CAUSES AND TREATMENT FOR TENDER SCALPS
While most tender spots on your scalp are indeed due to bruises or bumps, there are also many other medical scalp problems that could be the source, too. Understanding the causes and treatments for tender scalps can help in identifying and managing the underlying issues effectively.
WHAT IS SCALP TENDERNESS?
A tender scalp can be localised in one single area. It can also be spread around a larger area or even your entire head. This is because there are many causes for tenderness in the skin, and ultimately, your scalp is just skin.
Other symptoms you may experience alongside tenderness can include:
ITCHING
TIGHTNESS
TINGLING
BURNING
While most tender spots on your scalp are indeed due to bruises or bumps, there are also many other medical scalp problems that could be the source, too.
WHAT CAUSES TENDERNESS ON SCALP?
There are many different causes for tenderness on your scalp.
LOCALISED SORENESS
If the tenderness on your scalp is localised in one place, then the causes can include:
- TRAUMA
The most common reason for a single spot of soreness is trauma. The soreness may be caused by a bruise, or by a cut. If you can think back to a moment when you hit your head, or something hit you, then try to simply keep the wound clean and stop prodding it so it can heal.
- PRESSURE ACHES
Frequently wearing helmets, headphones, and other similar equipment can cause soreness. To help this heal, avoid wearing anything on your head until it’s fully healed. You can use a cool compress to reduce any swelling.
- SUNBURNS
The skin on your scalp is the same as the skin anywhere else, and it can get burned. Symptoms of a sunburn on the scalp area include:
- Red skin
- Tightness
- Flaking skin
- Scalp dryness
- Scalp itchiness
- INFLAMMATION
In extreme cases, the dryness and cracking caused by the sunburn can even lead to hair loss. Most mild sunburns, however, won’t get to this point. Instead, keep your scalp out of the sun, use soothing products or cool water only to wash your hair while it’s healing.
- SEASONAL DRYNESS
If you experience dryness, itchiness, and soreness in the scalp area particularly due to hot weather, then this may be a common sign of seasonal dryness. The rest of your skin may be in similar condition, though you’ll notice the itchiness and dryness on your scalp the most if you don’t wear hats.
All-Around or Patchy Pain Areas
On the other hand, if it seems that there are patches of tenderness around your scalp, or alternatively your soreness affects your entire scalp, then you may be dealing with:
- SCALP PSORIASIS
Scalp psoriasis causes severe, localised scalp irritation. The size of the spot can vary, and you may have more than one spot on your head with this condition. It looks like red or purplish lines that are covered in dandruff. They will be itchy, and tender to the touch.
- ATOPIC DERMATITIS
Visual symptoms of atopic dermatitis include redness, inflammation of your scalp’s blood vessels, and cracking or flaking off skin. The most aggressive symptom, however, is scalp itchiness. You’ll need anti-inflammatory medication and other anti-itch treatments to manage the symptoms until it goes away.
- SCALP FOLLICULITIS
This is a very aggravating condition that causes puss-filled blisters to form around each hair root. These infections of the hair follicles are painful to the touch and cause tenderness all around your scalp. You’ll also often experience inflammation, itching and burning, and scalp sensitivity.
- LICHEN PLANOPILARIS
This is an ongoing condition that makes the skin around your scalp red, scaly and itchy. The excess dryness of your scalp can even result in hair loss. If you experience this condition regularly, then it’s important you get hair loss treatment alongside scalp treatment to maintain your hair and scalp health.
- ALLERGIES
An allergic reaction can also affect the scalp. You can be allergic to any number of things, from something in your hat, to your haircare products. You may experience swelling, itchiness, soreness, burning, or even blistering.
SCALP TENDERNESS FROM TIGHT HAIRSTYLES
An allergic reaction can also affect the scalp. You can be allergic to any number of things, from something in your hat, to your haircare products. You may experience swelling, itchiness, soreness, burning, or even blistering.
Top Scalp Care Steps to Prevent Tenderness in the Future
There are many ways that you can prevent scalp pain before it occurs. The best way is to keep your scalp, like any other part of your skin, hydrated and protected from environmental damage like UV or cold damage. If you are susceptible to tender scalp and hair conditions, then you may want to make it a habit to wear a hat outside.
Otherwise, you’ll need to consult from our experienced doctors and get treated for scalp tenderness based on the underlying condition.
What You Can Do If You Have Tender Scalp Hair Loss?
Most who experience scalp tenderness won’t lose their hair, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t happen. In most cases, your hair should grow back without a problem once you heal your scalp. If that’s not the case, then you may be dealing with genetic hair loss like male or female pattern baldness.
If this is the case, don’t worry. All you need to do is treat your tender scalp, and then get in touch with our team for a hair transplant consultation.
Hair transplants are the only truly effective way of returning your hair after irreversible hair loss. Just have a look at our patients gallery to see the great work our team have done in restoring hairlines and thickening thinning hair.
You do need to heal your scalp, first, however. This way your new hair has the healthiest new environment to grow and thrive in.
Get a free consultation with our professional Doctor to restore your hair.
