
Hello! A couple of days ago I traveled by bus. I had to visit my grandmother.
Next to me was a man who, outwardly, did not look like a model of cleanliness and grooming. Still constantly scratching his head in different places. I sat away from him. You never know, maybe he has lice.
Not necessarily, of course, but it could be one of the causes of itching. Want to know why a person’s head is itching? What are the main reasons for this? In the material below I describe everything in detail.
The content of the article:
7 common causes of scalp itching
There are a lot of causes of itching, which come under suspicion if the head suddenly and severely begins to itch.
However, there are reasons that are more common in the practice of trichologists. They in most cases cause severe itching and irritation of the scalp. To cope with some of them is real and at home.
The first thing that comes to mind if the head is very itchy is that parasites such as lice or ticks have not settled in the hair? Only a dermatologist can completely eliminate the likelihood that a parasitic infection, for example, pediculosis or demodecosis, became the cause of the itch. Alternatively, first, ask someone close to carefully examine your hair at the roots and scalp through a magnifying glass.
Seborrhea - Another frequent culprit in the appearance of irritation on the scalp. Its cause is excessive fat formation and a change in the composition of the sebaceous secretion. Depending on the condition of the skin and the activity of the sebaceous glands, it can be dry, oily or mixed. Very often, seborrhea causes severe peeling of the scalp, which is called dandruff.
To cope with the consequences of seborrheic dermatitis, including irritation and itching, trichologists recommend avoiding nervous stresses, sharp hormonal fluctuations and everything that can weaken the body's immunity, for example, chronic infections and diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.
Allergy to shampoo and other hair care products. Often, the scalp begins to itch strongly after changing the shampoo or hair mask. If the itching appeared suddenly and coincided with the testing of new cosmetics, it is worth trying to return to the old proven shampoo, which did not cause such reactions.
Or try using a neutral baby shampoo that does not contain a substance such as sodium laureth or lauryl sulfate, which is often used as a washing base.If changing the shampoo did not help, and the head is still itching, you should consult a dermatologist, or even better, a trichologist to make a computer diagnosis of the scalp and, possibly, to carry out allergy tests.
Sometimes dehydrated scalp begins to produce more fat to protect itself from negative influences from the outside. Such a skin reaction is mistaken for increased oily roots and use products for oily hair, which further degrease the scalp, deprive it of moisture and make it even drier.
Trichologists recommend washing your hair with special moisturizing shampoos, be sure to use balms, creams and masks for intensive hydration.
Very dry scalp can be very itchy from a lack of vitamins, minerals, unsaturated fatty acids. What products will help cure itching and improve hair, read in this article. We also recommend you a publication on the selection of vitamins for hair, and other materials on seborrhea and itching of the scalp on our website.
Allergy to hair dye - Another reason why the head of girls and women can be very itchy. Most often, allergic reactions are caused by permanent hair dye, which contains ammonia and hydrogen peroxide.
Ammonia-free paints and tinted shampoos have a more gentle effect on the scalp. However, coloring your hair with their help, you are also not immune from allergies. Despite the gentle composition, they can also make the head itch.
Trichologists and hairdressers strongly recommend: before using any hair dye, be sure to do an allergy test, as described in the instructions.
If the head, after staining, itches, you can try special shampoos that neutralize the dye. They recommend washing your hair after washing off the paint. You can buy them in professional stores for hairdressers or beauty salons with a good reputation.
As a rule, such antifungal components as pyroctonolamine, zinc pyrithione, climbazole and others are present in their composition. From natural remedies, tea tree oil, which also helps in the treatment of fungi, can be recommended.
However, it is more effective to sow the fungus and undergo a course of treatment prescribed by a doctor. As a rule, it includes not only shampoos and lotions, but also antifungal drugs, and sometimes means to increase immunity.
Allergy to detergent or rinse aidwith which you wash the bedding can also cause scalp irritation.
Why does the head itch
It's no secret that everything is interconnected in the body, and the disease of one organ immediately affects the condition of others.
So the reasons why the head itches can be different. The most important thing is to understand the symptoms in order to understand the root of the problem.
Causes
Parasites. The first thing that comes to mind when you see a person scratching his head is that he has lice or ticks. These parasites often become a source of itching, especially in children.If you catch yourself on the fact that the head is very itchy, be sure to contact a dermatologist and trichologist to exclude or confirm the diagnosis of pediculosis or demodicosis.
