which are exposed to frequent friction with clothes or areas that have more skin to skin friction. They hang out from the skin surface. They commonly occur in the neck, underarms, groin, and upper chest. Medically a skin tag is termed as an acrochordon. Often skin tags are also identified as soft warts, fibroma pendulum, pedunculated fibroma, or soft fibromas. 

Reasons why they happen
Skin tags comprise of blood vessels surrounded by skin and loose fibers of collagen. Collagen is a kind of protein located all through the body. Anybody can develop a skin tag irrespective of gender and age, but elder people are prone to skin tags especially those who have type 2 diabetes. 
Skin tags tend to evolve in the layers of the skin folds, where the skin rubs against itself as mentioned earlier, but it is also observed that few individuals get skin tags without any such reason. This is also a reason why skin tags occur more in overweight people as they have more skin folds that are susceptible to chafing. 

Why should you get them removed? 
Most skin tags don't need treatment as they are harmless, but at times people do tend to discard them for cosmetic purpose or may be out of discomfort when they rub against skin or clothing. Checking with your physician in case you doubt the shape of the skin tag and suspect a cancerous element. In such scenario, you will be recommended biopsy for further proceedings if any. 

How is a skin tag removed?
A skin tag is removed through few procedures. Your doctor can consider any of the procedures mentioned below: 

 Cryotherapy: Cryotherapy requires chilling the skin tag with nitrogen fluid. Your physician may spray or swab a little amount of liquid nitrogen onto the skin tag. After the treatment, you may have a small blister which will heal by itself. 
Surgical removal: In the case of surgical removal, the skin tag is cut with a scalpel or scissors. The cut might sometimes be deeper in which case the cut will require stitches. Surgical removal has the advantage of obliterating the skin tag, but there is a risk of minor bleeding. Removal of skin tags doesn't require a full anesthesia. Local anesthesia is sufficient. 
Electro Surgery: Electro Surgery is another remedy where the skin tag is burned with electrical energy in high-frequency. The heat is applied through the narrow stem that holds the skin tag to the skin. 
Ligation: Ligation is yet another method where a surgical thread is tied up to remove the tag. 
There are also natural remedies, such as using lotions or essential oils over a period or also over the counter medicines but then a doctor s advice is always essential to prevent the scope of any scarring, to bleed or other such side effects.

Skin Tags - Get Rid Of Unwanted Extensions

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