An itchy scalp and hair loss are common concerns for many women. While these conditions can occur independently, they are often interconnected, with one potentially causing or exacerbating the other. This article explores the various causes of itchy scalp and hair loss in women, along with effective treatments and preventive measures.
It's important to understand that experiencing both an itchy scalp and hair loss suggests that these health issues may have a common cause, or that one may cause the other. Scalp pruritus, or an itchy scalp, is a common problem that many people experience at some point during their lifetime. Often, a person’s hair will regrow after they receive treatment for the underlying cause. Although these conditions can occur independently, there may sometimes be a link between hair loss and scalp itching.
In some cases, scarring on the scalp can cause severe itching, because scar tissue can damage the nerve fibers in the skin. If an individual’s hair loss has led to the formation of scar tissue, this may be causing the itching. When a person scratches an itchy scalp repeatedly or intensely, they can damage their skin and hair follicles. This damage can result in temporary hair loss, bleeding, and scabbing from the scratching. Once the person stops scratching, the hair will usually grow back.
In other cases, such as hereditary hair loss or male and female pattern hair loss, 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.
Several conditions and factors can contribute to both an itchy scalp and hair loss in women.
Read also: Understanding Itchy Scalp
Seborrheic dermatitis, also called seborrheic eczema, is a chronic skin condition that predominantly affects the scalp, damages the hair follicles and hinders hair growth. Hair loss is closely associated with seborrheic dermatitis because increased sebum production can create irritation and inflammation on the scalp, which can cause intense itchiness. Excess sebum production can also cause an imbalance in Malassezia on the skin. Malassezia is a type of naturally-occurring yeast that can cause inflammation and further damage to hair follicles if produced in excess and left untreated.
There is no direct cause of seborrheic dermatitis, as this condition often develops in people who are otherwise healthy. Seborrheic dermatitis has a direct impact on the scalp and the hair follicles’ ability to produce hair naturally. To effectively treat the unpleasant symptoms of this skin condition, the condition itself has to be treated. When seborrheic dermatitis flares up, it can cause increased redness, flaky rashes, and intense itchiness. Seborrheic dermatitis flare-ups can be rather hard to manage. The condition itself is not treatable. Because seborrheic dermatitis is a chronic disease, it is likely to persist as a lifelong condition. Although, the symptoms of this condition are treatable and hair can grow back. The right treatment for each patient will depend on the patient’s lifestyle preferences, specific symptoms, and the severity of their condition.
Dandruff causes a dry, itchy scalp. A person can notice flaking skin throughout the day and after scratching. It’s generally thought that dandruff is the result of overactive oil glands on the scalp. This is why dandruff doesn’t usually develop until the teen years, when an influx of hormones kicks the skin’s oil production up a notch. Some researchers also speculate that dandruff (also called seborrhea) is caused by a yeast infection of the scalp and hair follicles. Besides inflaming the scalp and causing itching, yeast can weaken the hair root and lead to hair loss. Hair loss with dandruff is rare, however. It only occurs when the dandruff is severe and left untreated for long periods of time.
Dandruff can cause hair loss, although this is very rare. Typically, dandruff only causes hair loss if a person goes for extended periods of time without treating it, and scratching the scalp a lot. Treatment options include over-the-counter (OTC) anti-dandruff shampoos, ointments, and creams. A person can also apply natural oils, such as coconut oil, to the scalp before shampooing to help exfoliate the dead skin and flakes from the scalp.
Ringworm is a fungal infection that causes a very itchy red rash in the shape of a ring. Ringworm and other fungal infections can weaken a person’s hair follicles, which can lead to hair loss. Tinea capitis, also known as ringworm of the scalp, is a fungal infection that penetrates deep into the hair shaft, causing itchiness and hair loss. Depending on the type of fungi responsible for the infection, the hair may break off at the scalp’s surface or just above, leaving hair stubs. The infection is highly contagious, is mostly seen in young children, and can also be accompanied by:
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People with ringworm may notice distinct patches of hair loss on the scalp. 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 severe cases, allergic reactions to things like hair dyes can cause an inflamed, itchy scalp and hair loss. In one study published in ISRN Dermatology, researchers found that up to 1 percent of the subjects were allergic to paraphenylendiamine (PPD), a common ingredient found in hair dyes. PPD is capable of causing severe hair loss in sensitive people. Inflammation and itching can also occur on the scalp around bug bites and can look like a rash or allergy.
