What makes hair follicles hurt

Migraines , tension headaches , and autoimmune disorders like psoriasis can all cause the scalp to become inflamed, irritated, and painful. Sunburns, rashes, wounds, and insect bites also commonly cause scalp tenderness. Most cases of scalp tenderness clear up on their own or with medication, but some are signs of an underlying condition. Scalp tenderness is defined as pain, inflammation , tingling, numbness, irritation, itching, throbbing, or sensitivity of the scalp.

Often, many of these symptoms appear together, being linked immune processes in response to a variety of conditions. Some scalp tenderness is caused by conditions affecting the blood vessels, nerves, and tissues below or surrounding the scalp. Often, there are no visible symptoms. Other times, scalp tenderness is painfully obvious, involving peeling, flaking, and scaling of the skin.

The prevalence of scalp tenderness is not known, but the symptoms are considered fairly common. Scalp tenderness can accompany common conditions such as headaches, allergies, psoriasis, eczema , and hair loss. Scalp tenderness is linked with many forms of headaches. In particular, scalp tenderness is linked with headaches involving the nerves that run from the back of the neck to the forehead.

Conditions that cause these nerves to swell or restrict can result in pain that moves throughout the head, neck, and scalp. According to Johns Hopkins University , this pain can appear as hot, intense, electric-like shocks. The scalp becomes so sensitive for some people that even a light touch can be painful.

In others, the scalp goes numb. This form of nerve pain is rare and usually caused by injury or a spontaneously pinched nerve. Headaches involving these nerves are far more common, however. Many of these conditions cause inflammation, pain, tenderness, flaking of the skin, peeling, and can even make the scalp pus or bleed. Dandruff is a common complaint, affecting places of the body where natural oils collect. It can cause red, scaly patches on the scalp. While not a sign of poor hygiene or disease, many people seek treatment out of irritation or embarrassment.

Rarely, dandruff can also be caused by fungal infection or ringworm. Psoriasis of the scalp can also lead to scalp tenderness and flaking or crusting skin. Unlike dandruff, the skin is dry with a silvery sheen. Stress , hormones, dry air, or cold weather can trigger psoriasis. Lichen planus can also cause the scalp to flake or scale.

This condition is also usually brought on by periods of stress or as a side effect of medical treatments. A form of hair loss called alopecia areata can also cause scalp tenderness. In this condition, hair follicles fall out in round clumps from the scalp and sometimes the body. Alopecia areata presents in patches, while alopecia totalis involves the loss of all hair from the head.

Making lifestyle changes can also help. For example, eating a balanced diet, regularly exercising, and getting enough sleep are all good options. For many people, changing hair products or practices can help reduce scalp discomfort.

Trying OTC products can also be useful for scalp pain when the hair moves. If there is no improvement after a few weeks of these treatments, it may be worth seeing a doctor.

Hair loss could indicate an underlying condition, such as traction alopecia or scalp psoriasis. A person may wish to see a doctor to identify the cause and find appropriate treatment. There are many possible causes of a painful scalp when the hair moves. Finding the most effective treatment depends on what is causing the discomfort. Several conditions, such as psoriasis, can cause a painful scalp. These conditions usually require medical treatment. In other cases, it may be certain hairstyles causing the discomfort.

These are modifiable at home. People with a sensitive scalp should carefully monitor their condition and hair care practices. If home remedies do not help, a doctor can identify the cause and suggest some possible treatment options. Seborrheic dermatitis is a skin condition that frequently affects the scalp and upper body. It can form red, scaly patches and is not curable but can…. See pictures of scalp folliculitis and learn about its other symptoms.

We also discuss what causes scalp folliculitis and treatment options, such as…. Scalp tenderness is a common symptom. It may be linked to easily treated issues including sunburns, rashes, and insect bites. Or, it may indicate an…. Allodynia is when pain is experienced despite there being no obvious cause for pain.

It is thought to be related to a range of nerve conditions and…. In order to get rid of this pain, you need to first understand why your scalp hurts so often. So, let us get into the details and look at ways to alleviate the pain. The pain, burning, or tingling sensation that you may experience when you move your hair comes from the nerves on your scalp.

You feel a strong pull on your head. This happens when the blood vessels in the skin of your scalp are inflamed and press the surrounding nerves, causing scalp sensitivity [ 1 ]. Seek immediate medical help if your scalp pain is accompanied by blindness in one or both eyes, jerky movements, unconsciousness, blood or fluid from nose, ears or mouth. If scalp pain is a regular symptom for you, consult your dermatologist to understand if there is an underlying medical condition.

You can self examine by gently brushing your hair to check if there are any flakes or scales. If you notice them, you could be having eczema , psoriasis, or dandruff.

If your scalp pain is due to a headache, a painkiller can relieve the symptoms. Folliculitis [ 5 ] is another inflamed infection of the scalp. Your doctor may prescribe an antibacterial cleanser and an antibiotic to get rid of the infection. If your pain is due to an allergic reaction from a hair care product, the first step is to stop the usage of this product.

Give your hair and scalp some rest. Do not apply any oils or conditioners until the condition subsides.