Why does irritation occur on the scalp?

Beautiful, healthy hair is our wealth, pride, dignity. Unfortunately, not everyone is blessed with thick hair, and many have to fight for the health of their curls.

Irritation accompanied by redness, inflamed pimples, and burning are the most common reasons for visiting a trichologist.

Unexplained itching of the scalp causes a lot of inconvenience, physical and emotional discomfort. Irritation on the scalp causes decreased performance and mental discomfort. A person worries about his appearance and constantly strives to scratch his head. With constant scratching, the risk of infection through open microcracks and wounds increases. In this case, everything ends in severe inflammation, purulent pimples, and rapid hair loss. If there are any changes on the head, you should consult a doctor to avoid worsening the disease.

Itching and irritation on the scalp is a fairly common phenomenon, causing a lot of inconvenience and discomfort.

The inflammatory process under the hair can be caused by various reasons, the most common of which are:

• skin diseases (seborrhea, dermatitis, dandruff, fungus, lichen, demodicosis);
• damage by parasites (lice, ticks, fleas);
• an allergic reaction to an external factor, for example, shampoo, conditioner, hair dye, mask, styling product;
• Frequent washing leads to dry skin. Frequent rinsing washes away the protective film on the head, opening the way for various infections;
• stress, emotional overstrain;
• incorrectly selected cosmetics for hair care;
• the result of shaving using a machine.

Causes of itchy scalp

You should immediately pay attention to the fact that the scalp is itchy, especially if the sensation intensifies in the evening or at night. Another dangerous signal is hair loss. Well, the main alarming sign is the occurrence of inflammation, spots, compactions, blisters, ulcers and other unacceptable formations.

Once you notice these signs, you need to urgently contact a specialist. A dermatologist, trichologist or endocrinologist can help. After the examination, an individual treatment regimen is prescribed. If it becomes clear that the irritant is external, treatment can be carried out at home using traditional methods. Once the source is eliminated, the itching usually goes away.

Let's look at the TOP 10 reasons why a person experiences itchy scalp.

Dandruff

This disease, in addition to severe itching of the scalp, is accompanied by the appearance of scales, which are desquamated epithelium.

Hair loses its shine, becomes dry and brittle, or, conversely, becomes greasy. Dandruff is often a symptom of psoriasis, seborrhea, mycotic lesions of the scalp, vitamin deficiency and even problems with the gastrointestinal tract. Therefore, itching of the scalp accompanied by the appearance of dandruff should not be ignored.

Stress

Frequent worries and psycho-emotional stress are accompanied by an increased release of adrenaline into the blood.

During physical activity, this hormone is consumed, but if physical activity is not enough, then its accumulation with increasing concentration in the blood leads to muscle tension throughout the body and the appearance of skin itching. This sensation is often called nervous itching.

Parasites

Various parasitic creatures can cause itching in the neck area. These include:

1. Mosquitoes and other insects that leave bites on the human body.
2. Lice. A child who attends school or kindergarten is most susceptible to their appearance. A photo of the parasite on the head under the child’s hair can be seen below.
3. Scabies mite. The parasite burrows under the skin and lays its eggs there, causing itching and, in some cases, a rash. The process of tick parasitism is called demodicosis.

Senile itch in the elderly

As a person ages, his skin begins to require special care. The skin of older people becomes more fragile and thin. Loss of elasticity, previous moisture – all this increases its sensitivity to external influences. Functions that protect the skin work worse, and this happens due to physiology.

Metabolic processes become slower, skin cells are regenerated at slower speeds. The resources that the skin needs so much to successfully perform its primary functions are supplied in ever smaller quantities. But the skin must repel infections, normalize the body’s temperature balance, and take part in oxygen exchange.

Patients over 65 often complain of unpleasant sensations such as burning, tingling of the scalp, and a feeling of some irritation. But it is important to distinguish itching caused by aging from other diseases. For example, itching can signal a nerve disorder, pathologies of internal organs, allergies or infections, or fungus. When treating, it is necessary to take into account all individual factors, such as the patient’s health. It is also necessary to consider the likelihood of negative consequences of treatment.

Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease. It is extremely difficult to establish why pathology develops in a particular patient. It is believed that factors that weaken a person’s immune system can provoke a relapse of the disease:

• infectious, viral and other diseases;
• severe stress;
• prolonged exposure to direct sunlight (useful in small doses);
• taking medications and more.

By the way! It is believed that the appearance of psoriasis is due to heredity.

After an exacerbation, the pathology goes through several stages of development, each of which is characterized by certain signs:

• itching and redness of the dermis, over time the skin itches more and more;
• peeling of the skin;
• the appearance of large spots covered with white flakes (dead tissue);
• cracks and abrasions on the head.

The elasticity of the skin in the problem area decreases, as a result of which the dermis is easily injured.

Treatment

Psoriasis requires an integrated approach to treatment. Therapy of the disease involves the use of:

• corticosteroids and cytostatics (in severe cases);
• antihistamines;
• sedative and hyposensitizing drugs;
• vitamin complexes and immunomodulators.

