Hair, Scalp and Nail Condition Services

Hair loss is a normal part of the aging process for both men and women. For both sexes, hair on the scalp tends to thin out as we age, but the pattern of hair loss is different in men and women. In men, hair loss is typically characterized by recession of the hairline, though they may retain more hair on the top of their head.

Female pattern hair loss usually involves the overall thinning of hair over the middle of the scalp and doesn’t typically affect hair at the front of the head. Although age is one of the leading causes of hair loss in men and women, it may also be caused by:

• Certain medications (such as those used in cancer treatment)
• Stress
• Childbirth, illness, or other bodily stressors
• Excess pressure on the hair root (e.g., wearing your hair in a tight ponytail)
• Hormonal imbalances
• Scalp infections
• Scalp psoriasis
• Nutrient deficiencies
• Alopecia
• Poor hair-care routine
• Thyroid disease

If you have noticed that your hair seems thinner than usual and you don’t think it’s age-related, make an appointment with either Dr Alison Duncan, Adult & Paediatric Dermatologist or Dr David Altamura, Dermatologist with interest in Skin Cancer, here in Cayman. They will be able to accurately assess all possible causes of your hair loss and offer any treatment available that may help your condition.

Alopecia areata is a condition that causes the hair to fall out in patches, which can cause bald spots to appear on the scalp. It is a common immune condition that typically affects people before the age of 30, and there is currently no cure for the condition.

For some people with alopecia areata, the condition can lead to complete loss of hair from the scalp     (alopecia totalis). In extreme cases, hair can be lost from the whole body (alopecia universalis).

Although there is no known cure for alopecia areata, there are treatments available that may help to encourage re-growth of hair. Alopecia is not considered a dangerous condition, but the psychological impact of dealing with the disorder can be significant. If you want expert advice about the management and treatment of alopecia areata, book an appointment with one of our dermatologists to discuss your symptoms with either Dr Alison Duncan, Adult & Paediatric Dermatologist or Dr Davide Altamura, Consultant Dermatologist, in Grand Cayman.

Seborrheic dermatitis (AKA dandruff) is a common skin condition that usually affects the scalp.  The usual symptoms are itchy red patches, greasy scales on the skin of the scalp, and yellow or white powdery flakes of skin. These flakes may drift down from your scalp to settle on your shoulders, or leave a fine ‘dust’ in your hair. Seborrheic dermatitis may also affect other parts of the body, such as the eyebrows, ears, chest, sides of the nose, and eyelids.

Fortunately, seborrheic dermatitis is a highly treatable condition, and may even clear up by itself. However, some people have a stubborn case that refuses to go away, even after using traditional treatments for dandruff.

If you have recurrent problems with seborrheic dermatitis, the best course of action is to book an appointment with one of our dermatologists here in Cayman. They will be able to expertly assess your condition and recommend the best possible course of treatment for your personal case. Both Dr Alison Duncan, Adult & Paediatric Dermatologist, and Dr Davide Altamura, Dermatologist and Dermatosurgeon, are highly experienced in the identification and treatment of skin conditions affecting the scalp, and can expertly assist you with skincare management.

Fungal nail infections happen when a certain type of fungus begins to grow in the fingernails or toenails. Fungi can infect any part of the body, and common examples of fungal infections include athlete’s foot, jock itch, and ringworm. Fungal nail problems are usually caused by an infection called tinea unguium (AKA onychomycosis).

Fungal nail infections usually become nails to become:

• Yellowed or brownish
• Thickened
• Brittle or crumbly
• Ragged
• Distorted in shape
• Slightly smelly

Fungal nail infections usually require medical treatment to get rid of. If left untreated, they can lead to a variety of complications, including permanent damage to the nails.  Fortunately, fungal nail infections can usually be effectively cleared with proper treatment. There are a variety of treatments available for fungal nail infections including topical and oral medications.

Either Dr Alison Duncan, Adult & Paediatric Dermatologist or Dr David Altamura, Consultant Dermatologist in Grand Cayman, will give you an accurate assessment of your condition, and the most appropriate treatment for your needs.

Razor bumps are those little red lumps that pop up the day after a good shave, turning silky smooth skin into an itchy, irritated mess. Razor bumps happen when hairs get stuck inside hair follicles, and are usually caused by shaving. Razor bumps may also be caused by plucking, waxing, and depilation, and are most likely to show up in the:

• Groin
• Underarms
• Legs
• Face (especially around the chin, neck, and lower cheeks)

Razor bumps are annoying, and they can also be painful and itchy, However, they are not usually a cause for concern and will usually clear up by themselves within a few days. There are also a variety of other treatments and home remedies you can try to expedite the healing of razor bumps.

If you are especially prone to razor bumps, it may be a good idea to consult one of our dermatologists here in Grand Cayman about ways to prevent them.

Both Dr Alison Duncan, Adult & Paediatric Dermatologist, and Dr Davide Altamura, Dermatologist and Dermatosurgeon, are highly experienced in the treatment of all common skin complaints, and can expertly advise you about the best approach to your personal skincare.

