What should you know about greasy scalp and hair loss?

Seborrheic dermatitis presents with greasy scale, redness, or itch and can make the scalp feel coated. Dandruff presents with flaking that may be more visible in oily hair. These conditions do not explain every type of hair loss. Hair may shed diffusely after illness or stress, or thin gradually in a pattern. Breakage from tension, heat, or chemical processing looks different from hairs released at the root. The pattern, scalp appearance, and timing help a clinician sort these possibilities.

Clean the scalp with a gentle shampoo suited to your hair and rinse away all residue. Keep heavy oils, waxes, and conditioner off the scalp if they worsen coating. Avoid tight hairstyles, scratching, repeated bleaching, and high heat while the scalp is irritated. If there is scale or itch, ask a pharmacist or clinician whether medicated shampoo is suitable and follow its directions. Keep a simple record of shedding, patches, itch, and recent illness or medication changes.

Make an appointment for ongoing loss, a widening part, receding areas, or a patch that does not fill in. Seek prompt assessment for pain, pus, crusting, fever, broken hairs, tender swelling, or rapidly spreading loss. Scalp examination can identify inflammation or infection and guide treatment before more irritation or breakage occurs.

Is the loss shedding, breakage, or a defined patch? What does the scalp scale suggest? Could a product, infection, inflammation, medication, or recent illness be involved? Which shampoo and follow-up plan fit my scalp?