The use of these drugs is intended to relieve symptoms characteristic of psoriasis and increase the duration of the remission stage. However, it is impossible to completely get rid of the pathology. In case of secondary infection, treatment of psoriasis is supplemented with local antibacterial drugs.

Diagnostics

Diagnostic methods used to determine the pathology that causes itching of the head:

1. Fluorescent diagnostics using a Wood's lamp - an ultraviolet lamp with a filter. Prescribed for various mycoses and dermatoses.
2. Histological examination of a piece of affected skin. Indicated for psoriasis.
3. Dermatoscopy is performed if favus or seborrheic dermatitis is suspected.
4. Spectral examination of hair for microelements will help to find out the cause of the development of seborrheic dermatitis.
5. Microscopic examination of biomaterial, for example, the contents of a hair follicle, for the detection of subcutaneous demodex mites. Prescribed for suspected demodicosis.
6. Microscopy of scrapings from smooth skin for pathogenic fungi. The method is used for trichophytosis, folliculitis, microsporia and many other fungal diseases.
7. Bacteriological seeding of discharge/scraping for microflora to identify the type of pathogen and determine its susceptibility to antibiotics, antimycotics or other chemotherapeutic drugs. The study is necessary to identify folliculitis, trichophytosis, etc.
8. Study of the patient's hormonal background. Tests are necessary to determine the cause of itching of the scalp.

To find out the cause of itching, determine the necessary diagnostic measures and develop treatment tactics, you need to contact one of the doctors - a dermatologist, trichologist, mycologist or dermatocosmetologist. Based on the etiology of the disease, it may be necessary to consult other specialists - an endocrinologist, an allergist or a neurologist.

At the first stage, the doctor conducts a physical examination: finds out the possible causes of itching, as well as its characteristics - duration and intensity, examines the affected skin. At the second stage, he prescribes various studies, the results of which can confirm the presumptive diagnosis.

Acne

In the cervical-collar area, with the development of acne, characteristic rashes appear that itch. Scratching is strictly prohibited. Initially, specialists find out the cause of such itching on the front of the neck, and then prescribe treatment methods.

The culprits in the development of acne may be:

• regular contact with the allergen;
• neglect of hygiene measures;
• viral and bacterial infections of lymph nodes;
• diseases of the digestive system.

Severe itching of the neck in front, peeling of the skin and burning cause the patient a lot of inconvenience and discomfort, which makes him overly irritable and apathetic.

Treatment for itchy scalp

Since itching of the scalp is just a consequence or a symptom, to treat it in 1 day it is necessary to identify and eliminate the cause that caused it. In this case, you need the help of a specialist who, after a complete diagnosis (various studies taking into account clinical manifestations and the specific case), will prescribe the optimal treatment.

Treatment of seborrhea is a long and complex process. Proper nutrition, avoidance of stress, hormonal balance (disturbances can provoke seborrhea), adherence to sleep and rest schedules are important in the treatment of the disease. In addition, it is important for patients to keep their scalp clean.

For dry skin, nourishing masks will be useful; they will have a softening effect and improve microcirculation. Also of great importance is compliance with the drinking regime (at least one and a half liters of water per day), which will prevent dehydration. If the itching is caused by a lack of vitamins and microelements, you should take a course of vitamins (Vitrum, Complivit, Alphabet, Centrum, etc.).

If the cause of the itching turns out to be elementary parasites (for example, lice), then to remove them you should purchase modern effective drugs against such parasites at the pharmacy - Nittifor solution or cream, Para Plus aerosol, Pediculen lotion. After removing lice, you should also get rid of nits by using a fine comb. It is also recommended to check other family members for the presence of lice, and the patient’s clothes and bedding should be boiled and ironed with a hot iron.

In this case, resorting to traditional methods (using, for example, kerosene) is not recommended; they not only will not help, but can also cause harm. Unlike lice, it is somewhat more difficult to determine the presence of demodicosis, but the doctor will do it in a matter of seconds. To treat demodicosis, you must consult a doctor; only he can prescribe medications.

Folk signs

Itching in the neck

Severe itching in the neck, head or upper back may mean the approach of some large-scale celebration with feasting and fights. According to many folk signs, itching in the back of the neck is a warning that a physical blow or verbal scolding awaits the person.

One of the signs says that a person who has an itchy back of his neck will have a long journey ahead of him in the near future.

If severe itching occurs, it is not recommended to trust folk signs, but rather go to the doctor. Only an experienced dermatologist will be able to determine why the back of the neck or head itches. Timely diagnosis and treatment will help avoid problems in the future.

Ointments to relieve itchy scalp

To get rid of itchy scalp, there are special ointments:

1. Nezulin is a cream-gel based on plant extracts, essential oils of mint, lavender and basil with the addition of D-panthenol. Nezulin can be used for allergic reactions and scalp irritation. The drug can relieve itching caused by insect bites.
2. Benzyl benzoate - available in the form of an emulsion for external use. Allows you to get rid of mite infestations, including the parasites that cause scabies.
3. Boric ointment is intended for the treatment of pediculosis. The product must be applied to the scalp and left for half an hour. Sulfur ointment has a similar effect.
4. Advantan – ointment, cream and fatty ointment. This remedy allows you to get rid of seborrhea and microbial eczema; it is prescribed for contact dermatitis and photodermatitis. I recommend applying a greasy ointment to very dry areas of the skin with severe itching.

