Itching scalp can be caused by a number of conditions, including dandruff, seborrhoeic dermatitis and psoriasis. Medicated shampoos can be used to treat dandruff and relieve itchy scalp.
Some other causes of itchy scalp include diabetes, herpes zoster, anxiety, discoid lupus, migraine headaches, hot comb hair loss/ heat styling, scalp psoriasis, scarring alopecia or contact dermatitis.
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.
Itching on the whole body might be a symptom of an underlying illness, such as liver disease, kidney disease, anemia, diabetes, thyroid problems and certain cancers. Nerve disorders. Examples include multiple sclerosis, pinched nerves and shingles (herpes zoster). Psychiatric conditions.
Summary. Dandruff affects about 50 per cent of the population. Itching scalp can be caused by a number of conditions, including dandruff, seborrhoeic dermatitis and psoriasis. Medicated shampoos can be used to treat dandruff and relieve itchy scalp.
This is a tactile hallucination known as formication. People with this condition are convinced the bugs are real, even with reassurance from others they are a hallucination. This makes formication difficult to treat for the person and their medical provider.
Seeking support from a therapist trained in treating BFRBs can be an important step in learning to stop picking. HRT and ComB are the most effective treatments for scalp picking. These forms of therapy can help you identify triggers and replace the behavior with healthier habits.
Autoimmune diseases that have been linked with scalp itch are dermatomyositis, systemic lupus erythematosus, scleroderma and Sjögren syndrome. Itch may or may not be associated with skin lesions.
You can use the Head and Shoulders Supreme Scalp Soothing shampoo with Argan oil, that nourishes and moisturises your itchy scalp. Or try the Head and Shoulders Neem shampoo or Lemon Fresh shampoo, that helps to clean and protect your head from the dandruff causing germs that are behind your itchiness.
As our oestrogen levels plummet, one of the side effects is dry, itchy skin. Our oil glands lose size and reduce production, so our skin, including that on our scalp, wrinkles and becomes more susceptible to damage.
Use creams, lotions or gels that soothe and cool the skin.
Short-term use of nonprescription corticosteroid cream may offer short-term relief of itchy, inflamed skin. Or try calamine lotion or creams with menthol (Sarna, others), camphor, capsaicin, or a topical anesthetic, such as pramoxine (adults only).
Creams, lotions, shampoos or ointments that control inflammation. Your health care provider might prescribe a prescription-strength corticosteroid you apply to the scalp or other affected area. These include hydrocortisone, fluocinolone (Capex, Synalar), clobetasol (Clobex, Temovate) and desonide (Desowen, Desonate).
It's important to remember that while scratching brings temporary relief, it only harms your scalp and hair. Scratching your scalp for long periods of time can damage your hair strands. The outside of each hair strand is covered in cuticlescales, somewhat like scales on a fish.
Vitamins D, B2, B3, B6, B7 are usually associated with a flaky scalp. A deficiency of these vitamins can directly impact the immune system and increase the risk of inflammation. Vitamin B and Zinc also play an integral role in boosting your immune system to counter dandruff like ailments.
Neuropathic itch refers to disorders characterized by chronic itching caused by dysfunction or damage to pruriceptors, nerves involved in itch transmission. In these conditions, itch is not triggered by external stimuli (eg, irritants or allergens), but rather arises spontaneously.
Infrequent hair washing, a reaction to a hair product, dandruff, and seborrheic dermatitis are some of the most common reasons why your scalp might be itchy. Other causes include head lice, psoriasis, nerve problems, ringworm, and scabies. Your treatment will depend on what's causing the itching.
The most common type of lupus, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), can cause dry, coarse hair to develop along the hairline. These dry, coarse hairs break off easily, causing the sparse-looking hair known as lupus hair. Other types of hair loss also develop.
Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease that causes your immune system to attack your body. Your immune system attacks your hair follicles because it thinks they're foreign invaders — bacteria, viruses, parasites or fungi — that cause infection, illness and disease.
Have you ever scratched your scalp and noticed white, waxy buildup under your nails? That's sebum mixed with dead skin cells. It's hard for shampoo alone to wash away your oily scalp issues. And issues like stress and weather can increase the scalp's sebum production, making you even oilier.
Flaking of the scalp can be the result of dermatitis, dandruff or psoriasis. Of all types of dermatitis the most likely to peel your scalp are: seborrheic dermatitis and contact dermatitis. A dry scalp can be uncomfortable and if it leads to itching and peeling, you can have a bad feeling about your hair condition.
Head lice usually look grayish-white or tan in color, though they can camouflage. Adult lice are around the same size as a sesame seed. Lice eggs may look like tiny ovals on the hair shaft. Head lice are tiny parasites that live on the human head and feed on blood from the scalp.
Key Vitamin Deficiencies
Vitamin B12: Essential for nerve health, a deficiency can cause nerve damage and result in sensations like formication. Iron: Low iron levels can lead to anaemia, which has been linked to crawling skin sensations.
Head lice should be considered in anyone who has an itchy scalp, or who has repeated skin infections on or around their scalp. There are many other causes of scalp itching that can be mistaken for head lice. These include folliculitis, psoriasis, eczema and dandruff, but they do not have the features mentioned above.