10 reasons why your scalp itches. Find out the cause!

The first step is to find out the cause of the scalp itch. Depending on the type of problem, the scalp can be treated both externally and internally.

Take a look at these 10 reasons why your scalp is constantly itchy. We also provide some tips on how to get rid of this nerve-wracking problem.

What happens to your scalp when it itches?

The scalp reacts to stimuli of various kinds. External stimuli are no exception. All the styling products you use are an example. How you wash your hair and what your diet consists of also matter a lot.

Itching is basically the cause of multiple layers forming on the skin.

This problem is often experienced by people with oily skin types who suffer from seborrheic dermatitis. On the other hand, sensitive and dry skin is more prone to contact dermatitis, eczema and allergic reactions to various external factors.

We are looking for the cause of...

Itching of the scalp can be a symptom of several skin diseases. However, in addition, there may be more serious pathological processes in the body.

Perhaps everyone has experienced itching of the scalp at least once in their lives. Most often, it is caused by the simple use of inappropriate shampoo, conditioner or insufficient washing of the hair.

Like the skin of the body, the scalp can suffer from dehydration. Dehydrated skin is dry, tight and itchy. This is especially true in winter.

If you notice white flakes in your hair in addition to itching, it may be an overgrowth of yeast or a mycotic infection. If left untreated, this problem leads to hair loss, which is caused by weakening of the hair follicles.

However, if the burning has become regular and the itching does not go away even after changing hygiene habits, it is time to see a specialist. The best solution is to visit a dermatologist if the problem persists. It is the dermatologist who deals with the health of not only the skin but also its derivatives, i.e. the hair.

10 reasons why the scalp itches

1. Inappropriate cosmetics

When the itching appears, you should first think about the cosmetics you use. Very often, after changing the shampoo, the itching also subsides.

Some shampoos contain substances that accumulate on the surface of the hair and skin. They form an impenetrable film. This prevents the penetration of water and vitamins and also prevents the thorough removal of surface impurities that irritate the skin.

In some cases, shampoo and other products such as conditioner and masks just need to be washed out of the hair more thoroughly.

2. Natural drying

The current trend is for healthy and natural hair. Many women want to have beautiful long hair and know that high temperatures are harmful to hair. For this reason, women are starting to avoid blow drying their hair and prefer natural drying.

They leave their hair wrapped in a damp towel for up to an hour and let their hair dry after unwrapping it. But sometimes, even after a few hours, they still feel that their hair is damp. Especially at the roots in the scalp area where the air penetrates the worst.

However, such a humid environment does not improve the quality of the hair at all. On the contrary, bacteria, mould and yeast multiply in a humid environment, which can cause increased hair fall and breakage in addition to itching.

The best way to care for the health of your hair and scalp is to lightly towel dry your hair after washing. If you need to wrap your hair in a towel, do so for just a few minutes.

When blow-drying, use an attachment that directs the air into the heat beam. Don't forget to use a good quality heat protectant. However, only apply this to the lengths and roots of the hair.

After thoroughly drying your hair, even in the hardest to reach areas, you can still blow dry your hair with cold air. This will cool the hair and reduce damage and the growth of various pathogens on the scalp.

3. Dry shampoo

Dry shampoo is a very good helper for busy women these days. However, if used incorrectly, it can cause you inconvenience.

Dry shampoo should be left in your hair for a few hours at most after application. The worst thing is to leave dry shampoo in your hair during the night or layer it several times.

Improper use of dry shampoo can irritate the scalp, which reacts by forming flakes and itching. A more suitable form is powdered dry shampoo. Unlike spray shampoo, it can be applied more consistently to the roots of the hair, leaving out the scalp.

4. Scalp seborrhoea

A very common reason for itchy scalp is a problem called seborrhea or seborrheic dermatitis. This is a skin disease associated with overactive sebaceous glands.

Healthy skin contains glands that produce a small amount of sebum. They secrete it onto the surface of the skin, where it spreads into a thin film. A lipid barrier is formed, which has a primarily protective function.

In various endocrinological (hormonal) changes, metabolic disorders, weakened immunity and other pathological changes, the sebaceous glands begin to produce excessive amounts of sebum.

