Help the development of the site, sharing the article with friends!

The scalp microflora consists of millions of microorganisms. On the forehead, around the nose, in the eyebrows, eyelashes and hair, bacteria, fungi and even viruses live. Thanks to this microflora of the scalp, we live better, but sometimes this microbiome can cause many problems. What should you know about the scalp microflora?

Microbiomeor microbiota are recently popular words that we associate mainly with the bacterial flora of the intestines, possibly the oral cavity or the genital tract.

But microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, archaea (tiny unicellular cells), eukaryotes, fungi inhabit practically our entire body (it has been shown that the baby's skin in the womb is sterile and its colonization begins only after birth) whether we like it or not.

Not only that - they are necessary to maintain the balance and proper functioning of the macro-organism we are, including the preservation of immunity.

The discovery that microbes are a physiological element of the human body was made in 1880 by the Austrian pediatrician Theodor Escherich. He observed a positive effect of Escherichia coli on the intestinal microflora of he althy children and those suffering from diarrhea.

In the following years, a number of microorganisms were isolated from humans, including in 1898 the bacteria Veilonella parvula, and in 1900 - Bifidobacterium spp. and others - found on the skin, in the gastrointestinal tract and the genitourinary system.

The term "microbiome" was first used by Nobel laureate Joshua Lederberg, who suggested that it be used to denote the collective genome of all commensal (that is, inert to us), symbiotic and pathogenic microbes in the human body

More: Probiotics - healing properties, types and sources

Microbiota - what lives on our skin?

Microorganisms also inhabit our skin. It is the largest organ in the human body that plays an important role in the immune system. It is the first line of defense against external factors, such as temperature changes, etc., as well as against the attack of pathogenic microorganisms.

The surface of the skin, which is about 1.8 m2 (depending on the size of a person), is colonized by various microorganisms - bacteria, archea,viruses, including bacteriophages and fungi. Regarding viruses, analysis of the viral DNA sequence on the skin surface revealed three dominant families: Papillomaviridae (β-, γ-HPV), Polyomaviridae and Circoviridae.

In terms of fungi, the following species were identified on he althy skin using molecular methods: Malassezia spp .: M. restrica, M. globosa, M. sympodialis, M. pachydermatis and M. furfur, with M. restrica and M. furfur are more numerous.

It is also assumed that Candida spp., Although it is a component of the mycobiomy (fungal microbiome) of human skin, very rarely colonizes our skin, unless it is the cause of infections, especially in conditions of decreased immunity or diabetes.

There are also lots of bacteria on the surface of the skin. It is worth noting, however, that in different areas that create different environments, we find slightly different "creatures", which depends on their life preferences.

For example, the face and back are characterized by a high density of sebaceous glands, which is an ideal environment for lipophilic bacteria such as Propionibacterium spp. And Malassezia spp. However, higher temperature and higher humidity of the armpits favor the development of Gram-negative bacilli or Staphylococcus aureus.

Microbiota (microflora) of the scalp

What is happening on the scalp? It is a unique place, equipped with a large number of sebaceous glands and characterized by a rapid production of sebum. It is also a bustling microbial ecosystem, in other words home to hundreds of millions of bacteria, fungi and viruses.

The hairy scalp is home to over a million commensal microorganisms for every square centimeter (for comparison, the skin of the hands is around 100,000 / cm2). Bacteria of the Propionibacterinae subfamily and various species of Staphyloccocus spp. One, and many other microorganisms, play a key role in protecting the skin against external infectious agents or toxic substances in the area of ​​the nose, ears and hair.

Microbiota (microflora) of the scalp - different for everyone

As mentioned, the composition of the skin microflora varies depending on the area in which it is found, but also on many other factors. Human age and gender are also important (the influence of hormones). The microbiota is also influenced by environmental factors:

  • profession - we may have contact with specific chemical substances
  • clothing - natural, synthetic
  • drugs that we use - e.g. antibiotics cause huge changes in the bacterial microflora
  • cosmetics, hygiene products
  • hormonal disorders
  • wronga diet, e.g. high in sugar, which feeds mushrooms

Microbiota (microflora) of the scalp - when there are too many microorganisms

Our body, as a macroorganism composed of many microorganisms, must be in balance to function efficiently. However, if any group of bacteria, fungi or viruses grows, it will soon be a problem for us. Example?

Disrupted microbiota - dandruff

Recently, scientists at Shanghai Jiao Tong University in China discovered that two strains of bacteria - Propionibacterium and Staphylococcus - are responsible for dandruff. Namely, if Propionibacterium bacteria are dominant on the head - the skin is he althy. If they are Staphylococcus bacteria - we have dandruff.

Researchers concluded that the fight against dandruff should focus on maintaining the balance between the two groups of bacteria. How to do it? The presence of "good" bacteria is favored by proper hydration of the scalp and an appropriate level of sebum, which they feed on.

So if we wash our hair too often and neglect nutrition, the skin becomes dry, which promotes the multiplication of bacteria from the second group, and thus the occurrence of dandruff.

Previously, it was believed that fungi - such as Pityrosporum ovale yeast, which lives on the human head and feeds on sebum (therefore it is especially active on the scalp prone to oily) - are responsible for dandruff, especially oily dandruff.

Also when it comes to Malassezia furfur and Malassezia restricta, if they gain an advantage over the bacteria, they will cause dandruff. But, as it turns out - not only. The bacteria themselves can also contribute to the formation of dandruff. Pharmacy shampoos containing ketoconazole, selenium sulphate or zinc pyronate are recommended to fight dandruff.

Disturbed microbiota - clumps

The scalp may suffer not only from dandruff. It can itch, sting, and when the continuity of the epidermis is broken, e.g. as a result of scratching, wounds and infections appear - due to the introduction of bacteria, fungi and other pathogens present on the scalp.

Here again, pharmaceutical products or preparations prescribed by a doctor will come to our aid. The scalp can become infected with parasites such as lice.

Disrupted microbiota - pruritus

Sometimes the scalp shows characteristic lumps, small spots, balls. They are formed when bacteria and yeasts multiply in the hair follicles, and if they are ineffective or too rarely removed, they cause inflammation of the hair follicles. How to treat them?

Systematic hygiene is essential (but notexcessive!), scalp scrubs can also help. WARNING! Cosmetics should have the most natural composition possible. We should also remember that all preservatives destroy the microflora.

Disrupted microbiota - demodicosis

Excessive growth of the Demodex folliculorum mite can lead to the development of demodicosis, a disease characterized by itchy lumps and pustules, and, if it occurs around the eyelashes, eyelash loss and dry eyes.

Disrupted microbiota - acne

Propionibacterium acnes bacteria naturally live in human sebaceous glands and are not dangerous. Under certain conditions, however, they can lead to the development of acne vulgaris. This happens, for example, when the suction tube becomes clogged and the bacteria begin to colonize it intensively, which leads to an inflammatory reaction.

Treatment is based on the topical application of ointments, powders, suspensions or, when the problem is more serious, anti-seborrheic, antibacterial, keratolytic and anti-inflammatory drugs. For cleansing the skin, various cleansing solutions and gels as well as spirit solutions with the addition of 1% thymol or menthol, 2-3% salicylic acid are used.

About the authorMarta Uler A journalist specializing in he alth, beauty and psychology. She is also a diet therapist by education. Her interests are medicine, herbal medicine, yoga, vegetarian cuisine and cats. I am a mother of two boys - a 10-year-old and a 6-month-old.

Read more articles by this author

Help the development of the site, sharing the article with friends!

Category:

Dermatology