Itchy scalp: causes and treatment

2024 Author: Curtis Blomfield | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 20:44

Many people face the problem of itchy scalp. When combing, the situation only gets worse, which causes microcracks, abrasions, sores. The causes of the appearance and treatment of itching of the scalp are described in the article. So let's get started.

Reasons

Itchy scalp can not be ignored. After all, with him there are many inconveniences. Sometimes itching can indicate disorders in the body and manifest itself in the form of scaly plaques or focal hair loss. The causes of itching of the scalp are diverse, and in each situation it is necessary to determine the specific one. Otherwise, the treatment may go nowhere.

The causes of an itchy scalp are:

1. Stress. Due to frequent unrest and psycho-emotional overstrain, there is a high release of adrenaline into the blood. During physical exertion, this hormone is consumed, but if movements are not enough, then its accumulation in the blood causes muscle tensionbody and itchy skin.
2. Strong muscle tension. Long-term tension in the occipital and shoulder muscles leads to circulatory disorders in the head area, which often, along with other symptoms, is manifested by itching.
3. Dry scalp. This usually comes from thermal exposure - frequent drying with a hairdryer, the use of ironing, curling irons. Other causes include severe emaciation, frequent hair washing, low-fat diets, and old age. As a result, the layer of subcutaneous fat becomes thinner, and the hair becomes thin and brittle.
4. Skin irritation and allergy. This can be manifested by exposure to cosmetics, for example, varnish, shampoo, foams, balms, paints. Due to frequent staining, overdrying of the skin and the appearance of dandruff also occur, and often allergies appear. This applies more to products with ammonia and hydrogen peroxide.
5. Allergy to household chemicals. It is the result of exposure to washing powders, perfumed soaps, dishwashing detergents.
6. Hypovitaminosis. If an insufficient amount of vitamins and microelements enters the body, their deficiency occurs, which negatively affects the condition of the skin.

The causes of hair loss and the treatment of the scalp are interrelated. It is important here to determine the factor that led to this. So it will be easier to eliminate this unpleasant phenomenon.

Diseases that cause itching

Keep in mind that itching of the scalp may be due to:

1. Seborrheic dermatitis. This is a skin disease of an inflammatory type and a chronic course,arising from the yeast-like lipophilic fungus Pityrosporum ovale. Seborrhea is considered a manifestation of seborrheic dermatitis. At the beginning of the disease, dandruff with itching is formed, and then seborrheic plaques appear, spreading almost throughout the head.
2. Seborrhea. With this disease, inflammation of the layers of the skin occurs, the production of the secretion of the sebaceous glands increases, the composition of sebum changes. A sign of the disease is an inflammatory thickening of the stratum corneum of the epidermis, the appearance of whitish scales - dandruff. In difficult cases, red plaques appear, covered with crusts. With a dry type of seborrhea, thinning and brittle hair, itching occurs, and with a greasy one, the curls are shiny, look greasy.
3. Pediculosis. This is a parasitic skin disease that occurs due to different types of lice. Pediculosis appears due to ignoring the rules of personal hygiene: using someone else's comb, putting on someone else's hats, etc.
4. Psoriasis. Chronic skin disease from the group of scaly lichen. There are many types of the disease, the main ones are vulgar, pustular, teardrop. The disease manifests itself in the form of psoriatic plaques, with an increase in their size, large scaly plates appear.
5. Folliculitis. Inflammation of the hair follicles of an infectious type. Pustules with purulent contents appear, which eventually lead to the appearance of small ulcers.
6. Demodekoza. This is a skin disease that appears from microscopic mites of the genus Demodex. There is a lesion of different parts of the body, including the scalp. There is severe itching and hair loss.
7. Dermatophytosis- fungal diseases. It can be favus, trichophytosis, microsporia. When the disease appears itching, breakage and hair loss.

Itchy scalp occurs due to diabetes, as well as multiple sclerosis. Sometimes it accompanies certain diseases of the liver and gallbladder. These are the main causes of itchy scalp and hair loss.

Treatment should be started only after determining the provoking factor.

In children

Pediculosis usually leads to itchy scalp in children. Parasites like to live on the delicate skin of children. Parasites feed on blood by biting through the skin. In this case, discomfort appears due to a mechanical effect on the nerve endings.

Rarely, itchy scalp in children appears for neurological reasons, as well as from infection or allergies. This symptom is not a disease, it is only a consequence of the disease. And what led to this symptom, the doctor must determine.