Preventing irritation

You must follow a diet that does not contain sugar

To prevent irritation, simply follow these recommendations:

• balance your diet, remove harmful foods from your diet;
• avoid stressful situations;
• take proper care of your scalp and hair;
• use high-quality detergents;
• drink vitamins.

If a problem does appear, you should immediately consult a doctor to cure the disease at an early stage.

Diet for itchy scalp

To combat dry skin in general (including on the head!), you need to follow a balanced diet at home:

1. Omega-3 fatty acids, found in fish, flax seeds and some nuts, are known to help the body fight dry skin (as well as fatigue, moodiness and poor memory). Introducing more foods with omega-3 fatty acids (or fish oil supplements) will also help against itchy dryness.
2. Zinc is another assistant in the restoration of skin tissue, including on the head. Seafood, meat, poultry, nuts and whole grains are excellent sources. Pharmacies also sell supplements.
3. Vitamin A is another key element in the overall health of human skin. It supports blood circulation and the immune system. Good sources of vitamin A include eggs, butter, and orange and yellow fruits and vegetables.
4. Vitamin B supports healthy skin cell production. Sources include meat, poultry, greens, beans and whole grains.
5. Vitamin C promotes collagen production in the skin, keeping skin hydrated and healthy. Present in abundance in spinach, Brussels sprouts, kiwi, strawberries and citrus fruits.

Of course, you can take a multivitamin to get the right dose of all these skin-preserving supplements. Drink plenty of water and de-stress (easier said than done?) and your skin will thank you.

What to do at the beginning of the development of pathological symptoms

If there are primary signs of any defects, it is necessary to conduct a thorough examination of the skin. If parasites are absent, it is necessary to identify accompanying symptoms that will help diagnose the disease.

If there are no additional manifestations, you just need to give your skin a rest: do not blow-dry your hair in the near future, do not use a straightening iron. You should also refrain from using styling products, do not dye, lighten or perm. Procedures can irritate the skin even more.

During the treatment period, it is better not to go to the hairdresser.

Oils with antipruritic effect

The most popular are 3 folk methods. They can easily be implemented at home. The effectiveness of these methods has been proven by many people.

Tea tree oil

This oil is an effective anti-inflammatory and soothing agent. To help with itchy scalp, apply a few drops of oil to a cotton pad and wipe the disturbing area. After 5-10 minutes, you need to repeat the procedure. The itching will disappear within a few hours. When it appears, lubricate the head with oil again. The product has a drying effect and is effective for oily seborrhea.

Rosemary oil

This oil can normalize the microflora on the scalp and has a tonic and healing effect. Apply the oil to a cotton pad and treat itchy areas. It has been noticed that rosemary-based preparations help quickly get rid of dandruff.

Jojoba oil

If tea tree oil is recommended for oily seborrhea, then jojoba is recommended for dry seborrhea. This drug moisturizes the skin well, promotes softening and rapid exfoliation of dead cells. Thus, it cleanses and heals the scalp. Jojoba oil is used in the same way as previous products: by lubricating itchy areas with a cotton pad.

External factors

The reason that provoked the appearance of the misfortune may also lie in human nutritional violations of hygiene rules or the negative impact of the external environment. Therefore, before contacting a specialist, you need to analyze your actions over the past few days, as well as study the hygiene products that are used for hair care. This must be done, since the most common reasons for the back of the neck and head itching are the following:

• an allergic reaction that occurs to certain hygiene products intended for hair care.
• intolerance of the scalp located under the hairline to hair dye containing hydrogen peroxide or ammonia.

The back of the head can constantly itch due to constant drying of hair with a hot hairdryer, frequent washing, or prolonged exposure to direct sunlight without a hat. These factors lead to overdrying of the epidermis of the head and, accordingly, the appearance of fishing sensations.

The appearance of this aesthetic pathology is also greatly influenced by psycho-emotional overload or frequent stress. Due to their effect on the body, it begins to produce adrenaline at an increased rate, an increased amount of which causes the skin to itch.

Also, among the circumstances that can provoke the appearance of unpleasant sensations, experts note excessive mental stress or prolonged concentration of attention. This is due to the fact that such conditions cause emotional swings in a person, contributing to the development of negative skin sensations.

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People often experience itching sensations in different parts of the body. They have a very negative impact on the usual way of life and cause significant discomfort and inconvenience to a person. When the back of the head and neck itches, the reasons that characterize this phenomenon can vary from the most harmless (the person is sweating a lot, but there is no way to perform hygiene procedures) to the development of serious diseases in the body. But unfortunately, people begin to become interested in the possible preconditions for this scourge only after they have appeared. In such a situation, it takes a certain, sometimes long, time to rid the patient of negative symptoms. This could have been avoided by knowing the main risk factors leading to the development of the disease and preventing them in a timely manner.