Contents:
- Medical Video: Dandruff | How To Get Rid Of Dandruff (2018)
- Various causes of itchy scalp
- 1. Allergic reactions
- 2. rarely shampoo
- 3. Dry scalp
- 4. Eczema and psoriasis
- 5. Folliculitis
- 6. Lice
- 7. Fungal infections
- 8. Tie the hair too tight
- 9. Alopecia areata
- 10. Lymphoma
Medical Video: Dandruff | How To Get Rid Of Dandruff (2018)
Ever experienced an itchy scalp? Most people might suspect that dandruff or dirty hair is the mastermind behind this condition. Even though it's not always. Yes, in fact there are various causes of itchy scalp that you may not realize. Then, anything, huh?
Various causes of itchy scalp
Attending an important meeting or having fun chatting with office colleagues, then suddenly the scalp feels itchy? This condition is indeed very disturbing. If it is not scratched, the itching becomes more intense. However, if it is scratched it seems difficult to stop.
A skin specialist from Harvard, Dr. Khalil A. Khatri explained that indeed it would be quite difficult to stop the desire to scratch the scalp - especially when it feels very itchy. Itchy scalp is actually a symptom of a condition that can not only be caused by dandruff.
Well, some of these things can also be the cause of the itchy scalp you experience:
1. Allergic reactions
According to Dr. Joshua Zeichner, skin specialist and head of Cosmetic and Clinical Research at Mount Sinai New York Hospital, hair coloring habits can be a cause of itchy scalp. This starts from the presence of substances in hair dye products that trigger allergies to the scalp.
Aside from hair dyes, any product that you use as hair care may contain various substances that cause allergies to the scalp - ranging from shampoo, conditioner, to hair oil.
If you want to know what products and ingredients cause allergies, skin specialists from Dr. Tsippora Shainhouse, FAAD, as a dermatologist in Beverly Hills, suggested that instead of using many products at once, try one product for a week. The next week you can try other products and see the results.
That way, you can judge which product would cause a negative reaction on your scalp.
2. rarely shampoo
The need for shampooing is actually different. Even so, at least you have to wash 2-3 days. If more than that, all natural oils; dirt; dust; until the product residue will accumulate in the roots and scalp which causes itchy scalp.
In essence, always make sure you regularly shampoo. Because the water and foam produced when shampooing can dissolve excess oil and dirt that sticks to the hair and scalp.
3. Dry scalp
For those of you who have dry hair, maybe you will think shampooing can make the scalp dry. In fact, shampooing actually helps moisturize dry hair. You can use a special range of dry hair treatment with an additional conditioner to moisturize it to the roots of your hair and scalp.
4. Eczema and psoriasis
Itchy scalp can also be caused by inflamed skin conditions due to eczema and psoriasis. Eczema usually affects infants and children with an itchy and scaly scalp. While psoriasis is more common in adults, it is characterized by crusty and reddish skin.
Dr. Zeichner says that this condition arises when your immune system is weak. However, stress, infection, and cold and dry weather also often cause inflammation in the scalp.
5. Folliculitis
If the scalp itches accompanied by the appearance of a lump that looks like a red pimple, this is called folliculitis. This occurs when the hair follicles are inflamed which eventually causes itching on the scalp. When you scratch too hard to make a lump break, pus, blood, or both will come out.
6. Lice
A dermatologist from Stamford Hospital and Yale New Haven Hospital, Dr. Rhonda Q. Klein said that one of the causes of itchy scalp is due to fleas. Yes, head lice can appear in the form of animals or eggs, both of which will trigger an itchy sensation on your scalp.
If this happens, Dr. Rhonda Q. Klein recommends regularly using a flea-relieving shampoo or a shorter haircut. All depends on the severity of the lice in your hair.
7. Fungal infections
One of the fungi on the scalp is malassezia which can cause infection. Fungal infections usually occur when hair care products like shampoo and conditioner do not rinse thoroughly when shampooing. Finally, the rest of the product accumulates on the scalp.
If you feel suspicious that you experience this, you should immediately consult a doctor. Doctors can prescribe antifungal drugs to eradicate fungal infections of the scalp.
8. Tie the hair too tight
Without realizing it, in addition to causing hair loss, the use of hair ties that are too tight turns out to also result in itching on your scalp.
Further explained by Dr. Shainhouse that ties hair too tightly, forms various bonding creations in the hair, binds hair for a long time, and attaches hair extensions will attract hair follicles.
Over time, this can cause problems with scar tissue which leads to hair loss and thinning. On the other hand, too tight a bond to the hair will also make the nerves and muscles around the hair feel attracted to it, making itchy and sore hair.
The solution, as much as possible avoid binding hair too tight and do not use hair ties for long periods of time.
9. Alopecia areata
Alopecia areata is a medical condition characterized by severe hair loss, even resulting in baldness. In cases that are quite serious, small spots and itching will appear that attacks the scalp.
This itching sensation is often the initial sign of alopecia areata. So, if you feel the scalp is very itchy with severe hair loss, be sure to immediately consult this condition with your dermatologist.
10. Lymphoma
In rare cases, itchy scalp can be a sign of lymphoma. This itching due to lymphoma tends to be severe and is usually accompanied by swollen lymph nodes. Both men and women are at risk of experiencing this, especially if they have reached the age of 50 and above.
