Burning scalp
Introduction - What is a burning scalp?
A burning scalp is an uncomfortable feeling on the scalp that can take on various forms.
It can range from mild itching and scratching to severe pain. The causes are varied, and it is not uncommon for the scalp to be irritated by unsuitable shampoos or cosmetics such as hair dyes. An oversensitive scalp that looks unchanged on the outside and reacts with burning or tingling sensation to light touch or combing is called hair pain (Trichodynia) designated.
The best therapy and treatment for a burning scalp
Treatment for a burning scalp is initially based on the underlying cause. A mild shampoo (e.g. from a pharmacy) and less frequent hair washing can help if the scalp is burning due to dry skin. In addition, there are a number of home remedies to relieve the burning sensation (see below). Is there a special illness such as If shingles (herpes zoster) occur, adequate medical treatment must be provided, here in the form of antiviral drugs and pain therapy. In the case of skin diseases such as neurodermatitis or fungal diseases, treatment with special preparations prescribed by the dermatologist is necessary.
More information about: Treatment of neurodermatitis
These home remedies will help with a burning scalp
If burning and itching are the result of an irritated, dry scalp, there are a number of home remedies available to relieve it. If the scalp is dry, a regimen of olive oil, which is left on the scalp overnight, can help. A mixture of natural yoghurt and honey also has a calming effect against the burning sensation. Birch water and witch hazel water have a calming effect and also prevent dandruff.
Duration of complaints
How long the scalp burns depends on the cause of the discomfort. If the burning sensation is due to irritation of the scalp from shampoos, hair dyes, or water that is too hot, avoiding the trigger will often reduce the pain. If certain nerves in the head area are affected as part of shingles, the burning sensation on the scalp can become chronic. In order to prevent this, a fast, adequate therapy must be initiated. Even in the case of hairache (trichodynia), the abnormal sensations such as burning or tingling are often chronic and should be treated by a doctor.
Causes of a Burning Scalp
Burning scalp can have many causes. It can therefore be helpful to take a closer look at the accompanying discomfort and the skin on the head. Especially in winter, many people suffer from dry skin, which can also affect the scalp. The skin then often looks reddened, flaky and very sensitive to the touch. In addition to a burning sensation, it is not uncommon for the affected areas to scratch or itch. A burning sensation on the scalp is often caused by cosmetics such as overly aggressive hair shampoos or hair dyes. If the burning sensation occurs after switching to a new hair product and if it disappears after stopping use, this suspicion is obvious.
In rarer cases, a burning sensation in the scalp can also be caused by a more serious condition such as shingles (Herpes zoster) to be triggered. Although this usually occurs in a belt-shaped manner on the chest, it can also affect the face and head and is also expressed here as painful, small blisters on a reddened base. An attack on nerves also leads to burning pain in the face or scalp, which can be aggravated by touching such as combing or washing.
In addition, skin diseases such as Neurodermatitis or psoriasis (psoriasis) also affect the scalp and cause burning or itching there. Fungal infections of the scalp (Dermatomycosis) cause the scalp to burn in addition to unpleasant itching. In the case of hair pain (see below), on the other hand, an externally unchanged scalp is characteristic, the typical abnormal sensations in the form of tingling or burning are often accompanied by hair loss.
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Dry scalp also leads to burning scalp
The skin around the hairy head is very sensitive and can easily dry out under certain circumstances. The result is an itchy, burning, and often reddened or flaky scalp. The trigger can e.g. Shampooing too harshly or washing hair too often. Water that is too hot when washing your hair also dries out the scalp, as does heating air or UV radiation and salt water on vacation.
If the scalp is dry, mild shampoos should be used, and daily hair washing should also be avoided. To alleviate the symptoms, e.g. Olive oil can be applied to the scalp overnight, which is carefully washed off the next morning with a mild shampoo.
Find more information: Dry scalp - what to do?