Or as an option, ask relatives to look carefully at the roots of the hair through a magnifying glass: usually parasites are easy to notice with a sufficient increase.
Stress. When the body is in a nervous tension for a long time caused by overstrain, excessive intellectual stress, fear, this condition is often accompanied by itching of the scalp and hair loss.
The head itches with some serious mental disorders: the ongoing itchy sensation only aggravates the situation and worsens not only the physical condition, but also the moral one.
Dry scalp. Owners of dry hair or artificially dried hair often suffer from such a problem. The latter occurs with constant styling with hot appliances (hair dryers, tongs) and long walks in the sun with an unprotected head.
Dry scalp itches right after washing your hair. Due to interaction with water, it dries even more, peeling may begin, a feeling of tightness will appear - not the most pleasant condition.
Allergy. Allergic reactions are often accompanied by itching throughout the body. If the head became the zone of constant scratching, then most likely you are allergic to some remedy that comes into direct contact with it.
This is either a reaction to the dye (not in vain on all packages with dyes it is strongly recommended to test for an allergic reaction before dyeing), or an allergy to shampoo, or another improperly selected hair product.
Most often, shampoo is to blame for the itching sensation that appeared after washing the hair. If you improperly selected the product for your hair type or did not thoroughly wash the conditioner, alas, unpleasant consequences can not be avoided.
Take a close look at the scalp, hair, and shoulders. If during combing your scales “fall off” or oily flakes remain on your hair, this is probably seborrhea. Red or white spots and plaques all over the head, which also itch severely, are a symptom of skin diseases - psoriasis, neurodermatitis or fungal diseases (ringworm, dermatomycosis).
Diseases of the internal organs. The head itches and peels with many diseases when internal processes in the body are disturbed. This is diabetes mellitus, malignant neoplasms, hormonal disorders, heart disease, stomach, even vitamin deficiency.
What to do?
If you are concerned about the constant itching of the scalp, the back of your head itching, hair falling out - all this is a good reason to consult a doctor to find out the cause.
Therefore, if it is impossible to independently understand the reason why the head is itching, and if you suspect that the problem is serious, we recommend that you immediately visit a dermatologist and trichologist.
How to treat
Having identified the cause of the itching, it is necessary to proceed to treatment, which, of course, will be different.
With lice and ticks, no matter how strange it sounds, everything is clear. The doctor prescribes special drugs that destroy parasites. Do not be afraid! Nowadays, it has long been no longer relevant that lice will have to shave your head - this is not at all the case. Modern products perfectly cope with the problem on hair of any length.
When the head itches due to some kind of allergen, it is enough to stop using the wrong product, changing it to a proven or medical one. Itching of the head caused by constant hair coloring will also stop if you reduce the intensity of the procedures.
Of course, each for himself decides what is in the first place for him, and whether it is possible to endure the feeling of a scratching head for the sake of future beauty. However, with a large selection of modern coloring agents with gentle properties, this is not required.
If the head itches from dandruff, then special shampoos will help to cope with the problem. They block the multiplication of the fungus, which causes dandruff, eliminates peeling of the skin, relieves itching, and provides oxygen to the hair follicles.
The provitamin B5, which is part of the composition, has an intensive moisturizing and regenerating effect, restores irritated scalp and stimulates the natural synthesis of collagen and elastin.
Dandruff needs to be treated, and not eliminated for a while! During periods of exacerbation, use medications, and as a preventative measure, you can wash your hair with herbal shampoos with nettle, mint, and birch.
Does the head continue to itch? SOS tools
So you went to the doctor who "pulled to the surface" the cause of itching of the scalp. But the prescribed treatment, unfortunately, does not immediately remove all the symptoms, and the head continues to itch.
Folk remedies will help alleviate the unpleasant state. We offer you the best recipes.
Good helpers are burdock or castor oil. Oils help fight high dryness, save from dandruff and hair loss. Apply a portion of the oil heated in a water bath on the scalp and hair, leave for 30 minutes and rinse thoroughly with shampoo.
Perfectly from an itch rye bread helps. Place the pulp of rye bread in an enameled bowl, pour boiling water and let it brew, add the yolk to the gruel. Rub the resulting mixture and rinse thoroughly, do not use shampoo.
