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Some anti-dandruff shampoos have been shown to reduce hair loss, even among people without a scalp condition (Trüeb, 2018). If you’re dealing with an itchy scalp, your healthcare provider or dermatologist can diagnose the underlying cause and recommend treatment options. Some treatment options may include antifungal medications, steroids, and anti-dandruff shampoos fortified with zinc and other anti-inflammatory ingredients. Another fungal infection that can cause itchy scalp and hair loss is the malassezia fungus, which can lead to seborrheic dermatitis and dandruff. Dandruff primarily affects the scalp, while seborrheic dermatitis can also affect other parts of the body.
Itchy Scalp Causes
Lice infestations need to be treated with OTC or prescription shampoos and products that kill lice and nits. You'll also need to carefully wash clothing, blankets, towels, and other items that could have lice on them since they are very contagious. This article will cover scalp conditions that can cause itching, as well as how they are diagnosed and treated.
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Examples include including pimercrolimus (Elidel) and tacrolimus (Protopic). However, the FDA recommended limiting their use in 2006 due to potential cancer risks. Research published in Eplasty shows that scalp massage can increase the thickness of hair, possibly by increasing blood flow or by stimulating hair cells.
Treat hair gently
15 best treatments and products for a dry, itchy scalp 2024 - NBC News
15 best treatments and products for a dry, itchy scalp 2024.
Posted: Thu, 25 Jan 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
It can have several causes, some of which also cause an itchy scalp. It also claims that the product’s targeted action treats the underlying cause of dandruff using its active ingredient, ketoconazole, which is a medication that treats fungal infections. Prescription antifungal creams can treat scalp ringworm, and the hair will regrow after treatment.
What questions should I ask my healthcare provider about scarring alopecia?
The symptoms that accompany an itchy scalp can help individuals and healthcare providers determine the trigger. In turn, this can point the way towards likely treatment options. Seborrheic dermatitis is a chronic skin condition that causes patches of red, flaky, greasy skin. It commonly affects the scalp, where it can also result in dandruff. Scalp pruritus, or an itchy scalp, is a common problem that many people experience at some point during their lifetime.
Alopecia areata is another autoimmune condition affecting the hair, but unlike lichen planopilaris, it doesn’t lead to scarring. Alopecia areata affects about 2% of people and is more common in people with a family history of alopecia areata. The condition causes clearly-defined bald patches on the scalp. For as many as 50% of people who develop the condition, these patches may disappear within a year, but it is common to experience additional episodes of hair loss later (Lepe-b, 2022). When a person scratches an itchy scalp repeatedly or intensely, they can damage their skin and hair follicles. This damage can result in temporary hair loss, bleeding, and scabbing from the scratching.
Who might be affected by scarring alopecia?
For example, allergy medications (antihistamines) and “water pills” (diuretics) can be drying. If the skin on your head dries out along with the rest of your body, it might feel itchy and irritated. Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease caused by an overactive immune system. Psoriasis causes skin cells to be made faster than they can be shed. A red, itchy, and scaly rash on the scalp can be symptoms of psoriasis.
An Attack on Hair Follicles
A dermatologist can provide a proper diagnosis, and select a personalized treatment that will help restore health to you hair and scalp. Baldness is often hereditary, and is activated by a shift in your hormones. Scalp conditions are common and usually not serious, though they can be irritating. Some common conditions of the scalp include adrogenetic alopecia, psoriasis, ringworm, and head lice. Over-the-counter medicated shampoos and topical (on the scalp) antifungal medications as well as calcineurin inhibitors and steroids may be ordered.
In very rare and severe cases, seborrheic dermatitis may result in some hair loss. People can also buy OTC shampoos containing a class of antifungal drug called azoles. A person should ask their pharmacist for advice on how and when to use the shampoo.
Scarring alopecia can affect any part of your body that has hair, but commonly affects the scalp. Visible hair loss due to scarring alopecia can also have emotional and psychological effects. More of an infestation than an infection, scabies are small mites that can cause severe itching. While their bites are usually found between the fingers, they can appear anywhere on your body and cause severe itching that may result in hair loss if it’s on your scalp. Before you can stop the itch, you need to find out what’s causing it. Dermatologist Melissa Piliang, MD, explains common causes and treatments for itchy scalp.
The diagnostician can examine the scalp and gather information on the history of symptoms and oftentimes make a diagnosis. Treatment of lichen planus aims to relieve symptoms (such as itching or pain) with medicated creams or prescription medication. Treatment of seborrheic dermatitis is aimed at helping to decrease visible signs of the disorder and reduce symptoms (such as itching).
The microscopic scabies mite almost always gets passed along by direct, prolonged, skin-to-skin contact with a person who already is infested. A little itch is nothing to be concerned about, but if you can't stop scratching your head, here are some causes of an itchy scalp. “The primary goal here is to seek treatment and help manage your scalp psoriasis to decrease the possibility of hair loss,” says Dr. Warren. As much as possible, allow your hair to air dry because your scalp is already dry from the psoriasis or medicated shampoo.
If there is significant hair loss, it may be due to another cause that might require medical treatment. People may be able to treat mild cases of seborrheic dermatitis using natural home remedies, such as aloe vera and tea tree oil. However, these options should not replace conventional treatments, many of which are over available over the counter. For infants, the symptoms of cradle cap often clear up on their own without medication. If treatment is needed, over-the-counter products will usually work. OTC treatment for infants includes a gentle shampoo applied to the scalp as well as something to loosen the scales, like baby oil, olive oil, or petroleum jelly.
Follow these tips from dermatologists to help style your hair without causing damage. Hair loss is a complicated topic and the role of nutrition in preventing or treating hair loss can be somewhat controversial. Any information you can provide about how quickly the hair loss occurred, along with any family history of baldness, will also be helpful.
In those with mild forms of the disease—involving less than 50% hair loss—treatment may involve interventions to prevent the immune systems’ attack on the hair follicle. Alopecia areata is an autoimmune skin disease, that causes hair loss on the scalp, face, and other areas of the body. Severe scalp psoriasis may require systemic (involving the entire body) treatment using antipsoriatic treatment modalities. Systemic medications for psoriasis include those such as cyclosporine or methotrexate. In women, the hair loss pattern differs; it involves thin hair that is distributed over the entire head and the hairline doesn’t usually recede as it does in men. Women with androgenic alopecia rarely become bald, but rather, develop thinning of the hair.
Typically, the most common types of hair loss are treated with topical or oral medications, which will likely be the first course of treatment. In rare cases, an itchy scalp has no organic cause at all, which is to say, it is accompanied by no other objective medical findings, Dr. Klein explains. It is often triggered or exacerbated by a psychologic or physical stressor and may be a manifestation of an underlying psychiatric issue or chronic pain syndrome. It is usually seen in elderly patients, and the key treatment is low-dose antidepressants, which Dr. Klein says can be life-changing for patients.
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