In addition to this pathological mechanism, there is also an overgrowth and activity of colonies of the relatively pathogenic fungus of the genus Malassezia. These fungi absorb large quantities of sebum. They convert it into fatty acids, which they secrete on the skin.

The fatty acids are irritating to the skin and cause itching or even burning of the skin.

Symptoms of seborrheic dermatitis of the scalp:

• Itching and burning of the skin
• Inflammation and redness of the skin
• Dry dandruff - occurs when the sebaceous glands become overactive and then clogged. The skin lacks sebaceous secretions and becomes dry and thin.
• Greasy dandruff - the glands secrete large amounts of sebum, which quickly spreads to the scalp. The hair is greasy, bald, the dandruff is large and yellowish.
• Weakening of the hair follicles
• Hair loss and increased brittleness
• Alopecia, i.e. partial balding

With persistent scratching, open wounds form on the skin, which become infected. Painful ulcers and blisters are formed, which are filled with transparent fluid.

Treatment includes antifungal and soothing ointments. Seborrhea can be caused by hormonal or metabolic disorders. Therefore, it is important to diagnose and treat this cause of the disease.

5. Ringworm

If a persistent itch overtakes you suddenly from complete health, the cause may be an infectious disease called shingles. This is a secondary reinfection caused by the herpes virus, specifically the herpes zoster virus.

In primoinfection, i.e. a person's first contact with the virus, the patient develops a known disease - chickenpox. The vast majority of affected children are toddlers around the age of 2. Infection usually occurs in groups, e.g. in kindergarten.

After the blisters have healed, the virus goes dormant. After reactivation, the blisters reappear on the skin and the disease is called shingles or herpes zoster.

Reactivation of the virus can be caused by the following external factors:

• infectious diseases, e.g. colds, flu, etc.
• vitamin deficiency
• injuries or surgery
• reduced immunity due to HIV, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, biological treatment, immunomodulatory treatment...

Shingles is characterized by the appearance, localization and arrangement of blisters. So-called zoster eruptions are numerous blisters, technically called vesicles, which are filled with yellowish, transparent or reddish fluid.

The blisters are arranged in a 'band'. This characteristic formation is caused by the blisters forming along a nerve. The skin around the rash is inflamed, itchy and painful.

Most patients have the rash on the trunk. But there are also forms of the disease where the blisters are on the skin of the face, around the eyes, in the ear or on the scalp.

Treatment consists of taking antiviral drugs. This type of disease is not contagious. If not treated properly, it can cause scarring, ulceration and persistent pain that does not subside even after the blisters have healed.

6. Scalp psoriasis

Psoriasis is one of the inflammatory diseases that can affect the scalp. In this disease, skin cells overgrow. This process produces so-called 'psoriatic plaques'. Plaques are sometimes mistaken for a simple rash.

A natural immunological reaction causes inflammation. Lymphocytes fight the plaques. They release inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, and an inflammatory reaction is triggered. The inflamed skin around the plaques is irritated and red.

This process causes severe itching of the skin. Scratching or simply touching the plaques causes them to rupture. Injured skin is susceptible to secondary infection with bacteria from the environment or transmission from dirty hands.

Psoriasis can occur only on the head, but can also affect other parts of the body. Unfortunately, this disease cannot be cured completely, but its symptoms can be very well alleviated.

Therapy for psoriasis symptoms includes:

• hormone therapy - suitable for more severe forms of psoriasis with very severe itching
• anti-inflammatory ointments - suitable for milder forms or the first stages of the disease
• immunomodulatory drugs - which reduce the intensity of the inflammatory reaction in the skin
• suitable dermatocosmetic products
• physiotherapy

7. Lice

The scourge of all children in collectives. This tiny parasite can cause very unpleasant itching of the scalp. Professionally, the disease is called pediculosis.

Lice live on the hairy part of the head. They attach themselves to the skin, suck and feed on blood. They lay their eggs, called nits, in the hair.

