Can your hair tell you about your health? May be. Several conditions and medications can affect health of body and hair. Other times, you may just need to take better care of your hair or scalp. Here are some tips to follow when it comes to your health and your hair.

1. White dandruff is not harmful to health

Dandruff is not contagious. So how did you get it? Doctors aren't sure yet, but there is a theory that it could be due to an overgrowth of fungus. Other possible risk factors include oily skin, stress, obesity, cold and dry weather, eczema or psoriasis. While it's embarrassing - and itching can be annoying - dandruff isn't harmful.

Tips for treating dandruff

To reduce buildup of dead skin cells from dandruff, use an anti-dandruff shampoo daily. Shampoo for 5 minutes and rinse. You may need to try several dandruff shampoos to find one that works best for you. If one shampoo doesn't work, try another shampoo.

2. Yellow dandruff?

If dandruff you see is greasy and yellow, you may have seborrheic dermatitis. This is an inflammatory skin condition that can occur in areas with a lot of sebaceous glands, such as scalp and face. While seborrheic dermatitis has been linked to hormones, fungi, and even some neurological conditions such as Parkinson's disease or AIDS, all of these conditions are treated same way dandruff is treated: with dandruff shampoo.

3. Every day you lose more hair than you think, but don't be nervous

This is not ideal, but some experts estimate that we can lose 100 or more hairs a day. There is nothing to panic about, and this does not mean that you will go bald. Of your 100,000 hair follicles, about 90 percent are producing hair at any given time. The remaining 10% are in telogen phase and hair falls out after about 2-3 months. It is replaced by new hair and growth cycle begins again.

4. What are causes of thinning hair or even baldness?

Shocks to hair system—surgeries, vaccinations, childbirth, certain medications, emergency diets, extreme stress, thyroid problems—can send hair into a dormant or lag phase. After about two months, you may see hair loss and thinning, sometimes described as "massive hair loss". In most cases, new hair grows immediately.

5. Attack on hair follicles

In people with baldness/bald spots, immune system mistakenly attacks hair follicles, causing hair to fall out—often suddenly. Most people will have one or two bald patches that are easily treated with injections, but in some cases, hair falls out all over body. Alopecia areata is not dangerous or contagious, but it can be psychologically challenging. Hair can grow back on its own, and treatment can help it grow back faster. Unfortunately, some people may experience alopecia areata repeatedly.

6. 90% of male hair loss is due to genes

Although this trait is inherited, it may be more influenced by your mother's family than your father's. So look at your maternal grandfather's hair and you can better understand your future. Male pattern baldness usually begins at hairline at temples and then at crown, leaving a horseshoe-shaped ring of hair on sides of head. Medications that slow down hair loss include finasteride (Prospea) and minoxidil (Rogaine).

7. Female pattern baldness

Age-related thinning can mean thinning hair on scalp, but hair loss most commonly occurs on crown of head. Unlike men, women rarely go bald and lose their baldness more slowly than men. Contrary to popular belief, growing hair without stressing the roots can lead to more hair loss. Shampoo does not pull out hair, but only those that have already fallen out. Using Minoxidil 5% once a day can help hair growth and prevent thinning hair. Spironolactone and flutamide (oral drugs) are also available for women.

8. Avoid sun exposure to hair

Too much sun can make your hair brittle, dry and prone to breakage. Especially for those with blonde or gray hair. If your hair is already thinning, your scalp is at risk of sunburn. Choosing a hair care product with sunscreen can provide some protection, although it can be difficult to apply evenly to hair. That is why it is recommended to wear a hat in sun, especially if scalp is exposed. Choose a hat made from sunscreen fabric with UPF 30 (ultraviolet protection factor).

9. Nutrition theory

Does overeating lead to hair loss? As a last resort, maybe. Your hair needs protein and iron to stay healthy, along with omega-3 fatty acids, zinc and vitamin A, but not too much, which can contribute to hair loss. Very low-calorie diets are often low in nutrients and can slow hair growth or make it look dull and limp. If nutrient deficiency is severe enough, such as in a person with an eating disorder, hair falls out.

10. Diet for healthy hair and heart

Help maintain lustrous hair with omega-3 fatty acids in salmon and walnuts, spinach and carrots for vitamin A, brazil nuts for selenium, and oysters and cashews for zinc. All of these help keep scalp and hair healthy, as do low-fat dairy products, whole grains, and vegetables. Double results: Foods that are good for your hair are also good for your heart.

11. Premature gray hair is inherited

Graying/whitening hair is not always associated with aging. If you are under 40 and have a lot of gray hair, this is probably your family. Gray is not usually a sign of poor health, although anemia, thyroid disease, vitamin B12 deficiency, and vitiligo can lead to premature aging. You can highlight or dye your hair to cover gray, but be careful: some people are sensitive to chemicals in dye. The result can be an itchy scalp.

12. Excessive "pulling and stretching" leads to hair loss

Styling your hair too tight (for example, in ponytails, braids, and pigtails) can damage hair follicles, leading to hair breakage or hair loss. Hair extensions and wigs can also sometimes cause traction alopecia because their extra weight pulls on existing hair. Changing your hairstyle can often cause your hair to grow back. However, pulling hair together for a long period of time can lead to permanent hair loss.

13. Side effects of medications

Medicines that cause hair loss as a side effect include anticoagulants, cholesterol-lowering drugs, antidepressants, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), menopausal drugs, birth control, and antibiotics. Usually, after stopping drug, hair grows back, but in some cases this may not happen.

14. Head massage

There is no evidence that head massage slows down rate of hair loss or improves it, but helps relieve stress. The scalp is covered with nerve endings that make it very sensitive to touch. Rubbing scalp can help relieve tension. Massage can also trigger the release of feel-good hormones such as dopamine and serotonin.

15. Hair analysis unreliable

Some companies claim they can analyze haircuts to determine if you have a vitamin deficiency or health problem. While hair analysis can detect toxins such as lead or arsenic, results can be inconsistent and vary. Everything from air pollution to shampoo can affect test results. Medical associations oppose hair analysis to determine treatment.