Itching of the scalp is an unpleasant phenomenon. Severe discomfort appears when burning and peeling on the back of the head. Often this is associated with allergies, skin ailments, infection with a fungus. Why the back of the head is scratched, is described in the article.
Parasites
This is one of the reasons why the nape of the head itches under the hair. Some insects that feed on epidermal cells are visible to the naked eye. Getting them is very simple:
- through a hug;
- from household items - bedding, clothes, combs.
Some believe that lice are a problem of the poor, but sources of infection are everywhere. People who are homeless can be carriers of the disease, and traveling by public transport can lead to infection. Often epidemics occur in schools, camps, kindergartens. Therefore, if the child has an itching head, you should consider the skin, spreading hair.
Previously, they struggled with lice by shaving their heads and treating with gasoline. And now there are many effective tools, so shaving curls is not required.
Bed bugs are another common reason why the nape of the head itches. Getting out of bed in the morning with bites on the body, the first thing you think is that mosquitoes flew into the window. But the traces of bed bugs that parasitize on the skin have some peculiarity: they are placed in the form of a track. Reproduction of insects is fast. In the morning, blood stains from bites appear on the body.
Of course, cleanliness in the house is important, but this does not give a full guarantee that bedbugs will not appear in the bed. The insect has a size of about 8 millimeters; it is yellow-brown in color. After the absorption of human blood, the color becomes dark red. And when crushed, a characteristic odor arises. Bites can lead to allergies. Still parasites can be carriers of tuberculosis and hepatitis B.
Why does a child scratch his head? Demodecosis is a common cause. The disease is a tick infection of the Demodex species. Insect parasites live on the skin, feed on epidermal cells. Their favorite areas are sebaceous glands and hair follicles. From them ulcers, acne, swelling appear. If the scalp becomes infected, the scalp will itch. Itching is most severe in the evenings and nights, as this small insect is afraid of the light of the sun. The disease develops from stress, depression, excess UV radiation, saunas. Another reason why the back of the head is very itchy is described below.
Seborrhea
Why does the nape of the head scratch under the hair? Severe itching may indicate seborrhea. The skin usually turns red, oily dandruff appears. These symptoms are similar to the manifestations of seborrheic eczema - a type of dermatitis. A lot of viscous thick sebum is released from the inflamed area of the skin, peeling occurs. Hair will fall out a lot. Occlusion of sebaceous glands, the development of pathogenic microorganisms.
There is an ailment:
- due to heredity;
- hormonal disorders;
- chronic ailments;
- chronic fatigue syndrome;
- hormonal imbalance in the body.
To solve the problem allows complex treatment. But he must be prescribed by a dermatologist.
Dry skin
If there are no parasites, why does the back of the head itch? Often this occurs with chronic dryness of the scalp. The constant use of aggressive shampoos that remove sebum, the use of hair dryers lead to irritation. The skin will be dry and flaky. Nippers, stylers, curling irons have a negative effect. Dry skin is one of the reasons why the back of the head under the hair of women is itched.
Tap water may have different qualities. For example, hard water with salts leads to dry scalp, reduced hair quality. It turns out that excessive hygiene is harmful. Dry skin appears with vitamin deficiency, lack of fat. The problem often arises in women who adhere to a strict diet and do not eat fatty foods.
Allergy
Why does the head itch in the back of the head? Often this is associated with allergies - it appears as a response to irritants. Itching occurs from hair dye, styling foams, and varnish. You should observe which new products lead to irritation.
In shampoos, sodium lauryl sulfate is a dangerous component for allergy sufferers. And most hair dyes contain hydrogen peroxide and ammonia.
Dermatomycosis
This is another common reason why the back of the head is scratched. This is a fungal infection that comes from cats and dogs. And from a person an ailment passes through towels and shoes. Especially often this happens at elevated temperature and humidity - in the sauna, shower, pool.
The disease not only develops on the hair, but also affects the feet, face, body. The symptoms include uneven red spots. Dermatomycosis usually appears in children. Painful nodules, like boils, appear under the hair. Hair breaks and falls out.
Nervous
Why is the nape of the head scratched under the hair? Stress and itching are interconnected. Due to nervous overvoltage, malfunctions in the immune system occur. It is activated and protected from its body cells.
The epidermis of the head is irritated. Follicles are damaged over time, and this leads to alopecia. Stress often causes a problem such as hair loss.
Other reasons
Why does the back of the head constantly scratch if the above reasons are excluded? Some internal diseases lead to itching. Often the problem is related:
- with gastrointestinal diseases;
- vitamin deficiency;
- spasms of the shoulder girdle;
- consequences of chemotherapy.
These are all the main reasons why the back of the head is scratched. Whatever the problem may be, it causes discomfort, therefore, timely treatment is necessary.
Diagnostics
Only a doctor can accurately determine why the nape of the head is very itchy. Treatment is performed only after diagnosis. Diagnosis and therapy is performed by a dermatologist or trichologist.
Do not delay going to a specialist. With the help of modern diagnostic measures, it will be possible to quickly and accurately identify the source of the problem. First, an examination is performed and a medical history is collected. Further diagnostics are:
- blood test for allergenic factors;
- biochemical blood test, hormone test;
- bacteriological studies;
- examination of the organs of the endocrine system, if the etiology of itching is not detected.