Diagnosis

To determine the cause of itching of the scalp, you need to diagnose. This will determine the method of treatment. You should contact a specialist - a dermatologist, trichologist, mycologist or dermatocosmetologist. Based on the etiology of the disease, it may be necessary to consult doctors such as an endocrinologist, an allergist and a neurologist.

At the first stage, the doctor performs a physical examination: determines the causes of itching, as well as features - duration and intensity. A specialist inspectsaffected skin. At the second stage, studies are assigned, the results of which confirm the diagnosis.

The doctor needs to establish the diagnosis and causes of itchy scalp. This will allow you to prescribe the correct treatment. Diagnostic methods are as follows:

1. Microscopic examination of a biomaterial, for example, the contents of a hair follicle for the presence of Demodex subcutaneous mite. Required if there is a risk of demodicosis.
2. Microscopy of scrapings for pathogenic fungi. It is used for trichophytosis, folliculitis, microsporia and other fungal diseases.
3. Bacteriological culture of the separated scraping for microflora. The method identifies the pathogen and establishes its susceptibility to antibiotics, antimycotics and other agents.
4. Luminescent diagnostics with Wood's lamp. Needed for mycoses, dermatoses.
5. Histological examination of the affected area. Performed for psoriasis.
6. Dermatoscopy. Performed at risk of favus, seborrheic dermatitis.
7. Spectral study of strands for trace elements. Needed to determine the cause of seborrheic dermatitis.
8. Study of the hormonal system. Tests are required to determine the cause of the itching.

Causes and treatment of itchy scalp should be established by a doctor. Only then will it be possible to quickly and correctly cure this unpleasant phenomenon.

Medications

Information on the treatment of itching of the scalp with the reappearance of this aesthetic pathology can be obtained from the doctor who performed the therapeutic procedures. Usually the treatment optionis selected from the nature and cause of the disease.

Topical, oral and other medications can be prescribed by a specialist. You should not self-prescribe medications for yourself, in this case there is a risk of aggravating the problem. Often, treatment is performed using drugs with different directions and therapeutic effects:

1. Seborrhea is treated with antifungal agents, vitamins B2, E and A.
2. If a person has increased nervousness, antidepressants and sedatives are prescribed.
3. Hormonal disruptions are treated with drugs that can normalize hormone levels.
4. If itching is caused by allergies, then antihistamines are needed.

People who have this problem often turn to doctors asking for advice on remedies to eliminate itching at home. Specialists can prescribe and folk remedies. These include therapeutic masks that have been found to be safe and effective.

Traditional medicine

Head itch doesn't go away on its own. If it is not eradicated in a timely manner, then the disease develops, and complications begin. If you do not want to go to the doctor or there is no way, then the treatment of itching of the scalp with folk remedies will give a good effect. To restore the functioning of the sebaceous glands, decoctions of medicinal herbs allow. Especially useful is the use of nettle, oak bark and chamomile. And thanks to massage, blood circulation is easily restored and, consequently, skin nutrition improves.

Treatment of scalp itching is possible withusing the following useful tools:

1. Using onion and garlic juice. They contain sulfur and acid, due to which itching and dandruff that appear after staining are eliminated. Fresh onion or garlic juice is needed, which is mixed with lemon juice and vegetable oil. Components must be taken in equal proportions. The finished composition is applied to wet curls, lightly rubbing into the skin, and left for 30 minutes. Then you need to wash your hair with warm water, adding vinegar or lemon juice to it in advance.
2. Using an apple mask. The remedy eliminates itching and peeling. To prepare the mask, apples must be chopped on a coarse grater. The finished mass is applied to the scalp before washing. A cotton cap is put on top, left for 30 minutes and washed off. It is necessary to perform the procedures 2 times a week.
3. Olive Lemon Mask. Such procedures are needed to moisturize the scalp, eliminate dandruff, and cleanse. For the mask you need olive oil (2 tablespoons), lemon juice (1 tablespoon). The first component must be heated in a water bath and the second added. The finished composition must be rubbed into the scalp, put on top of a plastic bag and a towel. After 20 minutes, wash off with any medicated shampoo.
4. Mask of linseed and olive oil. It is effective for severe dry scalp. Oils (1 tablespoon each) must be mixed and heated in a water bath. The warm composition is rubbed into the scalp. A cap is put on top and warmed with a towel. Wash off after 30 minutes.
5. Oatmeal mask. The product has a nourishing, moisturizing and cleansing effect.action. To prepare the mask, you need a decoction of nettle, chamomile, sage or plantain (6 tablespoons), as well as oatmeal (2 tablespoons). The flakes should swell. The finished mixture is rubbed into the skin and hair roots with massage movements. Put a plastic bag on top and wrap your head with a towel. Wash off after 2 hours with a neutral shampoo.
6. Dandelion flower lotion. It has a calming effect on the scalp. Fresh flowers must be crushed, placed in a container and poured with 50 ml of vodka. Freshly squeezed lemon juice and liquid honey (1 tsp each) are added to the mixture. The components are thoroughly mixed and infused for 2 weeks. The resulting tonic must be filtered and applied to the skin and hair 30 minutes before washing. A hat or scarf is put on top.
7. Mask with a banana. To prepare it, you will need half a fruit, which is mixed with onion juice (1 tsp) and warm honey (1 tbsp). The mask must be applied to the curls and left for 40 minutes, and then washed off.