Treatment of itching of the head, like any disease, involves an integrated approach. Preventive measures will help to cope with the problem or even prevent its occurrence:
- The right menu for head comfort includes fresh fruits and vegetables, greens, meat, fish.
- Avoid stresses provoking exacerbation of itching.
- Choose cosmetics according to your hair type.
- Take care of your hair in a timely and competent manner: sometimes the head itches for a very simple reason - the hair is dirty.
Causes of itching of the head
But the body always signals problems with pain, discomfort, itching. One of the unpleasant sensations is an itching of the head. When the skin is unbearably itchy, it is the body's reaction to negatively influencing factors (external and internal).
Why does the head itch? There are many causes of itching - a qualified doctor will help determine the true culprit at the examination. Doctors should be consulted if itching is accompanied by profuse hair loss, the appearance of sores, inflammatory foci and red spots. These are alarm signals that indicate the onset of disease.
Medical problems
An organism is a single complex system where everything is interconnected. A disease of one organ is projected onto another, causing deterioration in its function. And hair is the main indicator of health, they are the first to respond to internal problems. To determine the cause of itching of the head, you should understand the symptoms.
Pediculosis. The first thing that comes to mind when your head is unbearably itchy is whether lice have got there. Such an idea occurs if the itching of the head accompanies the sensation that someone is crawling in the hair.
The louse instantly creeps into the hair. The parasite can settle on eyebrows, eyelashes, beard, mustache. As soon as the insect is on the hairline - it begins a violent activity (reproduction). An individual lives for 25-30 days; during its monthly life, a louse lays 250-300 eggs.
Lice eggs are nits. With the help of sticky, viscous substance (chitin), the nit is firmly attached to the hair shaft near the roots. They are clearly visible on dark curls. Nits grow into adult lice in a week.
Nits are like dandruff. But, unlike dandruff, it is impossible to comb them out - they are firmly glued to the hair shaft. It is more difficult to determine an adult individual - it is colorless and merges with the hair from behind. The louse changes its color after saturation with blood, becoming brown-red.
The causes of itching. When a louse bites through the epidermis, it releases irritating substances. Aggressive substance, getting into the wound, provoke severe itching. In the process of active reproduction by parasites, an unpleasant symptom increases, after a couple of weeks it becomes unbearable. A person combing itchy places injures the skin, causing infection and the appearance of ulcers.
If lice are not removed, the skin is covered with pustular rashes, the hair sticks together. The patient has a fever, and the lymph nodes become inflamed.
What to do. Pediculosis can be cured on its own: in pharmacies a wide selection of medications is presented. The most effective of them: shampoo Veda, Nyx, Permin, Chigiya. The safest, suitable for pregnant women and children are Paranit, Pedilin, Medifoks - these are sparing agents that do not cause irritation (this is important when sores appeared on the head).
How to properly treat the skin:
- Wash hair thoroughly with ordinary shampoo, dry.
- Apply the drug (30-40 ml) with a cotton swab to the hair. The amount of funds varies and depends on the length of the curl.
- After 2-3 minutes, the skin surface is treated.
- Wrap the treated head with foil.
- After 45-50 minutes, the hair is washed with shampoo.
To ease the application of the medicine, use the drug in the form of a spray. Withdrawal should be carried out more than once - re-processing takes place after a week. In this way, adults are destroyed.
To get rid of nits, you need to completely cut the hair or carefully comb them, choosing manually. To facilitate the task, pre-grease the hair with plenty of vegetable oil or vinegar.
The causes of the disease. A skin disease leads to a malfunction of the sebaceous glands (they are located in large numbers on the head).As a result of changes in the composition of sebum, a blockage of the glands occurs, which leads to an abundant reproduction of pathogenic microorganisms - seborrhea (seborrheic eczema) develops.
The culprits of the imbalance of the glands are:
- Heredity.
- Chronic diseases
- Hormonal disorders.
- Problems with the digestive tract.
- Immunodeficiency conditions.
- Pathology of the endocrine system.
- Neurological diseases.
- Long stress, chronic fatigue.
Such conditions at the molecular level affect the change in sebum, making it thick, viscous and increasing the amount (with dry seborrhea, the amount of sebum decreases significantly).