Treatment
There are several treatments for itching, depending on the factors that led to it. Treatment to eliminate parasites should be comprehensive: clothes should be treated under high temperature (iron). To remove bedbugs from upholstered furniture, it is treated with a vacuum cleaner and chemical agents are used.
In the treatment of pediculosis, the following medications are used:
- "Plus".
- "Parasidosis."
- Medifox
Since these drugs, which relieve lice, nits, and insect eggs, are considered insecticides, they are used locally. This will prevent harmful effects on the body.
When biting bed bugs, you need to apply ice, vinegar lotions, tincture of propolis or calendula. Pharmacy products are also used: “Fenistil-gel”, “Bepanten”, “Psilo-balm”.
In the treatment of demodicosis, medications with metronidazole are effective. Seborrhea is eliminated with ointments - salicylic, zinc, sulfuric, as well as shampoos - "Friderm", "Sulcerated zinc", "Sebozol". Dry skin is eliminated with moisturizers. If there is a tendency to dryness, hypoallergenic or baby shampoos, balms will be effective.
If the problem is allergy, then you need to identify its source and exclude contact with it. In symptomatic treatment, Suprastin, Loratadin and other antihistamines are used. With dermatomycosis, Mycosoral is effective.
If burning and irritation of the skin appear due to nerves, drugs are needed to eliminate neurosis and tension. These are Tsipramil, Saroten, vitamin complexes for normalizing the nervous system. And when itching is associated with internal ailments, then their systemic treatment is needed.
Folk remedies
In addition to pharmaceuticals for the treatment of itching of the scalp, folk remedies are used:
- Apple vinegar. This product (2 tbsp. L.) Is added to warm boiled water (1/2 l.). The finished solution is distributed over the scalp and left for 5 minutes. After this, the head should be thoroughly rinsed. This method eliminates the itching of the scalp if discomfort is associated with improper care or the use of inappropriate cosmetics. Apple cider vinegar is considered a comprehensive treatment that eliminates seborrhea and pediculosis.
- Onion peel. The product helps to get rid of various hair problems. It is necessary to make a decoction: the husk is separated from 8-10 bulbs, poured with cool water (1 liter). The mixture is boiled for an hour, and then filtered, used for rinsing. Procedures can be performed after each shampoo. Itching is eliminated after 3 procedures.
- Tar. This remedy eliminates irritation on the head, so it includes recipes for the treatment of various hair problems. A mask will help eliminate itching. Soft tar (10 g) and castor oil (30 g) are added to vodka (1/2 tbsp.). The composition is mixed until homogeneous and applied to the scalp. Cellophane and a woolen scarf will help strengthen the healing effect. The procedure lasts 2 hours, and then the mask is washed off with warm water and a drop of shampoo.
- Pulp of apples. With dermatitis and seborrhea, an apple mask will help eliminate itching. You need to grate 2 large fruits. Puree is spread on the hair, and then comb it with a small comb. The mask is kept for up to 30 minutes, after which it is washed off.
- Dandelions and lemon. To do this, prepare a mask. A handful of flowers are dipped in 50 ml of vodka. Add vinegar and lemon juice (½ tbsp. L.). The tool is infused for 14 days, and then daily you need to lubricate the scalp.
Diet
If itching is associated with vitamin deficiency, diabetes mellitus or allergies, then special nutrition should be followed. This affects the condition of the scalp and hair. Frequent use of harmful products leads to a deterioration of the epidermis, peeling, itching, dryness. Restore the normal functioning of the sebaceous glands will allow food:
- The diet should be dairy products.
- It is necessary to drink more liquid - 1.5-2 liters per day. It is allowed to add lemon juice, ginger, a little honey to the water.
- It is important to give up sweets, salty, fatty foods.
- Every day, you should eat nuts, eggs, liver, boiled poultry, low-fat fish.
- The diet should be rich in fiber. There is a lot of it in buckwheat and oatmeal, pistachios, beets, cabbage, vegetables.
- Pharmacy vitamins A, E, groups B, C, as well as iodine, calcium are also useful.
With parasites, skin ailments, fungus, proper nutrition accelerates recovery.
Prevention
In order to prevent the occurrence of itching, you must adhere to simple rules:
- It is important to observe hygiene of the scalp. It consists in regular washing, combing hair.
- You need to use high-quality cosmetic products for hair care and skin cleansing. They should not cause discomfort.
- You should not wash your hair too often and blow dry your hair, as this damages their structure.
- You should comb your hair regularly.
- Useful scalp massage.
- Each season should have its own suitable hat.
- Stress must be avoided.
- Compliance with sleep patterns is required.
- We need healthy physical activity.
- Eat healthy foods.
These simple tips will protect your hair and make it shiny. And the scalp will be healthy. Prevention is much simpler than treatment.
Do not run itchy scalp. It is necessary to identify the real cause, as well as timely treatment. Compliance with hygiene is the main rule in any therapy. Then the discomfort can be eliminated quickly.