Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCausesSymptomsTreatmentMinimizing or Stopping It
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Causes
Symptoms
Treatment
Minimizing or Stopping It
Skin conditions, infections, parasites like lice, and other factors can cause scalp pruritus (itchiness). Some conditions can cause an itchy scalp and hair loss, such astinea capitis(scalp ringworm). Too much scratching of an itchy scalp can also cause damage leading to hair loss.
This article will discuss the causes, confirmation, andtreatment of itchy scalp, hair loss, and ways to minimize itching and shedding.
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What Causes Hair Loss and Itchy Scalp?
Hair loss and itchy scalp both have a variety of causes, some of which can overlap.
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Hair Loss Causes
Hair grows in a cycle with three phases:
An interruption to this cycle or damage to the hair follicle can cause hair to fall out faster than it regenerates, leading to bare patches or thinning.
Some causes of hair loss include:
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Itchy Scalp Causes
Many things can cause the scalp to itch, including:
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The Link Between Hair Loss and Itchy Scalp
Hair loss and scalp itch overlap in a number of ways.
Some conditions, such as tinea capitis/scalp ringworm, cicatricial/scarring alopecia, andscalp psoriasis, can have both itching and hair loss as symptoms.
Conditions that cause scalp itch can indirectly lead to hair loss if there is excessive rubbing or scratching of thescalp, leading to damage or hair breakage.
Conversely, some people with non-scarring alopecias, such as alopecia areata and androgenetic alopecia, experience itching or burning preceding the development of new patches of hair loss.
Comorbidity (co-occurrence of another conditon) can also be a factor. For example, people who have androgenetic alopecia often also have seborrheic dermatitis.
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Hair loss can’t always be prevented. Some causes of hair loss that are difficult (or not possible) to prevent, control, or change include:
Confirming Itchy Scalp and Hair Loss Symptoms
If you are experiencing itchy scalp, hair loss, or both, talk to your healthcare provider or see a board-certified dermatologist. They can help you find an accurate diagnosis and work with you to determine a treatment plan that works for you.
Your provider will likely:
If a cause for your symptoms isn’t apparent after this exam, tests may be ordered, including:
When to See a Healthcare ProviderIf your symptoms are bothering you, your primary healthcare provider, a board-certified dermatologist, or in some cases, a pharmacist may be able to help.See a provider if you experience any of the following:Hair loss in anunusual patternRapid hair lossHair loss at an early age (such as before you are in your 30s)Red, scaly, or abnormal skin on the scalpItching or pain with hair lossAbnormal facial hair, acne, or anabnormal menstrual cycleMale-pattern baldness if you are femaleWeight gain, muscle weakness, intolerance to cold temperatures, and/or fatigueBald patches in your eyebrows or beardInfected areason your scalpA lesion or lesions that could be skin cancer
When to See a Healthcare Provider
If your symptoms are bothering you, your primary healthcare provider, a board-certified dermatologist, or in some cases, a pharmacist may be able to help.See a provider if you experience any of the following:Hair loss in anunusual patternRapid hair lossHair loss at an early age (such as before you are in your 30s)Red, scaly, or abnormal skin on the scalpItching or pain with hair lossAbnormal facial hair, acne, or anabnormal menstrual cycleMale-pattern baldness if you are femaleWeight gain, muscle weakness, intolerance to cold temperatures, and/or fatigueBald patches in your eyebrows or beardInfected areason your scalpA lesion or lesions that could be skin cancer
If your symptoms are bothering you, your primary healthcare provider, a board-certified dermatologist, or in some cases, a pharmacist may be able to help.
See a provider if you experience any of the following:
How to Treat Hair Loss and Scalp Itching
Treatment for hair loss and/or scalp itching depends on what is causing the symptoms.
Medicated shampoomay be recommended for conditions such as dandruff or psoriasis.
Moisturizing creams or ointments may be used to help with dryness or itchiness. Your healthcare provider may recommend medicated ointments, such ascorticosteroidlotions, for conditions such asseborrheic dermatitis.
Your healthcare provider may suggest taking specificsupplementsif a nutritional deficiency causes your symptoms. Hormonal therapy may be suggested if there is a hormonal cause for the symptoms.
Prescription medications that may be used to help decrease hair loss and/or stimulate new hair growth include:
Ahair transplantprocedure, in which a surgeon moves healthy hair from one area of the scalp to a thinning area, is another option.
