Painful hair follicles on the scalp with hair loss – Causes and treatments

One of the 22 million dollar questions with hair loss that accompanies a painful scalp is this: Is the condition that is affecting the scalp also causing the hair loss, or is the hair loss affecting the scalp? scalp and hair follicles and therefore causing the pain? I will try to answer this question in the following article.

Painful scalp problems that usually occur before hair loss:  First, I’ll go over some conditions that often occur just before hair begins to fall out, and therefore contribute to or cause hair loss. Any condition that can cause inflammation, scaling, or lumps on the scalp can also cause hair loss. Examples of such conditions are:

Folliculitis or common irritation: Sometimes, over time, we can develop sensitivities to harsh shampoos or hair products. Ingredients like sodium lauryl sulfate (or SLS) are commonly used in these products, but can also be extremely harmful to sensitive individuals. You will usually get a rash or small red bumps for less severe cases and deep red boils for severe cases.

The first treatment for this is to stop exposing the scalp to the irritant. Next, you will need to soothe and heal the scalp because if you don’t, some severe cases will progress to scarring or permanent damage to the follicle. Sometimes dermatologists will prescribe antibiotics in these cases, but here I would use the condition because overuse of this or over-reliance will create future treatment resistance or sometimes contribute to yeast overgrowth (discussed below). I advocate trying natural remedies. first and then become more aggressive if necessary.

Overproduction of the scalp: (The cycle of yeast, sebum and oil): Sometimes the scalp becomes overloaded and produces more oil and sebum. This, in turn, can cause the yeast to overgrow, as the yeast feeds on too much oil. Sometimes yeast is the result of internal yeast overgrowth. Some people can tolerate very few carbohydrates or foods that cause yeast. Other times, yeast is the result of reactions to antibiotics or medications.

Other times, medical issues (genetics, PCOS, adrenal exhaustion, or too much testosterone or cortisol) can cause oil production to go into overdrive and the normal amount of yeast on the scalp to multiply. This will often present with peeling. Sometimes the flakes are yellowish in color and have a more oily texture.

Ringworm or Scalp Infections:Scalp infections (bacteria, ringworm, etc.) can occur for a variety of reasons. Sometimes you’ll find these problems in other areas of your body, and sometimes you won’t. You will often see red patches, swollen blisters, or black dots or patches. This is often accompanied by itching and pain. There are some over-the-counter products for this (many contain the ingredient miconazole), but sometimes you’ll need a prescription from a dermatologist. Also remember that these conditions can be contagious to others, so be aggressive in treating them.

Psoriasis and dandruff: Many people believe that these conditions are caused by a dry and flaky scalp, but often the opposite is true. What usually happens is that there is too much oil and sebum, but the shampoos and products you use are too harsh and too drying. As a result of this dryness, the scalp becomes tight, itchy and flaky. However, the flakes here are often white instead of yellow. There are many over-the-counter shampoos for this, but be careful that the one you’re using doesn’t dry out your scalp or further irritate it. This is a cycle that can be difficult to stop. I often prefer natural ingredients like tea tree oil and others.

Painful hair follicles that occur after hair loss and hair loss: Burning scalp syndrome: Often with telogen effluvium (hair loss), there is a red, pink, or inflamed scalp that can be painful, itchy, tingly, and very tight. Often this is a result of the shedding process rather than a pre-existing problem with the scalp. Many hair follicles are dying at the same time, causing a reaction at the site of this loss. Also, the new growth can often be itchy and tingly.

Some dermatologist will tell you that burning scalp syndrome is psychological, but I disagree. All you need to do is look at the redness on your scalp and you will have a different answer. Once the shedding stops, so should the scalp pain. It is important to do what you can to reduce inflammation and soothe but stimulate the scalp. Again, many natural ingredients are very effective for this (oatmeal, rosemary, chamomile, etc.)