The quality of your nails can tell you a lot about your overall health, and nail abnormalities may be an indication of underlying problems. A healthy nail is smooth and consistently coloured; anything else is considered abnormal, and could be caused by a variety of infections, injuries, or even skin conditions (such as psoriasis).

Common signs of nail abnormalities that may require medical attention include:

• Curling or clubbing of the nails
• Thinning or thickening of the nails
• Pits in the nails
• Discoloration of the nails
• Brittle or flaky nails
• Redness, swelling, or pain around the nails
• Bleeding around the nails
• Nails separating from the skin

Changes or abnormalities in the nails could have a variety of different causes, ranging from injury to infection. If you notice anything strange about your nails, make an appointment with either Dr Alison Duncan, Adult & Paediatric Dermatologist, and Dr Davide Altamura, Dermatologist and Dermatosurgeon, in Cayman,  to discuss the matter further.  They are both highly qualified to identify and treat the causes of nail abnormalities and other skin disorders.

Dark streaks on the nails can have a variety of possible causes. Often, they are caused by injury that damages the blood vessels of the nail bed and leaves a ‘bruise’ that will eventually grow out. If no injury has occurred, the most likely cause of dark streaks in the nails is a condition called melanonychia.

Melanonychia is a condition in which pigment-producing cells (called melanocytes) deposit melanin into the nail, causing brown stripes to appear. The condition can have a wide range of possible causes, and should be discussed with your doctor or dermatologist.

More rarely, dark streaks in the nails can be caused by other, more serious illnesses, such as skin cancer. Many causes of dark streaks in the nails are benign, but others are indicative of other health conditions that will require treatment. If you notice dark streaks on your nails, both Dr Alison Duncan, Adult & Paediatric Dermatologist, and Dr Davide Altamura, Dermatologist and Dermatosurgeon, Cayman, are highly experienced in the diagnosis and treatment of all skin and nail conditions and will be able to expertly assist you in finding the cause of your nail issues.

Fungal nail infections happen when a certain type of fungus begins to grow in the fingernails or toenails. Fungi can infect any part of the body, and common examples of fungal infections include athlete’s foot, jock itch, and ringworm. Fungal nail problems are usually caused by an infection called tinea unguium (AKA onychomycosis).

Fungal nail infections usually become nails to become:

• Yellowed or brownish
• Thickened
• Brittle or crumbly
• Ragged
• Distorted in shape
• Slightly smelly

Fungal nail infections usually require medical treatment to get rid of. If left untreated, they can lead to a variety of complications, including permanent damage to the nails. Fortunately, fungal nail infections can usually be effectively cleared with proper treatment. There are a variety of treatments available for fungal nail infections including topical and oral medications. Speak to one of our dermatologists here in Grand Cayman.  Both Dr Alison Duncan, Adult & Paediatric Dermatologist or Dr Davide Altamura, Consultant Dermatologist, will give an accurate assessment of your condition and the most appropriate treatment for your needs.

Ingrown toenails are a very common condition and can happen when the edges of a toenail start to grow into the skin around it.  This can cause inflamed skin, pain, swelling, and redness. If left untreated, an ingrown toenail may also become infected.

Ingrown toenails should be treated as soon as they develop to stop them from getting worse. Although over-the-counter painkillers can help to mask the discomfort, they won’t solve the problem. To completely fix an ingrown nail, the part of the nail that is digging into the skin may have to be removed.  Sometimes, a portion or the whole nail will have to be removed to stop the problem from returning. If your toenail is infected, our dermatologists will also prescribe antibiotics to heal the infection.

If you have persistent pain, redness, or swelling around any of your nails, and think one of them may be ingrown and/or infected, book an appointment here in Grand Cayman with either Dr Alison Duncan, Adult & Paediatric Dermatologist, or Dr Davide Altamura, Dermatologist & Dermatosurgeon. They will inspect the area to determine the exact cause of the pain and, if the nail is ingrown, perform the proper treatment to help it heal.

Brittle nails (sometimes called onychoschizia) is a common condition that causes the nails to become soft, thin and split easily. Anyone can be affected by brittle nails, though the condition is more common among women than men.

Brittle nails can have a wide variety of causes, including:

• Overexposure to moisture
• Overexposure to chemicals (like detergents, household cleaning products, nail polish remover, etc.)
• Age
• Iron deficiency
• Hyperthyroidism (a condition in which the body doesn’t produce enough thyroid hormones)
• Raynaud’s syndrome (a condition that causes circulation problems in the extremities)

Brittle nails can be caused by all sorts of things, so the best way to find out what’s causing yours is to ask a doctor or dermatologist. They will be able to expertly examine your nails and assess your lifestyle habits to get to the root of the problem. They may also want to perform further tests if they suspect your brittle nails are caused by another condition, such as hyperthyroidism.

Both Dr Alison Duncan, Adult & Paediatric Dermatologist, and Dr Davide Altamura, Dermatologist and Dermatosurgeon in Cayman, are highly experienced in the diagnosis and treatment of nail problems. With their expert help, getting to the bottom of your brittle nail problem will be simple and easy.