Treatment options for patchy hair loss due toalopecia areatainclude:
How to Minimize or Stop Scalp Itching and Shedding
As with treatment, strategies to minimize or stop itching and shedding depend on the cause. Some general tips for caring for a scalp that is itching and/or shedding include:
Summary
There is some overlap between itchy scalp and hair loss. Both symptoms can occur with the same condition, such as scalp ringworm. Scratching an itchy scalp can cause damage that leads to hair loss. Hair loss in conditions such as alopecia areata may cause scalp itch to occur before the hair falls out.
It’s important to see a healthcare provider to get an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment plan.
Treatment depends on the cause but may include topical medications andshampoos, oral or injected medications, and lifestyle practices.
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13 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.NYU Langone.Types of hair loss.Healthdirect.Itchy scalp.Nadia Peyravian, Sapna Deo, Sylvia Daunert & Joaquin J Jimenez (2020).The inflammatory aspect of male and female pattern hair loss. Journal of Inflammation Research, 13:, 879-881. doi:10.2147/JIR.S275785Penn Medicine.Hair loss (alopecia).MyHealth Alberta.Scalp problems.Guo EL, Katta R.Diet and hair loss: effects of nutrient deficiency and supplement use. Dermatol Pract Concept. Published online January 31, 2017:1-10. doi:10.5826/dpc.0701a01Vázquez-Herrera NE, Sharma D, Aleid NM, Tosti A.Scalp itch: a systematic review. Skin Appendage Disord. 2018;4(3):187-199. doi:10.1159/000484354American Academy of Dermatology Association.10 reasons your scalp itches and how to get relief.Burroni AG, Trave I, Herzum A, Parodi A.Sensitive scalp: An epidemiologic study in patients with hair loss. Dermatol Reports. 2022;14(3). doi:10.4081/dr.2022.9408Understanding hair loss due to air pollution and the approach to management. Hair Ther Transplant. 2015;05(01). doi:10.4172/2167-0951.1000133Better Health.Dandruff and itching scalp.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Hair loss types: alopecia areata diagnosis and treatment.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Hair loss: tips for managing.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
NYU Langone.Types of hair loss.Healthdirect.Itchy scalp.Nadia Peyravian, Sapna Deo, Sylvia Daunert & Joaquin J Jimenez (2020).The inflammatory aspect of male and female pattern hair loss. Journal of Inflammation Research, 13:, 879-881. doi:10.2147/JIR.S275785Penn Medicine.Hair loss (alopecia).MyHealth Alberta.Scalp problems.Guo EL, Katta R.Diet and hair loss: effects of nutrient deficiency and supplement use. Dermatol Pract Concept. Published online January 31, 2017:1-10. doi:10.5826/dpc.0701a01Vázquez-Herrera NE, Sharma D, Aleid NM, Tosti A.Scalp itch: a systematic review. Skin Appendage Disord. 2018;4(3):187-199. doi:10.1159/000484354American Academy of Dermatology Association.10 reasons your scalp itches and how to get relief.Burroni AG, Trave I, Herzum A, Parodi A.Sensitive scalp: An epidemiologic study in patients with hair loss. Dermatol Reports. 2022;14(3). doi:10.4081/dr.2022.9408Understanding hair loss due to air pollution and the approach to management. Hair Ther Transplant. 2015;05(01). doi:10.4172/2167-0951.1000133Better Health.Dandruff and itching scalp.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Hair loss types: alopecia areata diagnosis and treatment.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Hair loss: tips for managing.
NYU Langone.Types of hair loss.
Healthdirect.Itchy scalp.
Nadia Peyravian, Sapna Deo, Sylvia Daunert & Joaquin J Jimenez (2020).The inflammatory aspect of male and female pattern hair loss. Journal of Inflammation Research, 13:, 879-881. doi:10.2147/JIR.S275785
Penn Medicine.Hair loss (alopecia).
MyHealth Alberta.Scalp problems.
Guo EL, Katta R.Diet and hair loss: effects of nutrient deficiency and supplement use. Dermatol Pract Concept. Published online January 31, 2017:1-10. doi:10.5826/dpc.0701a01
Vázquez-Herrera NE, Sharma D, Aleid NM, Tosti A.Scalp itch: a systematic review. Skin Appendage Disord. 2018;4(3):187-199. doi:10.1159/000484354
American Academy of Dermatology Association.10 reasons your scalp itches and how to get relief.
Burroni AG, Trave I, Herzum A, Parodi A.Sensitive scalp: An epidemiologic study in patients with hair loss. Dermatol Reports. 2022;14(3). doi:10.4081/dr.2022.9408
Understanding hair loss due to air pollution and the approach to management. Hair Ther Transplant. 2015;05(01). doi:10.4172/2167-0951.1000133
Better Health.Dandruff and itching scalp.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Hair loss types: alopecia areata diagnosis and treatment.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Hair loss: tips for managing.
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