Scalp Disease

Acne Necrotica Miliaris


This is a form of scalp folliculitis, which affects the hair follicles of the scalp by causing inflammation. Some of the characteristics are small spots that can be very itchy. The spots are mainly on the scalp, especially towards the frontal area but they can spread to the face and other parts of the body. We offer acne treatments in our clinic, please contact the helpline number to speak to a consultant.

Acne Varioliformis

This is a severe type of scalp folliculitis. It is also known as Acne frontalis. At this stage the spots are bigger, inflamed, very sore and with pustules that can develop into dark or black crusts that may leave scarring behind. This affects mainly the scalp and face. This condition can be treated in our clinic. Please contact the helpline for more information.


Alopecia Areata, Totalis and Universalis

Alopecia Areata is a highly unpredictable autoimmune disease of the skin. This occurs when the immune system begins to attack the healthy or normal body tissues by way of autoreactive antibodies. Alopecia areata appears as either singular or multiple bald spots on the scalp or other parts of the body. The affected areas will present with hairs that look like exclamation marks towards the bottom. In most cases the hair will return back to normal; however in some cases the condition might progress to another stage called 'totalis' which is loss of hair from the rest of the scalp or 'universalis', which refers to loss of all hair from the body and scalp. We can help to manage this condition in our clinic after diagnosis.

Androgenic Alopecia in males

This is a common androgen-dependent trait in which there is a progressive decline in the activity and size of scalp hair follicles. Testosterone is the major circulating androgen in men; excess testosterone is converted to DHT by the enzyme 5∂-reductase and DHT acts adversely on hair follicles. This substance will affect the anagen phase (growth stage) of the hair as the follicle will begin to miniaturise, and the hair shaft itself will experience thinning. There will also be a receding hairline at the frontal-temporal region that will mimic an 'M' shape due to permanent loss of active hair follicles. The vertex and parietal hair can also be affected and the hair loss can happen as a gradual process from any time after puberty. Caucasian men are more affected and the records show 80% in their 70s and above experience androgenic alopecia. Please contact the helpline for more information.


Androgenetic Alopecia in females

Women can also be affected by DHT except that the effect is less dramatic and does not progress to complete pattern baldness. This also happens as a gradual process and there is usually a diffuse thinning on the scalp and frontal-temporal recession. Please contact our helpline for more information.


Anorexia Nervosa

This is an abnormal eating disorder that is characterised by self-starvation and very picky eating due to fear of gaining weight. The condition could be chronic. Anorexia nervosa is a psychological disorder and would need psychotherapeutic intervention but it often causes other health complications too, some of which relate to hair. This is a disease that can lead to muscle pain, abdominal pain, depression, loneliness and suicidal thoughts. In severe cases the disease can result in heart problems, infertility, premature birth, damage to the kidneys or liver, edema and loss of memory. The anagen phase (growth stage) of hair will also be affected and this can cause miniaturization or thinning of the hair and early telogen transition; this is to say anorexia sufferers can experience abnormal hair loss from the scalp. They can also develop soft downy hairs (lanugo hair) on the skin of the arms and chest. We can help to diagnose the condition and send you to the correct place for help. Please visit our clinic or call to speak to our consultant.


Bulimia Nervosa

This is a psychological disorder that causes binge eating and purging soon after. This is a compulsive disorder whereby excessive eating is followed by guilt and self-induced vomiting. Most patients suffering from bulimia are usually convinced that they are overweight and this normally causes depression, lack of confidence and low esteem. Patients affected with this condition will need counselling from a psychotherapist but some may seek help from a trichologist because they may also experience hair loss and lanugo hair formation as a result of bulimia nervosa. Please contact us for more information.


Dandruff (PSC)

This is a common condition that is characterised by flaking, scaling and shedding of the corneum layer. There can be mild itching with no inflammation. The condition is often associated with Pityrosporum Ovale, a harmless lipophilic yeast that resides on the top layer of the scalp and skin. In certain cases this could be an indication of an underlying disease. Please call our helpline for consultation.


Eczema of the scalp

This is a skin condition that is characterized by inflammation of the epidermis layer, itching, dry skin and crusting on the scalp. There are different types of eczema, which can be distinguished by the different characteristics, and aetiologies that can overlap in certain cases. Seborrhoeic eczema and atopic eczema are the most common diseases treated by family doctors, it affects 1-3% of adults and leans slightly towards males. Seborrhoeic eczema is synonymous to seborrhoeic dermatitis, a skin and scalp disorder, so as atopic eczema is also classified as atopic dermatitis. Eczema can be associated with asthma and hay fever in certain cases. In severe cases there can be symptoms of tiny oozing vesicles that will eventually become crusted with thick and itchy plaques of dead skin. In our Leeds clinic we provide light therapy, a technology that is commonly used in treating the condition. We encourage a diagnosis first before any treatment regimens begin. Please call our helpline for consultation.


Effluvium (Anagen and Telogen)

Anagen effluvium is loss of hair during the growth phase whilst telogen effluvium is hair loss that happens prematurely due to certain conditions like fever and stress among others. In normal circumstances 10% of the hair shaft is in telogen phase (exit stage) at any given time, so losing 50 to 100 strands of hair every day is normal. When it gets to be significantly more than that, you may need to see a specialist. Please contact our helpline if you notice that your hair is shedding more than usual.



Folliculitis Decalvans (Tufted Hair Folliculitis)

This is a chronic scalp disorder that inflames and damages hair follicles leading to scarring alopecia. It initially appears in a multiple of 16 to 100 tiny papules that dominate the cranium, occipital and vertex areas of the scalp but occasionally appears in other hairy regions like beards and armpits. The characteristics of this condition are redness, pinpointed follicular erythema, pustules and crusts on the hair- bearing regions. It can also be accompanied with symptoms of soreness, tenderness, burning sensations and itchy papules. In severe cases these pustules can result in mild hemorrhaging of lesions that will lead to permanent scars. Please contact our clinic for more information.



Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia

This condition affects postmenopausal women of between 40 and 80 years. This is described as the recession of hair in a symmetric band at the frontal-temporal region. The hair loss happens in a gradual manner and may come with itching as well as shiny and atrophic skin, erythema and mild hyperkeratosis. Please contact our clinic for more information.


Traction Alopecia

This is a self-inflicted condition, that occurs as a result of hairstyles that pull the hair strands from the follicles. The condition happens as a gradual process to the point of permanent hair loss. Styles like braiding, cornrows and ponytails can cause inflammation and injury to the hair follicles due to sustained mechanical force. In most cases the damaged follicles will not recover, and this will result in permanent scarring under the skin. Please contact our clinic for more information.




Trichothiodystrophy (TTD)

This is an inherited autosomal recessive disease. The name is derived from the Greek words 'tricho' for hair, 'thio' meaning sulphur and 'dystrophy', which means wasting away. TTD is caused by a genetic mutation; the genes are passed on from both parents, who carry the mutation even though they do not show the signs. The condition is more common in children than adults but can equally affect all genders and races. TTD can affect other areas of the body including the hair shaft. The characteristics of TTD on hair are brittleness, which occurs due to lack of sulphur content in the hair. The hair will appear scanty, short, fragile and will easily break. Please contact our clinic for more information.




Urticaria (Hives)

This is the chronic or acute condition of skin allergy, caused by an infection or due to an autoimmune reaction. Urticaria is characterised by erythema, a raised rash and bumps that can sometimes itch. This is a condition that affects more women than men and can often affect children. Please contact our clinic to speak to the consultant.