Pain or burning on the scalp
There are several causes for a sore scalp: The technical term for scalp pain is trichodynia. Trichos stands for “hair“, dynê is the Greek term for pain. Those affected suffer from malperceptions of the scalp, which, unlike headaches, originate directly from the irritated skin and hair roots.
They report about a scalp sensitive to touch, which causes pain and problems especially when combing hair. There are many different forms. Some report tingling or formication, others itching, a feeling of tension or strong, burning pain.
In addition to the above-mentioned complaints, a large number suffer from hair loss and tension headaches.The disease is usually based on psychological complaints. For most of those affected, no pathological changes that could explain the complaints can be found during an examination. Extreme stress leads to muscular tension, so that the thin muscle strands below the scalp also tense.
Due to the increased muscle tone, tiny vessels that supply the scalp and hair roots with blood are squeezed. The result is an insufficient supply of oxygen and nutrients as well as an accumulation of harmful metabolic products, including lactate. The small muscle strands overacidify and partially tear.
In combination with the tension, this leads to a release of numerous messenger substances, which suggest a painful process to the brain. This culminates in additional psychological stress and increasing aggravation of the pain and hair loss. This vicious circle can be broken, however, with relaxation exercises, massages and muscle relaxing drugs.
The drugs inhibit the permanent transmission of signals from nerves to the muscle, which relaxes it. This provides acute relief for the affected person after two to three days. The treatment of the tension and the associated discomfort is thus the first step towards relaxation.
In the long run, however, it makes sense to learn relaxation exercises. This can be done as part of an autogenic training or yoga. If manifest psychological problems are the cause of the painful scalp, a neurologist should also be consulted, as the persistent pain can increasingly aggravate the underlying problem.
More information on this topic: Burning scalp
- Sunburn: If you have been exposed to the sun during the day, your scalp may well be sunburned. In this case, it helps to cool the skin and prevent further exposure to the sun.
- Tightly tied braid: Sometimes the scalp hurts just by wearing a braid that is much too tightly tied. By loosening the braid, the pain subsides on its own.
- Use of new care products: If a new care product is used, it is quite possible that the scalp reacts allergic to contact with the new substance.
In this case the product should not be used any further!
- Inflammation: It is also possible that the scalp is properly inflamed. Signs of inflammation are redness, pain, swelling and heat, and in case of bacterial infection, pus. In this case a dermatologist should be consulted urgently. By taking a sample from the affected skin section, it can be determined whether the infection was caused by bacteria or fungi.