Symptoms of the disease. With seborrhea, a complete violation of metabolic processes occurs, red spots appear on the head. The skin is very itchy, forming crusts. Deprived of natural protection, the skin is attacked by bacteria that readily breed in wounds from scratching. Seborrhea is divided into two types:

The third type of seborrhea is also widespread - mixed, when symptoms of both types of the disease are observed simultaneously. If no action is taken, seborrhea develops into alopecia (global hair loss). And to restore lost hair is already impossible - there are no hair follicles on bald spots. Treatment of seborrhea will be more successful if you start the fight in the first stages of the disease.
How to get rid of itching. Comprehensive measures for the treatment of seborrhea are developed and prescribed by a doctor based on the stage of the disease and the volume of the affected part of the head. Shampoos with antimicrobial components (Keto Plus, Algopiks, Friderm tar, Skin-cap and others) become effective in the treatment of seborrhea of the head.
The following ointment also helps to heal scratching and relieve itching and rash: mix a tablespoon of baby cream, olive oil and juice of golden mustache leaves. To them add tincture of valerian (1 tsp) and mix well. The mass is applied to the head for 1-2 hours.
Diabetic itching of the head. Diabetes is a disease in which normal metabolism of the body is disrupted. Fat and carbohydrate metabolism are most affected. Due to changes in metabolic reactions, toxins accumulate in the human body, which negatively affect the functioning of all organs. They are the culprits of pathological changes in the epidermis.
The causes of itching. The skin is dried out, becomes rough, loses elasticity and reacts with excruciating itching. After combing, cracks and micro-wounds heal for a long time - the ability to regenerate in the epidermis decreases. Due to the malfunctioning of the immune, vascular and nervous systems, fungal and pustular skin diseases develop.
Doctors distinguish two causes of an excruciating swelling state:
- Pathology of the endocrine system. Itching of the head appears due to global metabolic metabolic disorders. The burning sensation appears not only in diabetes - it is noted with menopause, hyperparathyroidism (increased production of parahormone due to thyroid dysfunction) and hypothyroidism (lack of thyroid hormones in the thyroid gland).
- Part of the disease. Itching appears due to deep blockage of small vessels, leading to problems in the functioning of the kidneys. The kidneys can not cope with the removal of toxins, and this ability is disrupted in the skin.As a result, the epidermis lowers moisture and loses elasticity. The result of this condition is intolerable itching and roughness of the skin.
In 99% of cases, diabetics suffer from hair loss on the head, their increased dryness and brittleness, and the appearance of profuse dandruff. Nail plates break, flake. The main reason for this situation is the global lack of nutrients in the body with diabetes.
How to get rid of itching. Manifestations of painful itching require an integrated approach and correctly prescribed treatment. Therapeutic methods are aimed at restoring carbohydrate metabolism. The endocrinologist develops an individual strict diet, excluding fats and carbohydrate-saturated foods from the menu. At the same time, drugs that lower sugar levels are prescribed.
Itching with diabetes does not go away instantly, to relieve painful symptoms, local drugs (ointments, creams or gels) are prescribed. They include antifungal agents and antibiotics. Such drugs have a calming and cooling effect.
Folk remedies (lotions, compresses) with the use of chamomile, sage, mint, and a string help relieve the condition with itching. It helps to take a bath with a decoction of oak bark.
Only strict adherence to all recommendations relieves the patient from excruciating itching of the head and skin.
Nerve itching. The tense atmosphere at home, in the service, long experiences, chronic fatigue become the culprits of numerous diseases in which itching of the skin occurs. The annoying "itchy" companion is often manifested in sensitive individuals, sharply reacting to troubles and not able to restrain emotions.
Reasons for the appearance. The process of the appearance of an unpleasant, sometimes painful syndrome, scientists have studied for a long time. The experiments showed that under the influence of nervous overvoltage in the human mechanism, a complex chain of reactions is launched at the biochemical, immune and physiological levels.
Under stressful conditions, the human brain produces substances that irritate the nerve roots. This provokes vasodilation, the appearance of edema and increased histamine production. Histamine causes allergic reactions and itchy skin.
Stress contributes to a sharp drop in the work of the adrenal glands, which produce hormones with anti-inflammatory effects. This causes redness, swelling and itching of the skin. Acne appears, pustular lesions develop. The itching, caused by shaky nerves, intensifies at night and evening.