Pediculosis can be contracted anywhere. Infestation is most common in primary schools and kindergartens. Adults are most often infested in spas, saunas, swimming pools, hotels, airplanes, etc.

The disease is highly infectious and spreads very quickly, especially among children. Once pediculosis is detected in one child, it is very important to start preventive measures for all other children and family members.

Symptoms of pediculosis:

• persistent itching of the scalp
• individual bites are visible at first sight between the roots
• visible parasites between the hairs
• glued hair with eggs
• insomnia, nervousness and irritability

Treatment of pediculosis:

• special shampoos and thick combs to comb out lice
• washing, disinfection, changing bed linen, clothes, hats, hair accessories, etc.
• Good hygiene habits

8. Scabies

Scabies is caused by a small round mite called the scabies mite. The female mite burrows into the skin, where it forms narrow tunnels. It lays 1 to 2 eggs in the skin.

It is an infectious disease. It is transmitted from person to person by close and repeated contact with an infected person, for example during sexual contact. Infection can also occur when using the same clothes, towels or bed linen.

The outbreak of the disease occurs after a symptom-free period lasting about 1 to 3 weeks. After that, the first symptom of the disease is an unbearable itching, which is most pronounced at night and in the heat. Rashes and blisters appear on the skin.

The characteristic sites of involvement in adults are the thin skin between the fingers, under the arms, on the wrists, in the elbow sockets, under the breasts, in the groin and around the navel. In children, it occurs in the hairy part of the head.

The treatment consists of applying ointments and creams containing active substances that kill the crustaceans. These products are spread all over the body. In places where the ointment cannot reach, the crustaceans can survive.

9. Fungal infection

Mycosis is one of the most common infectious diseases of the skin and so-called skin derivatives. It involves hair, pubic hair and nails. Mycotic diseases are caused by fungi or micromycetes.

These fungi invade the skin and bind keratin. Keratin is the main building protein of the skin. People are most often affected by fungi of the genus Trichophyton and Microsporum. Trichophyton tonsurans is an infectious fungus whose particles are transmitted from person to person.

Microsporum audouinii is transmitted by infected dogs and cats. Both cause a disease called tinea capitis. It is a dermatophyte infection of the hair shaft and follicles. It typically affects children who become infected by sharing combs, brushes, hats and other objects.

The most susceptible are people with weakened immunity. Examples are diabetics, cancer patients after chemotherapy or radiotherapy, patients treated with corticosteroids, after organ transplantation, etc.

Symptoms of fungal skin disease:

• Itching and peeling of the skin.
• appearance of round deposits with a red ring, pus and white scales
• watery and red scabs to scabs with a golden sheen
• hair loss, sometimes in whole tufts
• brittle hair without shine
• swollen lymph nodes, usually behind the ears

The disease is diagnosed by a dermatologist by microscopic examination of skin scrapings from the affected and inflamed skin margin.

Treatment:

• Antifungal ointments and creams
• tablet antifungals as systemic treatment for mycosis, e.g. griseofulvin
• corticosteroids to suppress the inflammatory reaction of the skin
• shampoos containing zinc pyrithione or ketoconazole, which prevent the spread of mycosis to healthy parts of the skin
• hair removal at the site of the lesion can help to speed healing

10. Allergies

A common cause of itchy skin is allergy. It may be an allergic reaction to ingredients in shampoo or other hair cosmetics. Sometimes food or drug allergies can also occur in the scalp.

Allergies can also arise when using a familiar cosmetic that you have been using for years. The exact mechanism of these allergies is not known, but it is probably a build-up of several toxins.

The state of the immune system, hormonal changes and the overall internal environment of the body are also important factors.

The most allergenic substances are substances such as lavender, citrus and essential oils.

In black hair dye there is an ingredient called para-phenylenediamine. It causes unpleasant allergic reactions that can even cause hair loss.

The allergy most commonly manifests itself in a rash. These are red, raised, tiny rashes that can coalesce into large red areas resembling geographical shapes.

Urticaria is persistently itchy. It is typical that the more the patient scratches, the more severe the itching becomes.

Treatment consists in removing the trigger of the allergy and applying antihistamines, in severe cases corticosteroids.