Clogged hair follicles are a common problem that can lead to hair loss or reduce its density, which requires taking care of the health of the scalp and hair. In this article, we will review the causes of clogged hair follicles and ways to prevent them through the Dalili Medical website, in addition to the best treatments and solutions available for this problem. Whether you suffer from clogged hair follicles or are looking for ways to prevent them, here you will find valuable information and useful tips to maintain the health of the scalp and hair.

### What is clogged scalp pores?

The problem of clogged scalp pores appears after a long period of neglect and lack of hair care. Clogged pores are considered one of the major issues that weaken hair follicles and hinder their natural growth, so it is necessary to learn about ways to treat this problem using natural mixtures and medical treatments to avoid negative consequences.

### Causes of blocked hair follicles and ways to treat them

1. **Accumulation of fat and dirt**: Fat and dirt may accumulate on the scalp and in the openings of hair follicles, which hinders hair growth and causes follicle blockage.
2. **Dandruff**: Dandruff can lead to blocked hair follicles and prevent hair from growing properly.
3. **Stress and tension**: Stress and tension can reduce blood flow to the scalp, which negatively affects the nutrition of hair follicles.
4. **Hormonal changes**: Hormonal changes in the body affect hair growth and may lead to blocked hair follicles.
5. **Pollution**: Constant exposure to pollution can contribute to blocked hair follicles.

### Symptoms of blocked scalp pores

 explained that blocked scalp pores may not be visible to the naked eye, but it affects the health of the hair in general. The most prominent symptoms are:

- Constant itching of the scalp.
- Excessive hair loss.
- Split ends and dryness without a clear cause.
- Pale hair color despite home care.
- Splitting and weakness of hair follicles in general.

**Diseases that may affect hair follicles**

**Alopecia:**
It appears in the form of circular bald spots on the scalp, and the cause behind it is unknown. This condition is often temporary, and upon recovery, hair grows back normally.

**Male pattern:**
It is considered the most common among men, as it usually leads to a receding hairline or hair loss in the crown area or both.

**Female pattern:**
In women, it is characterized by uniform hair loss throughout the scalp while the hairline remains. The crown area may be affected, but hair loss rarely turns into baldness as it does in men.

**Dandruff (seborrheic dermatitis):**
It is a mild, persistent inflammation of the scalp, resulting in flakes that may cause itching or flaking, and can also affect the ears and face.

**Ringworm of the scalp:**

A fungal infection of the scalp that causes circular patches of hair loss.

**Trichotillomania:**
A psychological disorder characterized by an irresistible urge to pull and cut hair, leading to significant hair loss; the cause is unknown.

**Head lice:**
Small insects that live on the scalp and feed on blood. School-age children are most susceptible to head lice, which are spread by infection.

**Telogen effluvium:**
A month or two after a person experiences a trauma (such as surgery, childbirth, or severe stress), sudden hair loss may occur, and new hair usually begins to grow immediately.

**Perinatal hair loss:**
This is a type of tubulotoxicosis, and usually resolves without treatment.

**Folliculitis:**
Usually caused by a bacterial infection from Staphylococcus aureus, which causes recurrent inflammation of the hair follicles.

**Trichomycosis nodularis (Piedra):**

A fungal infection of the hair shaft, where hard knots form that cling to the hair fibers, which can sometimes lead to hair loss.

**Hirsutism:**

A condition that affects women, where they gain excess hair (such as facial hair), and is usually caused by an abnormal increase in the secretion of the male hormone (testosterone).

**Treatment of blocked hair follicles using natural methods**

Simple and effective natural methods for treating blocked hair follicles include the following:

1. **Daily hair combing**
Regular combing helps to untangle the hair, which reduces the blockage of the scalp pores. It is recommended to continue this habit until the problem is resolved without exposure to unwanted complications. It is preferable to use a brush with rough bristles to facilitate combing, and one should start from the ends to the roots. For those with coarse hair, it is preferable to use drops of lukewarm water to facilitate combing and avoid frizz.

2. **Good Scalp Ventilation**
Good ventilation of the scalp is one of the most important treatment methods, as covering the head continuously can lead to friction and irritation. When wearing the hijab, it should be avoided to tighten it excessively to avoid pressure on the scalp, which may affect blood flow to it. It is preferable to use good fabrics that do not trap sweat, as excessive sweating may contribute to clogged pores.

3. **Follow a healthy diet**
A balanced diet contributes to treating clogged hair follicles. Here are some nutritional tips:
- Eat foods rich in healthy fats such as omega-3 acids found in fish, nuts and vegetable oils.
- Avoid excessive consumption of dairy products, as they increase insulin levels.
- Reduce sugar consumption, which helps reduce insulin levels.
- Stay away from foods containing yeast such as bread and pizza, as well as foods made from wheat.
- Avoid unhealthy and processed fats.

4. **Choosing the right shampoo**
Choosing the right shampoo and conditioner helps treat clogged hair follicles. You must know your hair type to choose the right products. When purchasingAny product, it is recommended to read the ingredients:
- For oily hair: Shampoo containing sulfosuccinate or lauryl sulfate is preferred.
- For dry hair: Shampoo containing silicone and aloe vera is preferred.
- For normal hair: Shampoo rich in laureth sulfate is preferred.
- For those with sensitive skin: It is preferable to choose products free of formaldehyde and parabens.

