Why is scratching your scalp bad




















When a person scratches an itchy scalp repeatedly or aggressively, they can damage their skin and hair follicles. This damage can result in temporary hair loss, bleeding, and scabbing from the scratching. Once the scratching stops, the hair will usually grow back. In other cases, such as with hereditary hair loss or male and female pattern baldness , hair loss occurs without scalp itching.

In these cases, scratching the scalp may cause damage, but the underlying cause of the hair loss does not relate to the itchiness. Scratching will not affect whether or not a person loses their hair due to hereditary hair loss.

Ringworm is a fungal infection that causes a very itchy red rash to form. Prescription antifungal creams can treat scalp ringworm, and the hair will regrow after treatment. Allergic reactions to hair products can irritate the scalp and hair follicles, resulting in itching. In most cases, the reactions are mild, and any scalp irritation or inflammation is temporary. However, if the irritation persists, it can damage the hair follicles and cause hair loss.

People can have this type of allergic reaction to any product that they use on their hair, including:. A common cause of allergic scalp reactions is a chemical called paraphenylenediamine, which is a component of many black hair dyes.

Allergy creams or medications can often treat the itchiness. If a product causes an allergic reaction, it is important to stop using it and try switching to a different brand if necessary. People may benefit from using gentle products that contain fewer harsh chemicals. Folliculitis is the inflammation of hair follicles. People can get rid of folliculitis by treating the bacterial or fungal infection with antibiotics or antifungal medications respectively. Lichen planopilaris is a condition that causes the scalp to become inflamed.

Piliang recommends trying over-the-counter medicated shampoos containing coal tar or salicylic acid to control scalp psoriasis. He or she can prescribe stronger shampoos and topical cortisone. This is a fungal infection commonly known as ringworm , which can infect the scalp. Tinea capitis extends deep into the hair follicle, causing round patches of hair loss that increase in size over time. The rash may appear raised and with black dots or a stubbly appearance.

The fix: If you have a ringworm infection of the skin , you can use an over-the-counter antifungal formulation to get rid of it. Not so with the scalp.

If you look closely, you can see tiny nits eggs attached to individual hair strands. Most people do this from time to time, usually without even thinking about it. But for some people, scalp picking may be a symptom of dermatillomania. But it does increase your risk of developing folliculitis. This is a common condition that happens when your hair follicles are inflamed. When you pick at your scalp, it can create small open wounds that are vulnerable to infection and folliculitis.

Over time, folliculitis can destroy hair follicles and cause permanent hair loss. Dermatillomania is sometimes referred to as skin-picking disorder or excoriation disorder. Its main symptom is an uncontrollable urge to pick at a certain part of your body. For many, picking provides an intense sensation of relief or satisfaction.

Some people with dermatillomania do it without even realizing it. Over time, picking can lead to open sores and scabbing, which provides more things to pick. The resulting marks can leave you feeling self-conscious or upset, especially if you have little or no hair. Skip to content. Constant scratching can lead to wounds and scabs, further damaging your scalp. The scalp can also become dry as the outer layer of skin becomes weak and lacks moisture.

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