Why the head itches a lot, if there are no lice and how to eliminate itching

Shampoo allergy is a common cause of itching

Shampoos, including baby shampoos, contain various chemicals, dyes and fragrances that can aggressively affect the scalp. In children, the skin is more sensitive than in adults, so special hygiene products are made for them.

However, even expensive baby shampoos often cause an allergic reaction in a child, manifested by itchy skin. If the parents recently changed the baby's detergent, and he develops itching, most likely the reason is an allergy to shampoo.

Sometimes the symptoms do not appear immediately, but only after several uses. If you are allergic to a hygiene product, your hands may itch where the shampoo has come into contact.

Nervous system pathologies

It also happens that a person complains that his head is constantly itching, but skin diseases have not been diagnosed, and there are no lice. Few people pay attention to the emotional state of the patient. And in vain. Mental disorders often cause symptoms such as:

• Lethargy.
• Drowsiness.
• Peeling of the skin.
• Redness of certain areas of the epidermis.
• The development of psoriasis.
• Severe itching on the head.

It is important to stay calm, avoid stress and avoid breakdowns. Constant depression heavily burden the body with additional work, with which it cannot always cope, and as a result, side effects appear, which include itching.

Seborrheic dermatitis

If dandruff is found on examination of the head, seborrheic dermatitis may be the cause of the itching. Factors causing pathology:

• violation of hormonal levels in adolescents;
• recent illness;
• taking medications;
• malnutrition and metabolic disorders;
• stress;
• heredity.

With seborrheic dermatitis in a child, the composition or amount of sebum changes. The scalp may become more oily or dry. Some people have oily skin in some places and dry in others. Scientists suggest that the disease is caused by a specific fungus located on the epidermis, but activating under certain conditions.

Parasitic infection of the scalp

Unlike lice, which live on the scalp, there is a parasite that can penetrate the skin. The demodex subcutaneous mite causes the demodectic disease. The parasite lives near the sebaceous glands, and lays eggs in the hair follicles. Signs of the disease:

• itching of the scalp, worse at night;
• ulcers, bumps and pimples in places where parasites accumulate;
• red patches with scaly edges on the head;
• increased hair loss.

In patients, eyelashes and eyebrows may fall out, since the mite also affects some areas on the face. With the disease, the eyelids and nose are also often swollen, there is a feeling of pain in the eyes.

Hairstyle

A casual ponytail or bun can also cause itching.

Hairstyles that are too tight damages the hair follicles and can cause itchy scalp and hair loss.

Natalya Koporeva, dermatovenerologist, medical trichologist, work experience - 21 years

What to do

Stop pulling your hair down as hard as you can.

Fungal infection

There are several types of fungi that can infect the scalp. Ringworm is most common in children.This fungal disease is manifested by the following symptoms:

• round inflamed areas form on the head;
• the skin at the site of inflammation flakes and itches a lot;
• abscesses, which, after opening, become crusty;
• hair in the lesions falls out.

The disease is contagious. It is transmitted from infected people, cats, dogs. Other fungal diseases have similar symptoms.

Shingles

This is a fungal infection, often called ringworm, and can develop on the scalp. Shingles penetrates deep into the hair follicles, causing round spots from hair loss. Over time, these spots increase in size. The skin rash may appear bulging with black dots and jagged edges.

If you have ringworm, you can use over-the-counter antifungals.

Since the infection is deep in the hair follicle, you will need to take oral antifungal medications. Your doctor will need to verify that it is actually shingles. Then he will prescribe effective drugs.

Most of the time, itching on the scalp is not a concern. However, there are times when this can indicate something more serious. See your doctor if:

• Regular shampoos won't rinse your hair
• Itching torments you at night and affects your performance
• Do you see lice or nits in your hair
• Itchy spots are very painful to the touch

You should consult your dermatologist if your scalp is itchy. This should be done even if you think it's just ordinary dandruff. Your dermatologist can examine it and tell you which medications will give you relief.

Good luck! Happy Weekends!

The patient has a very itchy head, there are "sores" that resemble bites, but it turns out that these are not lice. Experts in most of these clinical cases diagnose ringworm. This is a pathology that also occurs due to fungal microorganisms. You can find out more about ringworm here.

