What Is Scalp Tenderness?
If you’ve ever asked yourself, “Why is my scalp hurting?”, here’s what you need to know. Scalp tenderness is a common complaint associated with many medical conditions. These can include migraines, tension headaches, and autoimmune disorders like psoriasisi A non-communicable autoimmune condition that causes scales and dry, itchy patches of skin to form due to abnormal build-up of skin cells. . Even skin conditions like sunburns, rashes, and wounds can cause the scalp to become tender. A tender scalp can turn itchy. Scratching an irritated or inflamed scalp can cause blisters, sores, or scabs. Other symptoms that surface with scalp tenderness are as follows.
Signs And Symptoms Of Scalp Tenderness
Most often, scalp tenderness does not show any symptoms. In some cases, you may notice that your scalp is:
Unusually painful Peeling Scaling Flaking Numb
Several underlying conditions could be responsible for a tender scalp. Some of the common causes of scalp pain or tenderness are listed below.
Causes Of And Risk Factors For Scalp Tenderness
Scalp tenderness is linked to many health conditions. They include:
Various forms of headaches Rashes Sunburns Lice Psoriasis Insect bites Dandruff Skin cell cancers Lichen planus, a condition that causes the scalp to scale or flake Alopecia areata, a form of hair loss Scalp infections, a condition that causes scalp tenderness and hair loss Androgenic alopecia Trichotillomania
Factors that elevate the risk of this condition include:
Acne Cysts Allergic reactions Infections of the skin or hair follicles Viral diseases like shinglesi A resurgence of the chickenpox virus within the body resulting in a painful rash resembling a streak of blisters. or measlesi A highly contagious viral infection that affects the respiratory tract, resulting in severe fever, inflamed eyes, and rash. Tight hairstyles or use of tight headbands Frequent use of helmets Frequent use of hair dyes Frequent use of hair dryers, curlers, and flat irons
Such scalp conditions require gentle therapy to alleviate the symptoms. To help individuals struggling from this issue, we have summed up the best home remedies – these help treat your tender scalp and even provide relief from the underlying conditions.
Home Remedies To Treat A Tender And Sore Scalp
1. Tea Tree Oil
5-6 drops of tea tree oil 2 teaspoons of jojoba oil
You must do this at least thrice a week. The anti-inflammatory activities of tea tree oil provide instant relief from inflammation . The antimicrobial nature of tea tree oil further helps fight other scalp infections (1).
2. Apple Cider Vinegar
2 tablespoons of raw apple cider vinegar 1 cup of water
Do this 1 to 2 times daily. The strong antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties of apple cider vinegar can ease the symptoms of pain and itchiness associated with a sore scalp (2).
3. Coconut Oil
1-2 tablespoons of virgin coconut oil You can do this 1 to 2 times every week. The moisturizing properties of coconut oil promote scalp health. And the oil’s antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties can prevent infections and scalp inflammation (3), (4).
4. Neem Oil
A handful of neem leaves Water (as required)
You must do this at least once a week. With its powerful anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, neem is another wonderful remedy to treat scalp tenderness and its painful symptoms (5).
5. Aloe Vera
Aloe vera gel (as required) Do this 2 to 3 times in a week. The natural anti-inflammatory and soothing properties of aloe vera gel can work wonders on a sore scalp. Regular use of aloe gel can also help prevent dandruff and other scalp infections (6).
6. Lemon Juice
A few drops of lemon juice You must do this whenever you wash your hair. Lemon juice is acidic and can help restore the lost pH of your scalp. It is also a strong anti-inflammatory agent that can help soothe itchiness, inflammation, and soreness in your scalp (7).
7. Vitamins
You can also combat scalp tenderness with a little modification to your diet. Nutrients like vitamins B, C, and E promote healthy scalp and hair (8). They enhance sebum secretion of the scalp, protect it from free radical damage, and improve circulation. Foods rich in these vitamins include catfish, chicken, wheat germ, peanuts, almonds, citrus fruits, green leafy vegetables, cheese, eggs, and milk. You can also take additional supplements for these vitamins after consulting your health care provider.
8. Baking Soda
1 tablespoon of baking soda Water (as required)
You must do this at least once a week. Baking soda is a strong alkaline agent that helps cleanse and soothe a tender scalp. And its antimicrobial activities prevent further scalp infections (9).
9. Witch Hazel
1 tablespoon of 100% pure witch hazel 2 tablespoons of water
Do this once daily. Witch hazel is one of the most popular home remedies for itchy scalp and their symptoms (10).
