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Disease Hair

Hairs spring from the skin, each having a root and a stem or shaft which is generally rounded and varies in thickness. The chief part of the stem is of a fibrous character, the fibred being composed of soft cells with air spaces between them. The colour of the hair is due to the pigment scattered in varying amount through out the hair, while a white hair is produced by the formation of very numerous airspaces throughout the cells composing it. The root of the hair is set upon a fibrous papilla, from which it derives its nutriment. The root is deep and the growing part of the hair pushes the older part out through the cuticle. The average rate of growth of hair is about 6 inches in a year, though in some persons when the hair reaches a certain length, it ceases to grow and is gradually pushed upwards till it falls out, to be replaced by a new hair which develops from a fresh papilla. Attached to the underside of each follicle (the tube which contains the part of the hair embedded in the skin) is a small muscle. It is these muscles which produce ‘goose-flesh’ when the follicles of the hair. It is the over active sebaceous glands which produce what fashion-conscious women call greasy hair. The secretion of the sebaceous glands reaches the surface by the hair follicle and serves to lubricate the hair and give pliability to the surface of the skin.

Blood, while it circulates through the skin provides nutriment to the hair and if due to some defect the nutriment does not reach them they start falling. No application of any oil or pomade or cream can provide the natural nutriment to the hair as is claimed by advertisements of hair restorers. Only a vigorous massage of the gead can activate the circulation of the blood in the skin and revitalize its function of providing the necessary nutriment to sustain the hair. Oil is merely a vehicle for massage; it has no other function. If massage is not neglected during childhood, a person is likely to have a full thatch throughout his life.

The skin that covers the scalp has to be healthy and the follicles and the sebaceous glands should function properly. If these conditions are not present baldness results. The skin of the scalp must be thick and loose for a rich growth of hair.

Certain serious diseases are associated with partial loss of hair as one of their symptoms. They are: acute fevers, myxoedema (degenerative conditions of the subcutaneous and connective tissues due to a defect in the thyroid gland), syphilis, influenza, anemia and great anxiety or severe shock. Gradual premature baldness is generally hereditary. Sometimes it is preceded by dandruff which, in its turn, is caused by decomposition of the natural oil in the hair. Each day in the process of combing, a certain number of hairs which have reached the end of their existence, fall out and are replaced. But if the change is too rapid, baldness results ultimately.

I some cases, if the hair fall out as a result of any particular disease, they are likely to be replaced when the patient gets fid of the disease. The hair may, in that sense, be called a barometer of disease. The moment the falling of the hair is noticed, one should take to vigorous massage of the scalp, because if the hair fall and a fine down appear on the scalp, total baldness is not far away.

The hat band or the cap should never be tight because it is likely to interfere with the circulation of the in the scalp. Intellectual over work is not the only reason of baldness since manual laborers are also seen falling prey to total baldness.

After the scalp has been thoroughly and vigorously massaged, rinse the hair with cold water and then comb your hair. A cold douche of the hair is always helpful if done regularly. The best way to do it is to immerse your head in a flat-bottomed vessel for a minute. The hair should be combed with the fingers and dried through massage.

Patchy baldness, or alopecia areata, is common on the scalp, but may affect the hair all over the body. It occurs mainly among adolescents and is not caused by any organism or bacteria as is caused by the disturbance of the sympathetic nervous system. The real cause, however, is the disturbance caused in the veins carrying blood to the skin. The why the affected skin turns pale and rough. The only remedy is a vigorous massage of the affected part. No applications of any oils or creams have had any marked effect once the disease strikes.

Water is not harmful for the hair as is commonly supposed: if that were so, sailors and fishermen would never have any beards. The best way to take care of your hair is to wet them thoroughly with water and then to vigorously rub the scalp. If the ends of the hair split, it is an indication of internal disease and care must be taken of the diet.

Hair turn white with age but there are examples in history where sudden shock has produced the effect. The colour of the hair should not concern one of their health's. Darkening agents should be avoided as they contain substances harmful for the skin. In cases of premature graying, open air, exercise, massage of the scalp, dietary regimen particularly ingestion of raw vegetables is recommended.

A morbid condition of the scalp is the emergence of dandruff which is caused by the excessive secretion of the sebaceous glands. The secretion mixed with dirt forms scales or a distinct encrustation. It can interfere with the nutriment reaching the hair and also to baldness. Dandruff is infectious and personal articles like comb, towel etc, of the patient should not be used by others. The hair of the patient should be cut short and the scalp kept clean. The hair should be washed with whey, gram flour and myrobalan soaked in water.

External applications are not of much use in diseases of the hair. The best course is to look after your health the naturopathic way.

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