With a slight violation of the psychoemotional background, sparing sedatives of plant origin are prescribed. They include mint, hops, lemon balm, valerian, peony and motherwort.
In severe disorders, a psychiatrist is involved in therapy. The doctor uses more powerful sedative drugs (Barboval, Citalopram, Nervoflux, Fluoxetine).
To stop the painful itching of the skin, the patient is recommended to use ointments with glucocorticoids (Alupent, Triacort, Kutiveyt, Dermatol) with the simultaneous use of antihistamines (Gistan, Suprastin, Tavegil, Fenistil). These drugs relieve itchy skin, stop swelling and inflammation.
If there is no way to get to the doctor, and the itching is painful, use the following tips:
- Reduces the itching of rubbing the body and head with cool water with the addition of sea salt or table vinegar.Try not to rub your skin hard.
- Take a cool shower without using a bathing agent (gel, soap).
- Drink a tincture or decoction of herbs with a calming effect (patrinia, lemon balm, motherwort, peony, valerian, mint).
Itching of the head with a nervous shock is an alarming signal of the body to a dangerous situation that has reached a critical level. The nervous system needs additional auxiliary means (own reserves are exhausted). Be careful about such signals and do not hesitate to visit a doctor. Serious diseases are born from nerves!
Due to improper care
The head may also itch for reasons other than pathological in a perfectly healthy person. The reason for this is illiterate care, the wrong choice of funds and the unprofessional work of a hairdresser.
"Dangerous" hairdresser. Professional masters, before starting hair coloring, are sure to make a test for the appearance of a possible allergic reaction. But far from always this happens and the "reward" for frivolity is the appearance of a severe itch, which provokes color. In severe cases, after visiting the hairdresser, the hair dries out and hair falls out.
In dyes, aggressive components are used: peroxide, chemical additives, ammonia. Allergies are even tinted soft shampoos and gentle ammonia-free colors.
If you are faced with such a situation, neutralizing shampoos will help correct the situation. They block the action of irritating components after staining, restoring the previous state of hair. Other salon procedures lead to itching of the head.
Keratin straightening. Keratin helps turn naughty hair into shiny and smooth. But its use has side effects (in some countries, preparations for keratin hair straightening are prohibited).
How does the procedure go? A keratin composition is applied to the hair for 20-30 minutes, after which it additionally acts on curls heated to + 230⁰ C with an iron. Under the influence of heat, the chemical constituents of the preparations penetrate the structure of the hair and straighten the curl.
Formaldehyde vapors, acting on the scalp, cause:
- Headaches.
- Peeling skin.
- Skin irritation, itching.
- Dry skin and dermatitis.
- Tearing and inflammation of the eyes.
What to do. A competent procedure does not have side effects. They appear if you neglect the advice of hairdressers. After the procedure, you can not touch the hair for 2-3 days (curls are not recommended to be washed, combed, disturbed with hairpins, caps). You can not carry out the procedure with a predisposition to allergies, with asthma and during pregnancy.
Escalation. After hair extensions, frequent complaints arise about itching of the head. This is a typical reaction of the body and is due to three factors:
- Severity. The weight of artificial strands reaches 1.5-2 kg. Heavy hair causes itching of the head, given that when washing (from water) they become heavier.
- When building, the capsule of artificial strands is attached close to the roots. When fixing the capsule with hot forceps, hair tension occurs. Inexperienced craftsmen take too large a native lock or attach capsules far from the root of the hair. Because of this, the tension of natural hair is uneven, which irritates the nerve roots and causes itching of the surface of the head.
- The most rare reason is the appearance of allergic reactions to building glue or to keratin.
What to do. After the hair extension procedure, use special shampoos with antipruritic effect for the first week.If the itching does not go away after a week, the hair will have to be removed and seek help from a doctor.
An effective way to combat oily hair and scalp itching is darsonvalization. Darsonval is used in beauty salons and dermatological clinics. With its help, the work of hair follicles, sebaceous glands is normalized. The device has an antipruritic, antimicrobial and regenerative effect, relieves dandruff and stimulates hair growth.
A rash on the skin and itching appear after a sauna, visiting a bath? The reason is the use of unsuitable detergents or infection with parasites or infections. Be careful when visiting public steam rooms, and if an outsider visits your own bathhouse, disinfect the room.