5. **Wash hair regularly**
It is recommended to wash normal or oily hair once or twice a day, while dry hair needs to be washed once every 3 or 4 days. The following tips should be followed:
- Rinse hair well before applying shampoo using lukewarm water.
- Mix shampoo with a little water to facilitate its distribution.
- Focus on massaging the scalp, while dealing gently to avoid hair breakage.
- Apply conditioner to the ends only, as the scalp does not need extra moisture.

1. **Apple cider vinegar**
Apple cider vinegar has antibacterial and antifungal properties, which helps get rid of microbes that cause hair follicle blockage. It can be used by adding two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar to a cup of water and using it as a hair rinse.

2. **Lemongrass Oil**
Lemongrass oil contains active compounds that help reduce clogged hair follicles. Studies have shown that using it twice a day can significantly reduce hair loss.

3. **Baking Soda**
Baking soda can help get rid of clogged hair follicles. It is recommended to add a tablespoon of it to a bottle of shampoo and use it as usual to clean the hair and scalp.

**4. Brown Sugar and Oatmeal**
Exfoliation helps remove dead skin cells and dirt accumulated on the surface of the hair, but it is important not to overdo this process to avoid the pores secreting more oils to compensate for the lost fats.

You can mix about two tablespoons of hair conditioner with two tablespoons of brown sugar and two tablespoons of ground oatmeal, then gently massage the area with the mixture for a few minutes before washing it.

**5. Alcohol**
Alcohol is an effective disinfectant that removes impurities and dirt from clogged pores, and can be applied directly to the affected area using a cotton ball.

**6. Zinc**
Zinc helps reduce swelling resulting from clogged hair follicles. A cream can be prepared by mixing a teaspoon of zinc oxide powder with a tablespoon of beeswax and half a cup of coconut oil, then applying it to the affected areas.

**Antiseptic cleansers**
The doctor may recommend using disinfectants and antibacterials to relieve the symptoms associated with the condition, and these treatments usually include benzoyl peroxide (5%) and chlorhexidine (4%).

**Treatment of clogged follicles with medical methods**

Medical treatments for clogged hair follicles include the following:
- **Antibiotics**: such as tetracycline, erythromycin, doxycycline, and minocycline, as they work to reduce infection and inflammation by eliminating the bacteria that cause it.
- **Steroids**: Help reduce the appearance of infection and relieve itching, such as oral steroids and corticosteroid injections.
- **Topical creams**: Such as resorcinol cream, which helps remove dead skin and relieve annoying symptoms.
- **Antifungal shampoo**: As antibiotics only kill bacteria, while most infections that affect the follicles are caused by yeast, the doctor may prescribe this shampoo as an appropriate treatment.
- **Antibacterial and antiseptic treatments**: Such as benzoyl peroxide and chlorhexidine.
- **Surgery**: This is an option in severe cases, where the doctor makes an incision in the blocked follicles to drain the pus and speed up healing.
- **Laser**: It is used if the problem is in the body, where the doctor removes the hair by destroying the follicles.

It is important that the appropriate treatment for each patient is determined by the specialist doctor based on the condition of the blockage and the accompanying symptoms.

**Tips for a quick recovery from clogged hair follicles**

There are a set of guidelines that should be taken into account when using the appropriate treatment to ensure its effectiveness, as follows:

1. **Getting rid of excess weight**: It is important to work on losing excess weight, as excessive obesity may exacerbate the problem of clogged hair follicles and worsen symptoms.

2. **Exercising regularly**: It is necessary to adhere to exercising properly, focusing on simple exercises such as yoga and swimming. It is preferable to exercise in air-conditioned places, as heat and humidity may increase the clogging of hair follicles and lead to the formation of pus.

3. **Quit smoking and alcohol**: It is recommended to stop smoking and avoid drinking alcohol.

**Foods that contribute to preventing clogged hair follicles:**

1. **Fatty fish**: such as salmon and tuna, rich in essential fatty acids.
2. **Foods rich in vitamin D**: such as milk, cheese and fortified cereals.
3. **Foods rich in vitamin C**: such as oranges, lemons, strawberries, and hot peppers.

4. **Green leafy vegetables**: such as spinach, cabbage, and lettuce, which contain many nutrients necessary for healthy hair.

**Factors to avoid to prevent clogged hair follicles:**

1. **Smoking**: reduces blood flow to the scalp, which negatively affects hair nutrition and causes clogged hair follicles.

2. **Stress and anxiety**: can lead to increased production of stress hormones, which affects hair growth and causes clogged hair follicles.

3. **Nutrient deficiency**: An unbalanced diet can lead to weak hair and clogged hair follicles.

4. **Using harmful chemical products**: such as dyes and harsh shampoos, which can cause scalp irritation and clogged hair follicles.

5. **Lack of scalp care**: Neglecting scalp care can lead to the accumulation ofFats and impurities, which cause clogged hair follicles.
6. **Excessive exposure to sunlight**: Can lead to dry scalp and hair, causing hair damage and clogged hair follicles.
7. **Excessive use of heat**: Such as hair dryers and hair irons, which can cause hair damage and clogged hair follicles.
8. **Genetic factors**: Genetic factors may be a major cause of clogged hair follicles in some cases, which may require special medical treatment.