All listed remedies for itchy scalp are considered safe and effective. Positive results are expected after just a few treatments.

Shampoos

What to do with an itchy scalp if there is no time to prepare folk remedies and go to the doctor? You can use a special shampoo. In addition to the main action, they can have other positive properties.

Shampoos come in:

• antibacterial;
• sebum cleanser;
• antifungal;
• exfoliating.

You can buy these funds at the pharmacy. The best are the following:

1. "Nizoral". It has an antifungal effect, created in Belgium. The remedy is required to combat the symptoms of the disease. Its use destroys the fungus, itching, peeling. If you perform the procedures 2 times a week, then after a month the problem will be eliminated.
2. "Sebozol". Has a healing effect. With it, the skin affected by the fungus is restored. You need to wash your hair with this shampoo for at least a month, and 2 times a week.
3. "Sulsena". Shampooing helps to get rid of itching and flaking.

Use shampoos according to the instructions, otherwise the situation can only get worse. Typically, the manufacturer specifies the duration of the sessions and the frequency of their execution.

Essential oils

Severe itching of the scalp is easily eliminated by essential oils. They are in the composition of shampoos with cosmetic and therapeutic properties. For example, one of the most popular in folk medicine is tea tree oil and burdock. At home, they are used in their pure form. With them, you can eliminate itchy scalp and dandruff, as well as make your hair he althy.

Using esters and regular oils is easy. They should be rubbed into the scalp and hair roots, leaving for a while. It is important to wrap your head with a plastic bag and a towel after this.

The following types are considered popularoils:

1. Burdock. Eliminates dandruff and reduces hair loss. After the procedures, the curls will be strong and shiny.
2. Tea tree. Treats dandruff, itchy scalp. Results will be visible within a week.
3. Lavender. Treats dandruff, accelerates hair growth, makes them shiny. A few drops are enough, which are added to the shampoo and wash your hair with this remedy.
4. Castor oil. The oil is needed to eliminate itching, dandruff and protect against hair loss.
5. Coconut. It has an excellent antibacterial effect, strengthens thin strands. The oil serves as a protection against the appearance of dandruff and gray hair. Can be mixed with shampoo.
6. Almond. The product nourishes the roots of the strands, eliminates split ends and dandruff. It is used several times a day, putting droplets on the comb.
7. Linen, jojoba, sea buckthorn. These oils treat dandruff, strengthen and nourish strands.

Diet

He alth of hair and scalp depends on nutrition. Due to unbalanced food, itching, peeling, inflammation appear. To prevent these problems, you must:

• include liver, yeast, eggs, almonds in your daily diet;
• eat dairy products regularly;
• do not eat sweet and fatty;
• drink plenty of clean water;
• include fiber-rich foods in the menu;
• eat fresh fruits and vegetables.

If problems are already detected, then the diet will speed up recovery. Usually, folk and special remedies do an excellent job of treating itchy scalp and dandruff. But if nota positive result, you need to visit a doctor. This will prevent the disease from starting.

Prevention

Any disease is easier to prevent than to cure. To avoid unpleasant symptoms, you need to follow simple tips:

1. Use high-quality shampoos, balms and lotions that do not contain harmful allergen components.
2. Use only personal styling tools.
3. In hairdressers and salons, control the processing of tools.
4. Keep a he althy lifestyle, eat right and eliminate bad habits.
5. Do not self-medicate.

These simple tips will help prevent such an unpleasant phenomenon as an itchy scalp. But if it does appear, then it should be treated with effective and safe means.