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The condition can develop if Staphylococcus bacteria enter broken skin through a cut, scrape, or existing skin infection such as impetigo or eczema. Treatment involves improving diet; keeping the skin, hair, washcloths, and towels very clean; and using over-the-counter acne remedies. Pimples often first start appearing at puberty, when hormones increase the production of oil in the skin and sometimes clog the pores.
Tight hairstyles
If this is the case, you might notice other symptoms such as itching, scalp odor, or a change in the color or texture of your hair. Another possibility is that you might have a condition called seborrheic dermatitis, which is a form of eczema that affects the scalp. Symptoms of seborrheic dermatitis include red, itchy skin, scaling, and dandruff. If you think you might have seborrheic dermatitis, see a dermatologist for diagnosis and treatment.
Skin disorders
But using dry shampoo as a regular replacement for washing your hair can cause residue to cake into follicles. “Most people use way too much and spray it all in the scalp instead of on the strands, too,” says Dr. Jaliman. Bacteria can then thrive, especially if they mix with sweat, potentially causing inflammation, itching, and pain. Having occasional scalp tenderness when moving hair isn’t uncommon. Often it results due to tight hairstyles, scalp conditions, stress, or minor inflammation.
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Diagnosing and Treating Scalp Sensitivity
Trigeminal neuralgia is an electric shock-like pain that is felt on the face. Both nerve conditions can trigger pain sensations in the scalp. Shingles is yet another source of scalp pain arising from angry nerve endings, but it is accompanied by a blistering rash. Alopecia areata, telogen effluvium, and CCCA are hair loss conditions that can cause scalp sensitivity. If a person’s scalp feels sore near the roots of the hair and is accompanied by hair loss or shedding, this can point to trichodynia as one possible cause. Doctors may prescribe a medicated cream or ointment to manage irritation, pain, and external symptoms.
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Routine care involves gentle washing with suitable shampoos that match hair type (oily, dry), conditioning regularly but focusing on the ends where breakage happens most often. Hairstyles like high ponytails or tight braids can put excessive tension on your scalp, leading to scalp pain, hair loss, or a receding hairline. Minimize making such hairstyles and opt for looser ones that won’t strain your scalp. These conditions require medical diagnosis and treatment, which may involve medications to manage pain or nerve blocks to alleviate symptoms. Resolving more persistent or severe conditions causing scalp tenderness may take a few visits to a doctor.
These may cause excessive scalp pain and can lead to hair loss. Protecting the scalp from excessive sun exposure, using sunscreen or wearing a hat, and opting for gentle, hypoallergenic hair care products can prevent these issues. Studies on scalp sensitivity estimate the prevalence in the general population to be 25–70%, meaning that symptoms are fairly common. Scalp tenderness can accompany common conditions such as headaches, allergies, psoriasis, eczema, and hair loss.
For folliculitis
Symptoms that may accompany scalp pain include headaches, itchiness, scaly patches, and dandruff. There are a few reasons why your scalp might hurt when you tie your hair up. One possibility is that you might be experiencing tension headaches. When you tie your hair up, you might be pulling on your hair strands too tightly, which can cause tension headaches. If you have an infection, it can cause your scalp to hurt when you move your hair around.
What other common types of hair loss are there?
Daily cleansing can dry out the scalp and may even induce a flaking condition like seborrheic dermatitis, which is a chronic state of inflammation, explains Dr. Jaliman. If you have to wash your hair daily or if you have a sensitive scalp, she recommends using a gentle baby shampoo, like Mustela 2 in 1 Hair and Body Wash, which contains glycerin and avocado extract. Dry shampoo can cause hair pain when it's overused, says Dr. Jaliman. Using it to extend the life of a blowout or buy an extra wash-free day once in a while is fine.
Folliculitis
Doctors may also prescribe medicated shampoos or other formulations to manage symptoms. Scalp tenderness can be a symptom of occipital neuralgia, which involves the occipital nerves that run from the back of the neck to the forehead. If extreme, many of these conditions can lead to reversible hair loss. Special shampoos like Selsun Blue or Head & Shoulders can help alleviate itchiness or dry, flaky scalp. Hair pulling is just one of the physical manifestations of stress, she explains, and itching your scalp in response to the discomfort can also trigger flare-ups. Temporal arteritis, also referred to as giant cell arteritis or Horton’s arteritis, is a medical emergency that requires immediate medical help.
Understanding the potential causes behind scalp pain is crucial for identifying effective treatment options. While rare, scalp tenderness can be a sign of more severe health conditions, such as skin cell cancers and melanomas. These conditions normally present themselves as new or changed moles or stubborn sores. Scalp psoriasis can lead to scalp tenderness and flaking or crusting skin. Stress, hormones, dry air, or cold weather can trigger psoriasis. If you’re experiencing any itchiness or have red bumps that may crust or ooze, you should seek immediate medical attention.
In some cases, your doctor will need to take a bacterial culture from a pustule to confirm a diagnosis. If your scalp appears to be flaking or peeling, try gently brushing your scalp when it’s dry with a soft-bristled brush. Scalp pain that appears suddenly and doesn’t have any other symptoms might be a result of an allergic reaction, particularly a reaction to a new hair product. Some people describe it as the feeling of having your hair combed or brushed aggressively, like a scraping or pulling feeling. By Anna GiorgiGiorgi is a freelance writer with more than 25 years of experience writing health and wellness-related content.
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