When you don't wash your hair for 3 or more days or if your scalp is naturally oily, the oils your scalp produces naturally gets accumulated near your hair shafts. While this alone can cause itching and irritation in your scalp, it is ultimately the overgrowth of yeast that causes the throbbing pain in your hair.
Here's Why Your Scalp Hurts When Your Hair Is Dirty
This inflammation can then lead to swelling and a buildup of tissue, which presses against nerve endings at the base of your hair follicles and in your scalp. The end result is a painful, irritated scalp that may feel sore to the touch.
Burning scalp is often caused by skin conditions, including seborrheic dermatitis, a common skin disease that causes inflamed, scaly, oily skin. Seborrheic dermatitis often appears in the body's oiliest parts, including the scalp. Other than a burning sensation on the scalp, the symptoms are: Skin Lesions.
Oil Buildup: When you don't wash your hair, oils and sweat can accumulate on your scalp. This buildup can lead to irritation and tension in the scalp, which may contribute to headaches.
If the scalp is insufficiently cleansed, this sebum production can increase and promote the proliferation of Malassezia, which leads to inflammation and irritation.
When you don't wash your hair for 3 or more days or if your scalp is naturally oily, the oils your scalp produces naturally gets accumulated near your hair shafts. While this alone can cause itching and irritation in your scalp, it is ultimately the overgrowth of yeast that causes the throbbing pain in your hair.
Migraines, headaches, and autoimmune disorders can cause scalp pain, irritation, and inflammation. Sunburns, rashes, wounds, and insect bites also commonly cause scalp tenderness. Most diagnoses of scalp tenderness clear up on their own or with medication, but some are signs of an underlying condition.
Regular washing of the scalp with a medicated shampoo may be all that is required to relieve itching scalp. The most common anti-dandruff shampoos contain one or more of: zinc pyrithione or zinc omadine. selenium sulphide.
Frequent “brain burning” feelings are a common indication of hyperstimulation (chronic stress) and how it can affect blood flow, neurotransmitter changes, and nervous system activity.
Use a cool compress or hair products with a cooling effect – applying cold to the affected area can be soothing and reduce burning and itching. Protect your scalp from burns and heat damage – being out in the sun without UV protection or overusing heat-styling products can dry out your scalp and add to your symptoms.
Scalp pain or tenderness can have a variety of causes including trauma, psoriasis, dermatitis, folliculitis, infections, or even your hairstyle. Underlying conditions like headaches or migraines could also be to blame.
Scalp dysesthesia (burning scalp syndrome) is characterized by abnormal sensations of the scalp such as burning, tingling, and pruritus in the absence of objective skin findings. Several underlying brain disorders present with dysesthesia, most commonly as neuropathic itch.
The consequences of pollution (and not enough washing)
According to Fernandez, when hair is washed less than twice a week, the follicles become clogged and this can cause a range of problems: scalp flaking, itching, sensitivity, dandruff, and even hair loss.
The best way to get rid of the smell is to shampoo and condition your hair. Having your stylist clip away some of the singed ends can also help. If you still notice the smell of burned hair lingering, try a hair perfume.
Bacteria trapped in the inflamed hair follicle can cause small pus-filled bumps called pustules to form. These red, oozing pustules look like acne.
“The scalp is incredibly rich in blood supply, nerve endings, and oil glands. Additionally, this yeast (pityrosporum) builds up, leading to dandruff. The combination of these factors can cause inflammation, which translates to sensitivity that can make it feel like your hair is hurting.”
Generally, he says, the range is somewhere between once a day and once a week. “If you have very fine or thin hair, you may need to wash more often, while those with thick or curly hair may need to wash less often,” says Dr Elizabeth Bahar Houshmand, a double board certified dermatologist and hair health expert.
Giant cell arteritis frequently causes headaches, scalp tenderness, jaw pain and vision problems. Untreated, it can lead to blindness.
An intensely itchy scalp without signs of a rash or another skin reaction can be a sign of a nerve problem. Your doctor may say you have neuropathy (neu-rop-ah-thie). It's the medical word for a problem along a nerve due to damage, disease, or an abnormality in the way the nerve works.
The bottom line. A dry, itchy scalp can be a sign of dandruff or other skin conditions that affect the scalp. Some home remedies that can soothe an itchy scalp include medicated shampoos with selenium sulfide and tar shampoos. Apple cider vinegar rinses and oatmeal masks can help relieve scalp itching.
"When brushing your hair, there also shouldn't be any pain or flakes." A healthy scalp should also be free of irritation or itchiness, have a balanced sebum production (not to dry or greasy), and feel supple to the touch. An unhealthy scalp can show up as skin concerns on the scalp or issues with your hair.