Many women, in pursuit of a thick and luxurious hair, experience a lot of all kinds of advertised means. The glorified nicotinic acid (vitamin PP), which heals the hair, can also cause itching of the head. The reason lies in its effect.
From nicotinic acid, peripheral vessels dilate, which provokes the flow of blood to the roots of the hair. This stimulates the growth of curls, but is also an irritating factor for the epidermis.
If after burdock oil itchy, itchy head - refuse to use the product and replace it. Excellent analogues are olive, mustard, linseed or tea tree oil.
What to do and how to treat itching of the head
Is it possible to get rid of head itching at home? Or rather run to the doctor? What to do if the head itches?
Which doctor to go to. The problem of an itchy head is often ignored, attributing everything to stress and excitement. But you can’t do this categorically! The first thing to do is to identify the true cause of the itch. And it will help to understand the culprits of the problem - a trichologist or a dermatologist.
It should be consulted if itching is a concern for a long time and is accompanied by inflammatory reactions, the appearance of pimples localized in one place, the appearance of pustular wounds, hair loss and fever.
What does the doctor do? After studies that include:
- General analysis of urine and blood.
- Examination of the hormonal background.
- Checking the status of the thyroid gland.
- The study of the correct functioning of the digestive tract.
The doctor determines the cause of the problem and develops an individual treatment plan. If necessary, refer the patient to a neurologist or psychotherapist. As an auxiliary therapy, traditional medicine methods will help.
Before self-medicating, be sure to consult your doctor.
Folk remedies
Vinegar. The best antipruritic is regular table vinegar. It is better to use apple cider vinegar, in addition to itching, it will also have a beneficial effect on the condition of the scalp and hair.
Oatmeal. Oatmeal mask is an excellent folk remedy for hair loss and itching of the scalp. Soak ¼ cup oatmeal flakes and leave for 10-15 minutes to swell. Then mix well and filter. Add to it the esters of rosemary and lavender oils (3-4 drops each). Put the mass on the head and leave for 20-25 minutes.
Lemon. An excellent antipruritic is lemon juice. It should be diluted with water (3-4 tablespoons 200 ml of water) and rinse the head after washing. Lemon eliminates not only itching, it fights against dandruff and adds density and shine to curls.
Tea tree oil (essential). Oily aromatic substance copes well with treating the head for itching. Add ether (4-5 drops) to a glass of warm water and rinse your hair with the product. After 10-15 minutes, rinse your head with clean water.
Apple puree. Rub a large apple and apply apple gruel on the hair, distributing the mass along the entire length of the curls. Wrap your head in warm cloth and rest for half an hour. Wash off the mask with warm water and repeat on the second day.
Preventative measures
In addition to using folk recipes, do not forget about the rules of personal hygiene: keep your hair clean, use only individual personal items (comb, towel). This is especially true for trips to the public sauna. After the bath (especially in the cold season), put on a warm hat that covers your forehead and ears.
Strengthen the immune system! Make friends with sports, swimming, morning run. Give up bad habits and consume too much coffee. A balanced diet with lots of vegetables, fruits, herbs, fish and meat will help maintain the condition of the hair and scalp in good order.
Is itching of the head a dangerous symptom or a harmless phenomenon?
The scalp is very sensitive and tender. Any, even minor effect of an external stimulus provokes a lot of unpleasant sensations and makes you comb your head again and again.
Do not put off the problem and hope that everything goes away by itself. It is necessary to timely identify the reasons why the scalp is itching, to eliminate the irritant or negative factor, in order to prevent the appearance of other symptoms and more dangerous manifestations that develop into certain diseases.
It is especially wary to treat the itching of the scalp when it bothers against the background of profuse hair loss, redness of the skin, severe peeling or the formation of wet sores.
With a slight manifestation of itching, you can try to cope with the unpleasant phenomenon on your own. But if the attempts did not bring relief, and the head still itches, and the discomfort gives a lot of discomfort, then you should immediately seek qualified help. Ideally, make an appointment with a dermatologist or trichologist.
Only a doctor can determine the root cause of itching, and give recommendations for its treatment. By the way, he will answer - why the body itches. In 90 percent of cases, itching can be cured at home. The main thing is to identify and eliminate the irritant. After that, the itching subsides or completely disappears.
