Health information policy
How we write about scalp conditions and hair loss — and what this site can and can’t do for you.
Not medical advice. Our guides are general information for adults. They cannot diagnose you or tell you which treatment is right for you. If you’re worried, ask a pharmacist or see a GP. In an emergency call 999; for urgent advice call NHS 111 or use 111 online.
Our sources
Health content is based on the NHS website, patient information leaflets from the British Association of Dermatologists (BAD) and NICE Clinical Knowledge Summaries (CKS), with NHS inform (Scotland) as a supplement. Where we mention medicines, we follow those sources and the official patient information leaflet. Each guide lists the exact pages we used and the date we last reviewed it.
Where official sources are thin — for example, everyday questions such as how often to wash or whether silk pillowcases help — we say so, cite published research where it exists, and avoid firm claims.
When to get help
Health guides include a “When to see a pharmacist or GP” box. As a general rule, speak to a pharmacist or GP if:
- self-care and pharmacy treatments haven’t helped after a few weeks, or the problem keeps coming back;
- your scalp is very itchy, painful, swollen, bleeding, weeping or crusting, or there are patches of redness or scale that are spreading;
- you are losing hair suddenly, in patches, or in large amounts, or hair loss is affecting how you feel;
- a child has scaly patches with hair loss, or you are pregnant or breastfeeding and want to use a medicated product.
Call 999 or go to A&E if you have signs of a severe allergic reaction (for example swelling of the face, lips or throat or difficulty breathing) — this can happen after hair dye.
Products and medicines
Some products we describe are medicines (for example ketoconazole, coal tar and minoxidil products). We mark these clearly. Always read the leaflet and ask a pharmacist if they are suitable for you, especially for children, during pregnancy or breastfeeding, or if you use other treatments.
Corrections
If you think something is out of date or inaccurate, please contact us. We check reported issues against the sources and update the “reviewed on” date when we do.