My Scalp is Itching and Scratching is Causing Hair Loss'

Himanshu

Question: Hiii I have a serious problem of itching and hairfall... Earlier I didn't had too much itching and hairfall but for about a month the Problem is very serious... I have to keep scratching my head because of itching and every time 10-12 hairs are in my hand .... So please suggest some cure and also some simple home remedies....

Answer: Hi, Himanshu. There are a number of itchy scalp conditions which can cause hair loss as the result so it is important that you are diagnosed by a professional in order to get the right treatment.

In most cases the scalp issue is not too drastic and both that and the hair fall can be dealt with fairly easily. However, in some instances the hair loss may become permanent if scarring occurs; this is why getting a personalised diagnosis is so important as first you need to understand precisely which scalp and/or hair loss condition you are being affected by.

Common reasons for an itchy scalp include not washing the hair frequently enough, or having a scalp condition such as psoriasis or seborrhoeic dermatitis. You may want to try washing your hair with a medicated shampoo every day to see if this helps the itching to subside.

It is not unheard of for people with androgenetic alopecia (male pattern baldness) to experience a tingling scalp just before periods of shedding. This is sometimes described as 'itching' and is known as Burning Scalp Syndrome.

This tends to happen as the hair enters the 'resting' phase of the hair growth cycle then, once these old hairs are shed to make room for new growth, this feeling subsides. You mention the problem has been very serious for around one month - the shedding phase tends to last around three months so this could be your answer. If it is, whilst we are not aware of any cure for Burning Scalp Syndrome, there are effective male hair loss treatments that can be personalised to your needs and may help to calm everything down.

The condition which is most concerning here is folliculitus. It is a staph infection of the hair follicles whereby the staphylococcus bacteria cause itchy, pus-filled bumps to develop on the scalp. These bumps are often surrounded by a red, inflamed ring of skin. This inflammation often destroys the follicles below the skin, leading to permanent hair loss from scarring. This type of hair loss is known as cicatricial alopecia. If folliculitus is diagnosed, you would need to speak to your doctor about treatment as this is not something we would be able to help you with. As it is a bacterial infection it is generally treated with a course of antibiotics.

Whilst we highly recommend getting yourself checked out, it may be of comfort to know that the average person loses around 100-150 hairs per day as part of the natural hair growth cycle - which they generally do not even notice. So the 10-12 you notice after scratching your head may have simply shed as normal but, by scratching your head, you have helped them to fall rather than having them remain stuck in your hair until you brushed or washed your hair, or they dropped whilst you walked around.