Burning scalp also occurs after hair coloring
Hair dyes contain a range of chemicals which, if they come into contact with the scalp, can cause severe irritation. Hydrogen peroxide, which is required for bleaching and lightening, can severely damage the scalp if the concentration is too high and the exposure time is too long. Pronounced pain in the form of a burning scalp, itching and rash or even chemical burns can occur. Hair colors that are supposed to tint the hair darker also usually contain irritating ingredients such as ammonia, which can sting the scalp. In addition, they often contain active ingredients such as p-phenylenediamine (PPD), which cause contact allergies in some people. This leads to itching, burning, flaking and the development of inflammatory skin changes (eczema).
Burning scalp from stress
Scalp pain in the form of a burning sensation can also be triggered by psychosomatic causes. Stress and overwork in everyday life can trigger or intensify the burning sensation. If the burning sensation occurs mainly in stressful phases of life, this suspicion should be investigated. Relaxation exercises such as yoga or autogenic training can then also bring about a decrease in scalp pain by reducing stress. Before this, however, another cause for the burning pain should be ruled out, this is a so-called exclusion diagnosis.
diagnosis
In some cases, finding the cause of a burning scalp can be quite obvious if the symptoms appear for the first time after dyeing your hair or using a new shampoo. In other cases, or if the symptoms are severe and persist for a long time, a doctor (first a family doctor, possibly a referral to a dermatologist) should be consulted. This can usually draw conclusions about the origin of the complaints through the patient's discussion (anamnesis) and a close look at the scalp. In some cases, e.g. if a fungal disease is suspected, further diagnostics may be necessary. Some flakes of skin can be viewed under the microscope or allergy tests can be carried out.
Concomitant symptoms
The symptoms that accompany the burning scalp depend on the cause of the symptoms. If the burning sensation is caused by irritation of the scalp from shampoos or hair dyes, it is often accompanied by reddening and itching. Dry scalp also often leads to itching, and fine flaking is often noticeable. Is shingles (Herpes zoster) cause, in addition to burning pain, small fluid-filled blisters develop on a reddened base in the area of the face and hairy scalp. The burning scalp has a skin condition like Neurodermatitis other parts of the body are often affected. In addition to the burning sensation, there is often pronounced itching and skin changes such as redness, flaking and small pimples or blisters.
Burning scalp with itching
In addition to a burning sensation in the scalp, itching often occurs in parallel. Both of these can be signs of scalp irritation such as those caused by harsh shampoos or hair dyes. Dry scalp, which can be caused by hot water, heating air or washing hair too often, is also often prone to itching. Itching and burning are also typical symptoms of a contact allergy, as can be triggered by certain hair dyes. Pronounced itching is also characteristic of a fungal attack on the scalp or skin diseases such as neurodermatitis. In conclusion, it can be said that a burning sensation in the scalp is often accompanied by itching, so this symptom is not particularly specific.
Burning scalp with hair loss
The term Trichodynia describes abnormal sensations such as burning or tingling in the scalp area. This phenomenon is often associated with increased hair loss. It is characteristic that the scalp does not show any external changes such as redness, flaking or rashes. A cause has not yet been clearly established; an excessive production of messenger substances that mediate the sensation of pain is suspected (e.g. Substance P). Hair loss can take the form of hereditary hair loss (androgenetic alopecia) or diffuse hair loss (diffuse alopecia) express. The severity of the hair loss often does not correlate with the intensity of the abnormal sensations (burning, tingling). This means that with weak hair loss a strong burning sensation can still occur and vice versa. A psychological component also seems to play a role in the triggering. The treatment thus includes the therapy of hair loss (with special preparations) and, if necessary, psychosomatic treatment.
Burning scalp with headache
A burning sensation in the scalp accompanied by a headache can have several causes. People with chronic tension headaches are more likely to suffer from hairache (trichodynia). This manifests itself in a burning, tingling sensation or pain in the scalp and is often accompanied by hair loss. Patients with hairache are also affected by migraines more than average. The exact relationships have not yet been clarified.
