Painful Scalp When The Hair Moves: Causes And Treatment

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Medical News TodaySubscribeWhat causes a painful scalp when the hair moves?

Medically reviewed by Megan Slomka, MSN, APRN, FNP-C — Written by Danielle Dresden — Updated on June 6, 2024

Causes
Symptoms
Treatment
Contacting a doctor
Summary

Scalp sensitivity and localized pains are common and may worsen when the hair is moved, such as when tying the hair back. Common symptoms of scalp pain include itching and a prickly sensation.

Some people may experience pain in the area when the hair moves, and in some instances, this pain may also persist.

There are many possible treatment options for a painful scalp, and they tend to depend on the cause. Home remedies are sometimes enough to treat the problem. In other cases, however, a trip to the doctor may be necessary.

This article will discuss the causes and treatments associated with a painful scalp when the hair moves.

Causes of scalp pain

A woman with painful scalp when the hair moves touches her head. — A hairstyle or an underlying medical condition may cause pain in the scalp.

Scalp sensitivity or pain is common and can have many causes. These can range from hairstyling choices to underlying infections.

Some conditions that may lead to scalp pain include:

Traction alopecia

Traction alopecia is a type of hair loss due to wearing hair pulled tightly back. People who wear braids, ponytails, cornrows, or weaves are at risk of traction alopecia.

The condition is particularly common in Afro-Carribean hairstyles involving tight braids. People who wear tight hairstyles for work or leisure activities, such as ballet dancers, may also be at an increased risk.

Traction alopecia causes tenderness and stinging of the scalp.

Scalp psoriasis

Psoriasis is an autoimmune condition that causes new skin cells to grow before the body can shed the old ones. The new cells build up on the skin, causing patches.

These patches can occur anywhere on the body. They develop on the scalp in around 50% of people with psoriasis, according to the American Academy of Dermatology.

Scalp psoriasis causes discolored patches, scales, or flaking on the scalp. The patches are very itchy and can become sore. Scratching the patches can worsen them, cause bleeding, or lead to hair loss.

Seborrheic dermatitis

Seborrheic dermatitis is a type of eczema that tends to develop in areas of oily skin. The scalp is oily due to the hair follicles, which makes it vulnerable to seborrheic dermatitis.

This condition is common in adults aged 30 to 60.

Folliculitis

Folliculitis is a common skin condition due to an infection in the hair follicles. This leads to inflammation and discomfort in the affected areas.

This causes small, itchy, and discolored bumps to develop over the skin, which can become crusty and painful.

Allodynia

Allodynia is a condition that causes abnormal pain reactions, such as a sense of discomfort when the hair moves.

Some health conditions can cause allodynia, including fibromyalgia, trigeminal neuralgia, and diabetic neuropathy.

Other causes

Some other possible causes of scalp pain when the hair moves include:

a reaction to shampoos, hair conditioners, or other hair products
heat
styling tools, such as hairbrushes
stress

Symptoms of scalp pain

In general, the symptoms of scalp problems include:

itching
pain
burning
prickling
soreness
tingling

Some conditions that cause a painful scalp also cause other symptoms, such as:

patchy hair loss
discolored patches
flaking
greasy, white or yellow scales on the scalp
small, itchy bumps

Treatments for scalp pain

The key to reducing scalp discomfort is identifying what is causing it. This can sometimes involve trial and error.

When certain hairstyles are causing scalp discomfort, the first step should be to change them. For example, this could involve freeing the hair from tight, pulling hairstyles, such as tight buns or braids.

If a person has scalp psoriasis, doctors may recommend the following treatments:

applying topical lotions
trying medicated shampoos
using scale softeners
taking biologics

For seborrheic dermatitis, treatment can include:

trying over-the-counter (OTC) dandruff shampoo
using a prescription antifungal cream or shampoo
gently cleansing the area with a 2% zinc product
moisturizing the scalp

Possible treatments for scalp folliculitis include:

frequently washing with a regular or antifungal shampoo
applying topical antibiotics or steroids
taking antihistamines
taking acne medications

Making lifestyle changes can also help. Eating a balanced diet, regularly exercising, and getting enough sleep are all good options.

When to contact a doctor

Changing hair products or practices can help reduce scalp discomfort for many people. Trying OTC products can also be useful for scalp pain when the hair moves.

If there is no improvement after a few weeks of these treatments, it can be worth contacting a doctor.

Hair loss could indicate an underlying condition, such as traction alopecia or scalp psoriasis. A person may wish to see a doctor to identify the cause and find appropriate treatment.

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Summary

There are many possible causes of a painful scalp when the hair moves. Finding the most effective treatment depends on what is causing the discomfort.

Several conditions, such as psoriasis, can cause a painful scalp. These conditions usually require medical treatment. In other cases, certain hairstyles may cause discomfort. These are modifiable at home.

People with sensitive scalps should carefully monitor their condition and hair care practices. If home remedies do not help, a doctor can identify the cause and suggest some possible treatment options.

Dermatology
Psoriasis

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

Burroni AG, et al. (2022). Sensitive scalp: An epidemiologic study in patients with hair loss.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9527678/
Hairstyles that pull can lead to hair loss. (n.d.).https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/hair-loss/causes/hairstyles
He Y, et al. (2023). Allodynia.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK537129/
Pulickal JK, et al. (2023).https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470434/
Scalp psoriasis: Overview. (n.d.).https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/psoriasis/treatment/genitals/scalp-overview
Seborrheic dermatitis. (n.d.).https://nationaleczema.org/eczema/types-of-eczema/seborrheic-dermatitis/
Winters RD, et al. (2023). Folliculitis.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK547754

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Medically reviewed by Megan Slomka, MSN, APRN, FNP-C — Written by Danielle Dresden — Updated on June 6, 2024

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