The main signs of ringworm are:

• Strong inflammatory process on the epidermis;
• Increased peeling of the skin;
• Partial baldness. In the area of ​​strong inflammatory zones, hair begins to fall out, from the side it seems as if "bald spots" have formed on the head. Their size can reach 10 cm;
• The edges of the resulting wounds are covered with small bubbles. When they burst and the contents of the substance come out, thin crusts begin to form, acquiring a yellow tint.

The disease requires immediate medical advice. You should not delay contacting doctors in order to prevent the development of various complications.

We suggest that you familiarize yourself with How to get rid of lice with vinegar

Psoriasis on the head

The causes of psoriasis are still unknown. Many experts assume that the disease is caused by stress, hereditary factors, poor ecology, low immunity and hormonal imbalance. At the initial stage, the child may develop red spots on the back of the head, causing unpleasant itching.

As the disease progresses, they spread throughout the scalp. A person with psoriasis may also have pink patches on the elbows and knees with small scales of dry skin.

Lack or excess of vitamins and other substances

Lack or excess of various substances in the body affects the condition of the skin, internal organs and functional systems. With a lack of vitamins, the scalp may become dry or too oily. Hormonal disturbances lead to malfunctioning of the sebaceous glands.

Violations of the balance of vitamins and minerals occurs most often due to severe emotional upheaval and poor nutrition.The head will itch in children who are malnourished or eat a lot of fatty and spicy foods. Lack of vitamins and minerals can lead to weakening of the immune system and activation of pathogenic fungi.

Treatment

When the doctor excludes head lice, and the child is scratching his head and there are no lice, the most important thing for parents should be the correct treatment of the condition. To do this, you need to know exactly the cause of the problem and eliminate it.

If the disease is caused by natural causes, the manifestations can be eliminated by simply eliminating the source of irritation, for example, by changing the shampoo or stopping using a hot hairdryer. In the presence of a disease, it is necessary to treat both it and its manifestations.

Diabetes and other endocrine disorders require treatment by an experienced professional and the prescription of special medications. If the condition is provoked by nutritional disorders, the doctor will select the correct menu and, if necessary, conduct a course of vitamins and other means necessary for health.

This internal treatment is combined with local treatment of the affected areas. Dry irritated skin needs moisturizing and softening, seborrhea and lichen is treated with special ointments and shampoos.

If the affected area is caused by specific actions, for example, infection with demodicosis or psoriasis, the treatment should be especially careful and prolonged. The characteristic stain is regularly treated with drugs that the doctor chooses and prescribes. Any self-activity with such diagnoses can aggravate the course of the disease and cause it to spread to other parts of the body.

What to do, how to relieve itching?

In many situations, to relieve itchy skin on the head, it is enough to change the child's hygiene product, daily routine and adjust nutrition. However, some skin conditions require medication. To get rid of the scalp, special shampoos are also used to help relieve inflammation. There are many traditional medicines to eliminate unpleasant symptoms.

Medicines

If the baby is worried about itching for a long time, but the head is clean and without lice, then it is necessary to consult a dermatologist. The doctor, on the basis of examination and special tests, will be able to identify the cause of the problem that has appeared. Treatment of skin diseases is carried out in a comprehensive manner. The table shows an approximate treatment regimen for probable pathologies.

Folk remedies

In folk medicine, there are various recipes that help eliminate itching on the head.They can be used for symptom relief as an adjunct to primary therapy for increased skin irritation and sweating.

Loading ...

Testimonials

Alena, 25 years old: The scalp itched terribly, combed it until it bleeds, wounds and cracks formed. The pharmacy advised shampoo with tar, I used it for about a month, did not notice how I forgot about the burning and itching of the skin. Now I use a regular shampoo, for prevention I make a decoction of onion peel for rinsing.

Vera, 42 years old: I never thought about such a problem until she began to notice that her son often scratches his head. We went to a dermatologist, got tested. As a result, they said that it is necessary to balance the diet, to drink antihistamines. As if it was gone! I advise you to consult a specialist before treating itchy skin!

Zhanna, 28 years old: I am constantly painting, which is probably why I often face the problem of dry skin, itchy head. Hair began to fall out. The apple mask saves. I peel the apple, rub it on a fine grater, put the gruel on the hair, leave it under a towel for 15 minutes, rinse it off with water. The skin does not itch, does not itch. It helps me a lot, maybe someone will come in handy too!