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Breakdancers at risk of ‘rare condition’ that causes hair loss, warns study
Dancing is one of the toughest and most refined arts, but one specific dance can cause several health issues over prolonged period.
You don’t have to train for years to enjoy the benefits of dancing. Studies show that practicing a few moves around your house contributes to better sleep and health. But professional breakdancers are prone to more risks.
Breakdancing can lead to hair loss and tender scalp
The popular dance form, breaking, incorporates different styles – no wonder it’s much harder than other dances. It is a style of street dance that originated in the Bronx in the 1980s and has now found a place for itself in the Olympics.
As entertaining as it is to watch it, dancers performing it can suffer serious injuries, especially during acts involving the head and neck regions.
A recent study published in The British Medical Journal discusses the “rare condition” called “headspin hole”, which can occur in breakdancers due to repetitive headspins.
“Prolonged breakdancing often leads to breakdancer overuse syndrome which includes various conditions, such as carpal tunnel syndrome and swollen and inflamed tendons (tenosynovitis) as well as hair loss and scalp irritation,” said the authors of the study.
The condition is marked by a protruding lump on the scalp, often accompanied by hair loss and tenderness. Breakdancers also face a higher risk of head and brain injuries as well as sprains, strains, and tendinitis.
Dancer in his ’30s treated for the condition
Although the condition is rare, the doctors reportedly treated a man in his early ’30s for a burgeoning lump on his head. He has been performing various forms of headspins for over 19 years.
“He practiced his moves 5 times a week for around 1.5 hours a time. During these sessions, direct pressure was applied to the top of his head for between 2 and 7 minutes,” the report states.
The dancer continued to perform despite hair loss and the lump but got it checked by a medical professional when the bulge on the head became tender.
The lump was removed successfully, although the skin tissue around the bulge remained thick. But the dancer was “happy” with the surgical intervention as he was able to step out in the public “without having to wear a cap.”
