Itching of the scalp is noted with dandruff, seborrhea, pediculosis, certain types of lichen, hypovitaminosis, allergic reactions, somatic and endocrine diseases, accompanied by dry skin and metabolic disorders. Physiological reasons include non-compliance with the rules of dyeing and hair care, too tight hair. The symptom is often accompanied by a deterioration in the condition of the hair. The cause of the pathology is established on the basis of complaints, trichological examination data and additional studies. Treatment is carried out using local remedies. Common drugs are used less often, physiotherapy procedures are carried out.
Why does itchy scalp occur?
Physiological causes
Itching is often caused by dryness of the epidermis due to frequent washing, the use of too hot water, the abuse of a hairdryer and other heat styling devices, and prolonged exposure to the sun. The symptom also appears due to non-compliance with the rules of hygiene - the accumulation of fat, dust and sebum with rare washing. In women with thick long hair, the reason is insufficiently thorough washing of the head, leaving residues of shampoo and balm on the skin.
Itchy sensations can occur against the background of microtraumatization of the skin due to the use of a sharp comb, a large amount of styling products, aggressive and inappropriate shampoos, or a violation of the staining rules. Tight hairstyles become a provoking factor for itching, tightening, burning and discomfort: tight tails and buns, African braids, etc. Sometimes unpleasant sensations are explained by a long stay in a forced position, accompanied by microcirculation disorders in the cervical-collar zone.
Hair diseases
The scalp itches with the following pathologies:
- Dandruff. It is considered the most common cause of the symptom, periodically found in 70% of people. It is manifested by the formation of white scales, dullness and increased fragility of the hair.
- Dry seborrhea. There is increasing skin itching, peeling with a symmetrical spread of inflammation along the back of the head and the border of hair growth, followed by a transition to smooth skin, the appearance of plaques, spots, scratching.
- Oily seborrhea. The scales tightly cover the entire scalp, the hair is greasy, stuck together, quickly gets dirty, thins out over time, exfoliates, and becomes brittle. Itching and tightness worse after washing.
- Seborrheic dermatitis. It is characterized by the formation of well-defined red inflammatory foci, covered with scales, prone to increase in size and merge with each other. Along with the scalp, it affects the face and upper parts of the body. Hair falls out. Due to severe itching, scratching occurs, secondary infection is observed, and pyoderma develops.
Dandruff
Pediculosis
It develops when infected through objects (comb, hat, towel) or directly from the patient. Accompanied by itching, which is most pronounced in places of accumulation of lice (back of the head, behind the ear), intensifies at night. With a large number of parasites, subfebrile condition and regional lymphadenitis are possible. In places of bites, papules with an inflamed base are formed. Patients with head lice suffer from nervousness, irritability and sleep disturbances due to constant itching.
Lichen
Ringworm is a group of skin diseases caused by fungi and viruses. Itching of the scalp is accompanied by only some types of pathology:
- Microsporia. It is diagnosed in children 5-12 years old. Not found in adults. Hair breakage is observed. Itching occurs in patients infected with an anthropophilic variant of the pathogen, it worries when inflammation is attached. The epicenter of discomfort is in the affected area - on the border between smooth skin and hair. With another type of ringworm (trichophytosis), itchy sensations are absent.
- Pink deprive. It is more common in people 20-4 years old, but itching is usually accompanied in children, since at this age it occurs with a more pronounced inflammatory reaction. It affects the trunk, less often the head (face and scalp). It is manifested by the formation of a large round or oval spot, covered with scales, from which smaller rashes subsequently spread.
- Pityriasis versicolor. It is more often found on the back and chest, in children it can be located on the scalp. It is accompanied by the appearance of numerous rounded small spots prone to merging. The itch is insignificant, disturbs mainly at secondary infection of the centers.
demodicosis
It is provoked by a microscopic tick. Demodicosis affects smooth skin, sometimes the scalp. When localized on the head, it causes swelling of the skin, itching, burning, dandruff, rapid pollution and fading of the hair. Perhaps the formation of pustules, surrounded by a zone of edema, or vesicles and dense nodules. Sometimes the listed types of rashes are combined with each other.