In most cases, the reactions are mild, and any scalp irritation or inflammation is temporary. However, if the irritation persists, it can damage 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 the chemical paraphenylenediamine, which is an ingredient in many dark hair dyes. Allergy creams or medications can often treat itchiness. If a product causes an allergic reaction, a person should stop using it and switch to a different product or brand.
Folliculitis is an inflammation of the hair follicles. It’s usually caused by staph bacteria or fungi. It can occur on your skin wherever hair grows, including the scalp. The infection can often cause itching and temporary hair loss. In addition to causing small, itchy bumps on the skin, folliculitis that affects the scalp can cause temporary hair loss. With proper treatment, the hair usually grows back. However, in rare cases, the condition can cause permanent hair loss.
Read also: Long Hair and Scalp Health
Lichen planopilaris is an inflammatory scalp condition thought to be due to a faulty immune system. Experts believe lichen planopilaris is the result of a weakened immune system. It tends to occur in young adult women and can produce patches of hair loss along with scalp:
The condition can cause:
The hair loss can be permanent if hair follicles are irreversibly scarred.
Alopecia areata is a condition that can cause all or patches of a person’s hair to fall out. Besides causing scalp itchiness and tingling, alopecia areata can cause tufts of hair to fall out. This can result in circular patches of baldness. It can also lead to scalp itchiness. Although scientists are not sure exactly why alopecia areata occurs, they believe it develops because a person’s immune system mistakenly attacks hair follicles. The condition is thought to arise when the immune system attacks healthy hair follicles. It most often occurs in people who have a family history of other autoimmune diseases, such as type 1 diabetes or rheumatoid arthritis.
Atopic dermatitis is a type of eczema that causes a red rash and itchiness. Although it is not a direct cause of hair loss, atopic dermatitis can lead to excessive scratching, which may cause temporary hair loss. People can treat atopic dermatitis using creams and ointments. A healthcare professional can provide advice on treatment options.
Psoriasis is an autoimmune condition that causes dry, red patches with a covering of silvery scales to form. Psoriasis scales can also develop on the scalp, and often, they can be itchy. According to the National Psoriasis Foundation, about 50 percent of people living with psoriasis develop scalp psoriasis. This condition may cause:
Hair loss might occur if an individual scratches the psoriasis scabs on their scalp, and the scabs fall off. People can develop a treatment plan with a doctor to manage their psoriasis.
Other potential causes of hair loss include:
Treatments vary depending on the cause of the itchiness and hair loss.
Medicated shampoo is the predominant treatment method for seborrheic dermatitis. Because this skin condition mainly affects the scalp, applying a medicated shampoo directly on the area can treat the infection and alleviate the symptoms.
Topical corticosteroids have also proven highly effective for treating seborrheic dermatitis. These medications reduce inflammation, relieve erythema (red patches on the skin) and relieve itchy skin. Some corticosteroids have shown anti-inflammatory effects and antifungal properties.
Calcineurin inhibitor creams are immunomodulating agents known to treat seborrheic dermatitis. ‘Immunomodulating’ means this treatment acts directly on the immune system to reduce skin inflammation. Calcineurin inhibitors block the chemicals that trigger inflammation and cause redness and itchiness.
There are several at-home or natural remedies to treat conditions that cause itchiness and hair loss.
Most baldness is caused by genetics (male-pattern baldness and female-pattern baldness). There are several possible ways to help prevent hair loss, such as:
Not every itchy scalp with hair loss needs medical treatment. Here are some things you can do yourself to ensure that your scalp and hair stay healthy.
One caveat: Don’t take these nutrients in supplement form unless you know you have a deficiency. According to research published in Dermatology Practical and Conceptual, there’s no good scientific evidence showing these supplements prevent hair loss if you already have adequate amounts in your body. What’s more, over-supplementation can actually cause hair loss.
A person should contact a healthcare professional if they experience any of the following:
Individuals should contact a healthcare professional prior to using any hair loss or scalp treatment.
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