10. Sesame Seed Oil
1-2 tablespoons of sesame oil You must do this once a week. Sesame oil contains vitamins B complex and E that promote circulation to the scalp. It also exhibits anti-inflammatory action, thereby healing an irritated and inflamed scalp (11).
11. Jojoba Oil
1-2 tablespoons of jojoba oil You must do this 1 to 2 times per week. The moisturizing and anti-inflammatory properties of the oil heal an inflamed, dry, and itchy scalp (12).
12. Flaxseed Oil
2 tablespoons of cold-pressed flaxseed oil A hot towel
You must do this once a week. Flaxseed oil is packed with omega-3 fatty acids that help moisturize your scalp. It can also help combat inflammation and irritation with its anti-inflammatory effects (13).
13. Eggs
1-2 eggs (depending on your hair length) Shower cap or towel
You must do this at least once a week for the desired results. Egg masks help restore the lost moisture of your scalp and also soothe irritation.
14. Hydrogen Peroxide
1 tablespoon of 3% hydrogen peroxide 2 tablespoons of water
Do this once every alternate day for best results. The antimicrobial activities of hydrogen peroxide can prevent infections of the scalp, thereby helping with dandruff and itchy tender scalp (14).
15. Honey
4 tablespoons of honey 1 tablespoon of warm water
You must do this 1 to 2 times in a week. Given that honey has powerful anti-inflammatory properties, it is no wonder that it works well against scalp tenderness, inflammation, and itching (15). While you allow these remedies to work, you can also follow a standard scalp care routine to prevent future scalp issues. However, if the above remedies fail to provide relief, check out the next section for other treatment options for scalp tenderness.
Treatment Options For Scalp Tenderness
Treatment for scalp tenderness depends on the underlying cause. Here are some methods that help alleviate scalp tenderness:
Essential oils (rosemary and lavender) Medicated washes, shampoos, conditioners, or rinses Topical antiseptics Ointments or creams containing corticosteroids Cold compress Pain relievers Topical antibiotics Antifungal medication
These are the other treatment options for scalp tenderness that you can opt for if home remedies don’t provide you relief. A blogger shares her experience of experiencing pain in her scalp, initially attributing it to the natural hair transition, but later discovering a small bald spot. Talking about natural remedies, she says, “I think I will go back to that as well as use rosemary and tea tree natural oils, and stick to a natural hair care routine (i).” Listed below are a few tips that may help.
Tips To Prevent Scalp Problems
Avoid spending too much time in the sun. Do not use chemicals such as dyes that may cause hair damage. Avoid using devices like blow dryers, flat irons, curlers, etc. Do not share your hair ties, bands, or towels with other individuals. Massage your scalp in a circular motion using your fingertips. Use essential oils of peppermint, eucalyptus, and rosemary for a therapeutic massage. Since essential oils are highly concentrated, dilute them with carriers such as castor oil or olive oil for enhanced benefits. Apply weekly scalp masks with soothing ingredients like lavender oil, chamomile, avocado oil, or tea tree oil. Let down tightly tied hair and allow your scalp to relax.
What are the best foods to eat to treat scalp tenderness? Some foods that are known to keep your scalp and hair healthy include salmon, beef, prunes, green tea, carrots, eggs, brown rice, leafy veggies, oysters, and cottage cheese. Why does my scalp hurt when I touch it? Infections of the hair follicles often result in scalp sensitivity. It can cause your scalp to pain and become sore or warm. How long does it take to heal a sore scalp? With treatment and a few lifestyle changes, your sore and tender scalp will start reverting to its normal condition in as early as a week. If the tenderness does not decrease even after a month of treatment, it is best to seek medical intervention. Why do the nerves on my scalp hurt? Occipital neuralgia, a condition where the nerves running through the scalp are injured or disturbed, may cause the hurt. Strained neck muscles or pinched nerves can cause this condition. It may also result from a neck or head injury (16). When should I be concerned about scalp pain? Immediately consult a doctor if the excruciating pain persists or if you experience any fever or visual symptoms that do not subside within one to two weeks. Why does it hurt when I touch the right side of my head? You may have a migraine, tension headache, or cluster headache if you only experience pain on the right side of your head. What does a brain tumor headache feel like? These headaches could be significantly worse and more painful all over, or they could be more intense on one side of the head. They don’t feel like a regular headache. It is advisable to consult your doctor whenever you develop such headaches and any associated symptoms. The presence of any additional symptoms can frequently aid you and your doctor in determining the gravity of your condition.
Illustration: Home Remedies To Treat Scalp Pain And Tenderness
Check out the following video to understand some of the major causes of your scalp pain and simple solutions to deal with it. It shares some easy tips to help you get relief quickly and effectively.
