Scalp Pain – Definition, Causes, Treatments, and More

Scalp Pain Definition

Scalp pain can cause by various factors such as infections, infestations, skin problems, headaches, hair loss, causing the scalp to become more sensitive and sore.

In addition to this, tightening your hair with tails a lot, making braids or doing hairstyles that pull a lot on the scalp; Wearing hard hats for a long time, or harsh shampoos can also cause pain discomfort on the top of the head.

Generally, the treatment for this problem is straightforward and depends on what the cause is.

For this reason, the ideal is to go to the dermatologist to carry out an evaluation and indicate the most appropriate treatment.

What are the Causes of Scalp Pain?

The leading causes of generating pain in the scalp are:

1. Dermatitis

• Dermatitis is a sensitive skin reaction that generates symptoms such as redness, itching, and peeling of the skin, accompanied by dandruff and blisters’ appearance.
• This disease can happen due to contact with everyday things such as metals, soaps, cosmetics, shampoos, cosmetic procedures, contamination, and even water.

What to Do:

1. Treatment is contingent on the type of dermatitis and the causes that originate it.
2. The most common dermatitis on the scalp is seborrheic dermatitis, which treats shampoos containing Ketoconazole, salicylic acid, or zinc pyrithione.
3. It can purchase in pharmacies. In more straightforward cases, it may be essential to resort to topical corticosteroids.

2. Infections

• Infections such as folliculitis and carbuncle can affect the hair follicles and cause sensitivity in the scalp, making it sore, tender, and hot to the touch.
• It is more frequent in people with diabetes skin diseases such as eczema or a weaker immune system.
• Carbuncle usually is caused by the proliferation of Staphylococcus aureus bacteria, and buried hairs generally cause folliculitis.
• Still, it can also occur due to a bacterial or fungal infection. In the most severe cases, scalp folliculitis can cause severe hair loss.

What to Do:

1. It is usually treated with antifungal shampoos such as Ketoconazole or with the use of antibiotics such as Erythromycin or Clindamycin, helping to solve the problem.
2. However, some cases can be challenging to cure, being necessary to maintain a specific treatment for several months.
3. You should also avoid bursting boils and carbuncles because there is a risk of them becoming infected and spreading to other parts of the body.

3. Pediculosis

• Pediculosis contains a lice infestation, which typically affects children at school, being very contagious. Lice feed on blood, and although they only live an average of 30 days, they multiply very quickly.
• Since each female louse lays between 7 to 10 nits per day, causing symptoms such as intense itching on the scalp, small wounds on the head, and leaving the scalp sore.

What to Do:

1. Head lice treatment consists of using a shampoo or a lotion that kills the lice and uses a fine comb to eliminate them.
2. In addition to this, a repellent can also use to prevent a new infestation. See more about treatment options.

4. Headache

• In some cases, the headache can also cause pain in the scalp, mainly when caused by stress, depression, or anxiety, and can even cause muscle tension.

What to Do:

1. To relieve the headache, you can take pain relievers and anti-inflammatories such as Paracetamol and Ibuprofen.
2. Some techniques do not require medications, such as taking a warm and relaxing bath.
3. Check out some methods for headache relief.

5. Temporal Arteritis

• Arteritis is a disease that reasons chronic inflammation of the inner layer of the arteries of the bloodstream.
• It most often affects the head’s arteries, especially those of the temple, which is why it is called temporal arteritis, causing symptoms such as throbbing headache, fever, anemia, tiredness, general malaise, and pain in the scalp.
• This kind of pain is more shared in older people and can cause severe systemic and ophthalmological levels.

What to Do:

1. Treatment consists of relieving symptoms and preventing vision loss, using corticosteroids such as Prednisone, for example.
2. He can also recommend analgesics and antipyretics such as Paracetamol and Dipyrone to relieve fever, tiredness, and general discomfort.

6. Hair Loss

• Regions of the scalp, wherever hair loss is more intense, are generally more sensitive and can make these regions feel sore. See what can cause hair loss.

What to Do:

1. To prevent hair loss, you should eat a balanced diet rich in protein, vitamins, and zinc, or take food supplements that are also rich in these nutrients.
2. Shampoos to stop hair loss like Kerium anti-hair loss from La Roche Posay or Neogenic from Vichy and lotions like Minoxidil 5% or Neogenic in Vichy ampoules stimulate hair growth and help stop hair loss.
3. In more severe cases, the dermatologist may order medications such as finasteride.

Treatments of Scalp Pain

1. Treatments vary depending on the symptom. Special shampoos like Selsun Blue or Head & Shoulders can help alleviate itchiness or dry, flaky scalp.
2. Change your shampoo, rinse your hair more wisely, and brush your hair gently. Ibuprofen or similar over-the-counter medication may help release inflammation or headaches that cause compassion.
3. Like lavender or rosemary, confidential essential oils can help restore sores that may be causing scalp pain. However, applying an undiluted essential oil to your scalp may make your signs worse. You’ll want to weak it first.
4. To dilute the oil, mix 4 to 6 drops of essential per each ounce of carrier oil. Sweet almond oil the whole thing well for the hair.
5. Before applying to your scalp, test the blend on a small patch of skin, say, on your forearm. Wait 24 hours to control whether your skin is going to react. If it doesn’t, it must be okay to use the mix on your head.
6. She was gently kneading the mixture into your hair and scalp. Please leave it in for 15 to 20 minutes, and then wash it out. You may need requirement to apply a gentle shampoo up to three times and rinse well.
7. Depending on your symptoms, you may find it essential to seek medical attention. If first-line treatments aren’t releasing your annoyance, your doctor may prescribe more vital medication or a special shampoo.
8. If particular care is necessary, your doctor may refer you to a dermatologist.

Conclusion

Although some people naturally have an affectionate scalp, an underlying medical ailment may also cause your symptoms.

If your symptoms are simple and you continue to persevere, you should schedule a selection with your doctor. If this can clear up in a few days or a few weeks depends on your symptoms.