Scalp itchiness of varying intensity is a sensation perceived by many people of both sexes.
Itchiness is a scalp problem that leads those afflicted to scratch their skin and is often associated with pain. Many causes of this illness are recognized, which shouldn’t be underestimated as it may cause hair loss or thinning.
Itchiness may be triggered both by chemical substances used in many cosmetic products and by shampoos. Also not to be underestimated is the toxic effect of pollution in the atmosphere and the depletion of the ozone layer. Itchiness may also be associated with psoriasis, dandruff, seborrhea, folliculitis, dry skin, seborrheic dermatitis, atopic dermatitis, ringworm, scabies, lice and eczema.
Among the various causes that lead to itchiness, dandruff is the most common. Intense itchiness, redness of the skin and hair loss are often associated to greasy dandruff characterized by flakes that remain attached to the scalp thanks to the serum. In dry dandruff the scalp is dry and dehydrated and the cells come away because they cannot adhere to the scalp. This type of dandruff is not associated with itchiness, nor with hair loss or thinning.
The presence of dry skin associated with itchiness (asteatosis) is characterized by the limited presence of water and/or oil on the scalp. In asteatosis, there is an imbalance of the normal hydrolipid equilibrium necessary for proper hair growth. Dry skin with the presence of dry dandruff may cause itchiness and rarely also pain.
Hyperseborrhea blocks the end of the follicle causing skin irritation. Moreover, excess sebum gathers on the scalp, not allowing the skin to breath and resulting in itchiness and in the most complex cases also in seborrheic hair loss.
Seborrheic dermatitis results in inflammation and irritation of the skin with the appearance of cutaneous erythema, an itchy sensation (which leads to scratching, further worsening the condition), folliculitis and hair loss or thinning.
Rubbing the skin results in inflammation of the upper part of the hair follicles, pain and hair loss.
Scalp psoriasis, a hereditary condition, leads to skin irritation and the formation of scabs or off-white flakes without itchiness or hair loss.
Ringworm (tinea capitis), a fungal infection, is characterized by the appearance of one or more scaly or red patches, in which broken, dirty hairs are found that look like they are covered in dust, composed of the fungal spores. It is associated with intense itchiness and strong pain on the scalp.
A definitive, scientifically proven correlation does not exist between itchiness and hair loss, nor between itchiness and scalp pain (trichodynia), nor, lastly, between itchiness and greasy hair.
A notable influence on localized scalp itchiness is attributed to both psychological factors (like anxiety, stress and trauma) and external factors (personal hygiene products, food, chemical agents, cosmetic treatments, etc.).
Correcting these errors can solve the problem only in clinical cases in which scalp itchiness is caused by wrong hygiene habits or cosmetics. For other more serious cases, the cause that produces the itchiness must be removed to get rid of it.
According to whether the problem is seborrhea, dermatitis or dandruff, it is advisable to turn to specific trichological treatments which are able to remove the root cause. Useful remedies to reduce itchiness are sulphur based shampoos, camomile shampoo, nettle shampoo and cortisone cream.
A shedding of hair is considered physiologically normal when hair loss is limited to around one hundred hairs per day. During an individual’s life hair grows, falls out and regrows around twenty times. Each cycle, especially for females, may last up to six years and if hair loss is found within this time frame, it is considered absolutely physiological.
Both men and women of any age may have dry hair. This situation is endured not only as an aesthetic problem, but in time may represent a problem concerning hair health. Dry hair often appears weak, fragile and tends to become brittle and to break.
Dry hair often has split ends and other forms of damage to the shaft.
Greasy hair appears dirty, greasy, oily, shiny and often has an unpleasant odor.
Individuals who have greasy hair often also have other areas of the skin (nose, forehead, chin) that are quite greasy (called “seborrheic” skin).
Scalp pain and irritation (or trichodynia) are pathological conditions that affect both women (in a greater percentage) and men (in a lower percentage). The pain felt on the scalp, spontaneous or caused by treatment, and in particular around the roots of the hair, may be more or less intense, alternating at times between periods of disappearance, associated with burning, tingling or itching.
Trichotillomania is a type of hair loss due to voluntary pulling by the patient which often ends up breaking the hair shaft. In general, the patient twists the hair around a finger.
The gesture is occasional when going to sleep or concentrating on a task, but may become repetitive or obsessive.
A hair follicle is a formation of epidermal origin, anchored in the dermis and consisting of a hair and its sheath.
The formation of hair follicles occurs early. They begin to appear as early as the second month of gestation. These follicles will continue to form for the entire duration of the pregnancy. At birth, the baby will indeed have the entire supply of follicles with which it was genetically equipped and from this moment on, no others will form.
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