Whether it appears suddenly or has been developing for some time, dealing with scalp pain is distracting and uncomfortable. It also raises questions like, “Why does my scalp hurt?” » as well as what you can do to stop the pain.

Unfortunately, scalp pain is a common complaint that dermatologists hear, says Ife J. Rodney, MD., board-certified dermatologist and founding director of Eternal Dermatology + Aesthetics. There are actually many reasons why you might be experiencing scalp pain right now, as well as a variety of treatments.

Meet the experts: Ife J. Rodney, MD., board-certified dermatologist and founding director of Eternal Dermatology + Aesthetics; Joshua Zeichner, MD., director of cosmetic and clinical research at Mount Sinai Hospital; Gary Goldenberg, MDboard-certified dermatologist practicing in New York

Here’s what could be causing your scalp pain, plus how to fix it, according to doctors who treat it regularly.

The main causes of scalp pain

There are many potential culprits behind your scalp pain. These are the most common cases that doctors see and diagnose.

Hairstyle tension

“I see this all the time,” says Dr. Rodney. “It happens in all ethnicities and hair types. It just depends on how you style your hair.” The pain occurs because certain hairstyles can place physical stress on hair follicles, impact nerves and lead to pain, explains Joshua Zeichner, MD., director of cosmetic and clinical research at Mount Sinai Hospital.

The location of your scalp pain from a hairstyle may vary depending on the style itself, says Dr. Rodney. “People who pull their hair into a bun may feel tenderness at the hairline, while those who wear extensions may feel tightness and tension everywhere,” she says.

Dermatitis

Dermatitis is a “catch-all term” to describe inflammation of the skin, says Dr. Rodney. There are several potential causes for this on your scalp, including seborrheic dermatitis, which is similar to dandruff, and even an allergic reaction to a shampoo or product you used, she says.

When you have scalp dermatitis, it causes inflammation that can irritate the nerves in that area, leading to pain, explains Gary Goldenberg, MDboard-certified dermatologist practicing in New York.

Migraines and other headaches

Migraines and other forms of headaches can cause scalp pain.

A tension headache usually feels like a band is wrapped tightly around your forehead, and the pain may extend to your scalp, depending on the United States National Library of Medicine.

If you suffer from chronic migraines, you may experience what is called allodyniathis is where the nerve endings in your scalp are especially painful to the touch. “Sometimes the pain can be referred to the scalp and cause a feeling of tenderness, soreness, or even soreness on the scalp, especially when touched,” says Dr. Goldenberg.

Scalp psoriasis

Psoriasis is a chronic skin condition that causes scaly, itchy patches to appear on the skin, including the scalp.

“Scalp psoriasis is a condition in which your immune system becomes angry with the skin, leading to inflammation,” says Dr. Zeichner. “Patients typically developed red patches with thick scales, which can cause itching, discomfort or, in some cases, pain.”

Scalp psoriasis can also cause scales and even cracks to form in the skin of the scalp, says Dr. Rodney.

Folliculitis

This is what happens when hair follicles become infected and inflamed, explains Dr. Goldenberg. “Especially in acute cases, the inflammation can make the scalp painful and tender to the touch,” he says.

Ringworm

Ringworm, or tinea capitis, isn’t actually caused by a worm, it’s a fungal infection, says Dr. Zeichner. This can lead to a distinct circular-shaped rash and patches of baldness, says Dr. Rodney.

“You may have pus-filled pumps, and these areas may itch, leading to broken skin and triggering nerves,” she says. “People need to be treated quickly, otherwise it can lead to scarring and permanent hair loss,” says Dr. Zeichner.

Sunburn

There are different levels of sunburn, but they can all cause pain. “It often hurts, even in the scalp,” says Dr. Goldenberg. “This is due to inflammation of the skin cells on the scalp.”

Dr. Zeichner says he frequently sees scalp sunburn in part of the hair or front of the scalp, making it important to pay special attention to sunscreen in these areas.

Hair loss

Hair loss usually isn’t painful at first, says Dr. Goldenberg. “However, there are types of scarring or inflammatory hair loss that, due to inflammation, can cause irritation and even pain to the scalp,” he says.

One form of this, known as central centrifugal scarring alopecia, can be particularly painful, says Dr. Rodney. “The characteristic symptoms are burning, pain and tenderness of the scalp,” she says.

How to treat scalp pain

The right treatment for your scalp pain ultimately depends on what’s behind it and whether that underlying condition is being treated. But doctors claim that these products can help solve many problems:

• Wear a loose hairstyle to release tension on the scalp.

• Use an antibacterial shampoo, which can clear up mild breakouts.

• Avoid perfumed products or other potential irritants.

• Use cooling packs on your scalp.

• Take an over-the-counter medication like acetaminophen or ibuprofen to temporarily relieve pain.

How to keep your scalp healthy

There are a few things you can do to keep your scalp healthy, whether you’re currently experiencing pain or want to prevent it from happening in the first place.

• Wear sunscreen, including your own.

• Try not to scratch your scalp, as this may cause bleeding and pain.

• Use mild shampoos.

• Limit the use of heated styling tools, which can pull on your hair and even burn the scalp.

• Use new products in small quantities to see how you react first.

• Consider using an antifungal shampoo to reduce the amount of fungus on your scalp.

When to see a doctor for scalp pain

If your scalp is sore one day and fine the next, it could be due to something like a hairstyle you wore for the day or irritation from a new product. But if you find that this is a regular problem for you, Dr. Rodney recommends seeing a dermatologist.

“These can be very early signs of what will become permanent, long-lasting hair loss,” she says. “Time is really running out.”

12

You might also like