Other reasons
Itching of the scalp can develop against the background of the following conditions:
- Hypovitaminosis. Deficiency of vitamins A, B and C causes dry skin, negatively affects the condition of its appendages. As a result, the sensitivity of the skin increases, itching occurs.
- Allergy. The symptom is most often observed when using care products with allergenic components. It can be observed in other variants of contact with the allergen, combined with urticaria, conjunctivitis, rhinitis.
- Exogenous intoxications. In chronic poisoning with mercury, beryllium, aluminum and some other toxic substances, changes in the skin and its appendages are found, combined with itching of the head.
- Endocrine and somatic pathologies. The cause of the symptom is a disease with the accumulation of certain substances in the body (cirrhosis, chronic hepatitis, cholestasis) or dry skin (hypothyroidism). Unpleasant sensations disturb not only on the scalp, but also throughout the body.
- Frequent stress. An increase in the level of adrenaline is accompanied by a narrowing of the peripheral vessels. The nutrition of the epidermis worsens, the scalp becomes dry or too oily, which is manifested by itching.
Trichoscopy
Diagnostics
In case of hair damage, diagnostic measures are carried out by a trichologist. To determine the cause of the development of the disease, patients are sent for consultations to a neurologist, gastroenterologist, immunologist and other specialists. Patients with skin diseases are examined by a dermatologist. The list of additional techniques for itching of the scalp may include the following procedures:
- Examination of the scalp. In most cases, it allows you to determine the disease of the hair. It is the main method of examination for pediculosis, makes it possible to identify excoriations, typical maculae and papules. Combing hair onto a piece of paper confirms the presence of motile parasites.
- Dermatoscopy. With trichological pathologies, dandruff, irritation, inflammation, excess sebum, hyperkeratosis can be detected. In patients with microsporia, mycelial filaments and changes characteristic of a fungal infection are determined.
- Other hardware methods. If pediculosis is suspected, in doubtful cases, the hair is examined with a Wood's lamp to visualize fluorescent nits. A luminescent study is used for the rapid diagnosis of microsporia and the exclusion of infection of contact persons, due to the characteristic green glow of the mycelium.
- Laboratory tests. Scraping microscopy is the main method used to confirm demodicosis. Informative for microsporia, but does not allow to differentiate this pathology from trichophytosis. If it is necessary to clarify the diagnosis and select more effective drugs, seeding on nutrient media is performed.
Treatment
Requires conservative therapy, including drug and non-drug measures. Patients with hair diseases are advised to limit the amount of sweet, fatty and spicy foods in the diet, add enough foods rich in vitamins to the menu. You should stop using aggressive shampoos, blow-drying, dyeing, using combs with sharp teeth. The list of treatment procedures for itching of the head depends on the characteristics of dermatological or trichological pathology:
- Seborrhea and seborrheic dermatitis. Recommended preparations with tar and zinc, in severe cases - keratolytic agents. Tight scales are softened with petroleum jelly, removed, and then antifungal drugs are applied. If these methods are ineffective, hormone-containing ointments are included in the therapy regimen. Useful darsonvalization and cryomassage.
- Pediculosis. To combat lice, shampoos and lotions with pyrethoids, organophosphorus compounds are used. If there is no result, lotions with benzyl benzoate or polydimethylsiloxanes are prescribed. Essential oils are effective in removing adult lice and nymphs, but they do not have the desired effect on nits.
- Microsporia. General and local antifungal therapy is used. Emulsions, ointments and creams, special sprays are applied to the scalp. With severe inflammation, combined agents with hormonal and antifungal components are prescribed. If a secondary infection occurs, antibacterial drugs are required.
- Demodicosis. Special ether and alcohol talkers, antimicrobial agents of local action are recommended. Comprehensive measures are needed to restore the protective properties of the skin.