Causes of itching
Seborrhea, lichen, allergy to shampoo, hormonal disruptions, stress and severe nervous strain, a sedentary lifestyle, fungal infections of the epidermis are far from a complete list of reasons that cause a desire to scratch oneself. There are many other factors that provoke itchy sensations on the head:
Do not think that dandruff is a harmless phenomenon that does not require treatment. Dandruff is the same disease as a runny nose or osteochondrosis, so treatment should be approached more than responsibly. In the next article, we will talk in detail about how to get rid of dandruff.
Seborrhea. It arises as a result of violations in the sebaceous glands. With their reduced activity, we are talking about dry seborrhea. With increased activity - about oily, which provokes an abundant separation of sebum. The most common signs of seborrhea: excessively oily or dry scalp, dandruff, peeling, acne.
Allergycaused by cosmetic preparations. For many people, the head begins to itch when changing shampoo, conditioner or other hair care products. My head began to itch right after a change of such funds?
Changed the shampoo, and still want to scratch your head to exhaustion? Consult a doctor and do not self-medicate.
Very often, allergies result from the use of hair dye. As a rule, we are talking about ammonia products containing hydrogen peroxide. They are the "culprits" of allergies and itching. To save yourself from unpleasant problems, you should opt for ammonia-free paints or tinted shampoos.
Alas, no one is safe from allergies. Therefore, before using any cosmetics, it is recommended to conduct an allergy test. After the test, did the scalp turn red or itch? It is worth abandoning the use of such liquids and mixtures.
They have a negative effect not only on the epidermis, but also on the structure of the hair, overdrying and thinning it. Do not abuse the use of such devices. Take breaks and do not use “good helpers” at least 2-3 days a week. In case of burning or itching, immediately refuse to use them.
Fungal skin lesions. Itching is often caused by fungal diseases of the scalp. If you suspect a fungus, it is imperative to go to the hospital and pass the appropriate crops.
The results of the examination will help to diagnose and prescribe adequate treatment. Medical shampoos and balms, antifungal agents (Miconazole, Clotrimazole, etc.), as well as proper hygiene, contribute to the solution of the problem.
It will not be superfluous to take immunostimulating drugs, which will have a general strengthening effect and help to quickly get rid of fungal infections.
Stress. Scientists have proven that scalp can itch not only as a result of physical exposure to the stimulus. Stressful situations (psychological disorders, severe emotional stress, psychological pressure, etc.) can act as a source of an unpleasant phenomenon.
During stress, the human body produces too much adrenaline. It is excreted from the human body only during strong physical activity. Does a person lead a sedentary lifestyle? Result on the face: adrenaline accumulates in the blood and leads to the appearance of strong and unpleasant itching sensations. In the next article we will tell you how to get rid of stress.
Dry skin. Violations of the sebaceous glands provoke excessive dryness of the hair and epidermis.As a result: the hair is strongly electrified, broken, and the skin on the head begins to scratch intensely. In some situations, the body reacts to a similar phenomenon by abundant secretion of sebum. At the same time, a person begins to actively struggle with oily hair with drying agents, further exacerbating the situation and overdrying the skin.
If the scalp is dry, it is worth buying pharmacy moisturizers. The attending physician will tell you exactly which shampoos, creams and balms will help get rid of discomfort.
Lichen. A common, contagious skin disease that quickly spreads from person to person or from animal to person. It has a fungal nature and is most often found in children and adolescents. Direct contact with a sick animal (cat, dog) or a sick person leads to the disease.
The main manifestation of lichen is the appearance of red spots on the scalp, in the places of distribution of which the hair breaks off or completely falls out. In addition to unpleasant sensations, lichen provides a lot of aesthetic inconvenience, since the lesion sites are unattractive.
Muscle strain. May be responsible for itchy scalp. Violations of blood circulation in the neck, shoulders and back lead to congestion and, as a result, provoke itchy sensations in this area (including on the head).
It is he who will be able to prescribe intensively acting drugs, the use of which will help relieve muscle tension, relax the fibers and neutralize unpleasant sensations.
Drug treatment
As already noted, the desire to scratch your head in most cases arises not as an independent phenomenon, but as a manifestation of a certain disease or deviation in the body's work.
To quickly and permanently forget about a problem, it is worth identifying its root cause. This can be done by a dermatologist or trichologist after a comprehensive examination. He will prescribe adequate therapy, which will help in each case.
