Introduction – What is a burning scalp?
Burning scalp is an unpleasant feeling on the scalp, which can take on different forms. It can take the form of slight itching and scratching to severe pain. The causes are manifold, not infrequently the scalp is irritated by unsuitable shampoos or cosmetics such as hair dyes. A hypersensitive scalp which appears externally unchanged and already reacts to light touching or combing with burning or tingling is called hair pain (trichodynia).
The best therapy and treatment for burning scalp
The treatment of burning scalp depends first on the underlying cause. For burning scalp, which is caused by dry skin, a mild shampoo (e.g. from the pharmacy) and a less frequent hair wash can help. In addition, there are a number of household remedies for the relief of burning skin (see below).
If there is a special disease such as shingles (herpes zoster), adequate medical treatment is required, in this case in the form of antiviral drugs and pain therapy. Also in the case of skin diseases such as neurodermatitis or fungal diseases, treatment with special preparations prescribed by a dermatologist is necessary. More information about : Neurodermatitis treatmentIf a burning and itching sensation is due to an irritated, dry scalp, there are a number of home remedies available to relieve it.
If the scalp is dry, a cure with olive oil can help. Leave it on the scalp overnight. A mixture of natural yoghurt and honey also has a calming effect against burning. Birch water and witch hazel water have a calming effect and also help against dandruff.
Duration of complaints
How long a burning of the scalp lasts depends on the cause of the discomfort. If the burning sensation is due to irritation of the scalp caused by shampoos, hair dyes or excessively hot water, the pain is often reduced by avoiding the triggers. If certain nerves in the head area are affected in the context of shingles, the burning sensation on the scalp can become chronic. In order to prevent this, a quick and adequate therapy must be initiated. Also in the case of hair pain (trichodynia), the sensations such as burning or tingling are often chronic and should be treated by a doctor.
Causes of a burning scalp
A burning of the scalp can have many causes. Therefore it can be helpful to take a closer look at the accompanying complaints 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 appears reddened, flaky and is very sensitive to touch. In addition to a burning sensation, scratching or itching of the affected areas is not uncommon. Burning of the scalp is also often caused by cosmetics such as excessively aggressive hair shampoos or hair dyes.
If the burning sensation occurs after switching to a new hair product and disappears after stopping the application, this is an obvious suspicion. In rare cases, a burning sensation of the scalp can also be caused by a more serious disease like shingles (herpes zoster). Although it usually occurs in a girdle-like form on the chest, it can also affect the face and head and is also manifested here by painful, small blisters on a reddened background.
An infestation of nerves also causes burning pains in the face or scalp, which can be intensified by touching them, such as when combing or washing. In addition, skin diseases such as neurodermatitis or psoriasis can also affect the scalp and lead to burning or itching. More rarely, a fungal infection of the scalp (dermatomycosis) can cause a burning sensation in addition to an unpleasant itching.
Hair pain (see below), on the other hand, is characterized by an externally unchanged scalp, and the typical sensations in the form of tingling or burning are often accompanied by hair loss. The skin in the area of the hairy head is very sensitive and can easily dry out under certain circumstances. The result is an itchy, burning and often reddened or scaly scalp.
The trigger can be e.g. a too aggressive shampoo or washing the hair too often. Too hot water during hair washing additionally dries out the scalp, as well as heated air or UV radiation and salt water on holiday. If the scalp is dry, mild shampoos should be used and daily hair washing should be avoided.
To alleviate the discomfort, olive oil can be applied to the scalp overnight, for example, which is then carefully washed off the next morning with a mild shampoo. Find out more information: Dry scalp – What to do? hair dyes contain a selection of chemicals that can irritate the scalp if they come into contact with it.
Hydrogen peroxide, which is needed for bleaching and lightening, can cause severe damage to the scalp if used in too high a concentration and for too long. This can lead to pronounced pain in the form of burning scalp, itching and rashes or even burns. Hair dyes that are supposed to tone the hair darker also usually contain irritating ingredients such as ammonia, which can burn the scalp.
They also often contain active ingredients such as p-phenylenediamine (PPD), which trigger contact allergies in some people. As a result, itching, burning, scaling and the development of an inflammatory skin change (eczema) occur. Scalp pain in the form of a burning sensation can also be triggered by psychosomatic causes.
Stress and an overload 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 reduce the headache by reducing stress. However, another cause for the burning pain should first be excluded, it is a so-called exclusion diagnosis.