So, with seborrhea, the patient will most likely be recommended:
- special diet (expanding the diet with vegetables and fruits rich in vitamins, fish, lean meats, etc.);
- stress minimization (read the article on stress prevention);
- observing the regime of the day (without prejudice to night sleep);
- normalization of the hormonal background (in some cases, it is problems with hormones that can provoke seborrheic dermatitis).
Excessively dry scalp will help moisturize with special super moisturizing care products, which, among other things, have a softening effect and improve blood microcirculation. Equally important is the use of enough clean drinking water to prevent dehydration and overdrying of the skin.
For fungal infections of the scalp, the use of drugs such as Clotrimazole or Griseofulvin is effective. Ketoconazole medical shampoo or other shampoos containing a substance such as selenium sulfide are suitable for washing hair.
If it is not possible to see a doctor, then at home you can use antifungal medications containing: pyroctonolamine, zinc pyrithione. Funds of this composition can be purchased at most pharmacies.
What does traditional medicine advise
Massage - A faithful assistant in the fight against the desire to scratch his head.Massage will improve blood circulation and help relieve an unpleasant symptom quickly and painlessly.
Decoctions of herbs. Not bad proved themselves in the fight against an unpleasant phenomenon. Oak bark, chamomile, nettle are sold in the nearest pharmacy and cost a penny. Used as a rinse after shampooing. By the way, do not forget about the rules of shampooing.
Onion and garlic juice. The acids and sulfur contained in them help to forget forever about peeling of the skin, dandruff and itchy sensations on the head. How to use? Mix fresh garlic juice or onion juice with lemon juice (in a 1: 1 ratio) and add a little oil.
The ideal option is olive. The resulting mixture is applied to wet hair and scalp for 30 minutes. After that it is washed off with warm water. If desired, you can add a few drops of lemon juice to the water or? teaspoon of citric acid.
Apple mask. Allows you to quickly and effectively eliminate itching. To do this, an average-sized apple is ground on a grater and applied to the hair and scalp. After this, the head should be wrapped in a warm terry towel for 30 minutes. The mixture is washed off with warm water with a small amount of shampoo. To achieve the best effect, the procedure should be carried out at least 2 times a week.
If it was not possible to completely eliminate or at least reduce itching with the help of folk remedies, it is recommended to make an appointment with a dermatologist or trichologist to exclude the presence of more serious skin diseases.
Prevention
Any disease is easier to prevent than to cure - a truth that has been proven over the years. In order to never encounter such an unpleasant symptom as itching of the head, it is enough to follow elementary recommendations:
- use high-quality shampoos, balms and lotions that do not contain harmful allergen components to wash your hair;
- use personal styling devices (comb, hairpins, curling irons, stylers, etc.);
- when visiting hairdressers and salons, control the processing of the tool;
- lead an active lifestyle, eat right and give up bad habits;
- Do not self-medicate.
Why does the head itch if there are no lice?
Allergy. There is a wide range to consider. In general, hair reacts strongly to all changes in your body, and scalp too. If the head itches from shampoo or after dyeing hair, perhaps the body says that it does not like the components of shampoo, paint, and other household chemicals (when painting, use special shampoos that neutralize the dye in paints, then ammonia and hydrogen will not harm you so much) .
Sometimes it happens that the skin is very dehydrated, and then measures are taken against oily skin, which dries it even more. Instead, it is advised to use moisturizers, masks, and more. Then everything will go back to normal.
There may also be a simple shortage of certain vitamins and minerals, the lack of which can be compensated for by the massive eating of fruits and vegetables or buy a complex of vitamins. And sometimes they ask why the head of the head itches, a fairly common question. All for the same reason.
Fungal diseases (dermatomycosis).. They arise due to fungi that enter the body, and can spread throughout the body through the blood vessels, etc. If immunity is reduced, it will be more difficult to treat and resist it.
In order for a fungal disease to generally develop to a harmful state (since fungi are in our body both beneficial and harmful, and the latter sleep for the time being), several concomitant factors are needed: poor immunity, endocrine system diseases, and skin integrity high temperature and humidity.
Sometimes there is a sensation when the whole body and head itch. It is necessary to undergo a full examination, because the spectrum of possible diseases is too wide: from infectious and endocrine to psychological and hematological.
leave a comment