Causes Of Scalp Hurting & Best Home Remedies For Scalp Pain

Your hair roots are situated deep within the layers of the scalp. So if you have felt pain at the roots of your hair, it could actually be your scalp hurting.

This happens when the nerves in your scalp experience pain. This pain can have many causes, including excess sebum production or tight hairstyles. But there are certain treatments that soothe the pain and give your scalp some relief. Continue reading to know more.

Why Does Your Hair Hurt?

When you feel like your hair hurts, it is not your hair but the skin beneath that is hurting. The perifollicular area of the scalp around the hair is the source of your pain. Several factors, such as a greasy scalp and compressed hair, can cause scalp pain. If you tie up your hair when it is damp or wear tight, pulling hairstyles, you may experience hair pain.

Balpolam Idi, a blogger has suffered from scalp pain and shared her experience in a blog post. She says, “Ever since I was a little girl, I have always hated tight braids and hairstyles. I never saw the point. I still don’t. All this philosophy of beauty is pain and whatnot is not for me. My sisters and brothers in Kinky hair know exactly what I mean (i).”

Why Does Your Hair Hurt When You Do Not Wash It?

The scalp secretes sebum, a natural waxy oil produced by the sebaceous glands. This oil keeps your scalp moist and plays a crucial role in protecting it from infections. However, the overproduction of sebum can cause some serious hair issues.

Excess oil or sebum secretion causes the growth of yeast on your scalp and hair (1). This can lead to scalp problems like scalp inflammation, redness, itchiness, scaling, and dandruff.

Shampooing your hair periodically helps eliminate grease, excessive oil, and harmful yeasts. This will minimize the pain and help you recover from a sensitive scalp.

But if the pain persists, it can be the symptom of an underlying condition. Visit a dermatologist and get the recommended tests done to diagnose the root cause of this issue.

Prominent Reasons For Scalp Pain From Moving The Hair

As stated earlier, the hair is made of dead cells and cannot feel any pain. It is always the scalp that experiences pain when you tie, pull, or even move the hair. Scalp pain when you move your hair can be a symptom of other health conditions, such as:

• Headache
• Stress
• Scalp soreness and burning
• Tight hairstyles
• Allergies
• Eczema
• Dandruff

Lets now look at a few major causes of a sore scalp in the next section.

What Are The Causes Of A Sensitive Scalp?

Scalp sensitivity starts with slight irritation, itching, or a tingling sensation but can turn severe if not treated soon. Your scalp becomes sore and sensitive due to the following hairstyling habits or health conditions:

• Scalp psoriasis
• Seborrheic dermatitis (dandruff)
• Scalp folliculitis
• Allergic contact dermatitis
• Trichodynia
• Aggressive brushing
• Frequent heat styling

Scalp pain is temporary and can be treated easily. Check out these simple ways to reduce scalp pain. Scroll down.

Tips To Relieve Scalp Pain

• Rinse your scalp with cool water and a mild shampoo instead of harsh cleansers.

• Avoid fragrant oils or serums that can irritate your scalp and damage your hair.

• Comb your hair gently using a soft-bristled brush.

• Apply diluted lavender and rosemary essential oils to your scalp.

• Opt for a massaging moisturizer, UV light therapy, and application of coal tar extract.

• Consider stress management therapies and meditation and practice mindfulness to reduce headaches.

• Use antibacterial shampoos to prevent yeast infection and dandruff that might lead to scalp pain.

• Do not style your hair in high ponytails, updos, buns, and braids. Always go for loose hairstyles.

Quick Tip

Protect your scalp from prolonged sun exposure by wearing a hat because a scalp sunburn may cause discomfort.

You can also treat scalp pain with the effective home remedies listed below.

Best Home Remedies For Scalp Pain

Here is a list of some helpful home remedies for scalp pain.

1.  Lemon Juice

Lemon juice has astringent properties that help cleanse your scalp and remove buildup, oils, and pollutants.

You Will Need

• 2-3 tablespoons of lemon juice
• Shampoo/conditioner

Directions

1. Mix the lemon juice into your shampoo or conditioner.
2. Massage your scalp with this mixture for five minutes.
3. Rinse with cold water.

Quick Tip

Dehydration can contribute to scalp dryness. Drink an adequate amount of water throughout the day to keep your scalp and hair hydrated.

Aloe vera is an excellent soothing agent. It helps alleviate scalp pain, treats itchy scalp, and cleanses oily pores.

2. Aloe Vera

You Will Need

• Fresh aloe vera leaf

Directions

1. Cut the aloe vera leaf and extract its pulp. You can also use commercial aloe vera gel.
2. Massage this pulp onto your scalp and leave it on for 30 minutes.
3. Rinse your hair with warm water.
4. Follow up with a mild shampoo.

3. Coconut Oil

You Will Need

• Extra virgin coconut oil

Directions

1. Warm the coconut oil slightly.
2. Section hair for easy application.
3. Apply the oil directly to the scalp using your fingertips.
4. Gently massage in circular motions for 5 to 10 minutes.
5. Leave to rest for a minimum of 30 minutes.
6. Rinse with lukewarm water and shampoo and condition as usual.

4. Tea Tree Oil

You Will Need

• Tea tree oil
• Coconut or jojoba oil

Directions

1. Mix a few drops of tea tree oil with any carrier oil such as jojoba or coconut oil.
2. Gently massage the diluted mixture on the scalp.
3. Leave it on for 15 to 20 minutes.
4. Rinse thoroughly with warm water and mild shampoo.

In A Nutshell

Frequently Asked Questions

Can dirty hair cause scalp pain?

Yes, dirty hair signifies buildup on your scalp that could clog your follicles and cause scalp pain.

Why does my scalp hurt when my hair is in a ponytail?

Tight hairstyles like ponytails and buns can cause scalp pain as they pull on the hair roots.

Why does my scalp hurt when I let my hair down?

Hair that is heavy or weighed down by excess oil or product residue can put pressure on the hair roots and lead to scalp pain.

Discover the possible reasons behind scalp pain and how you can treat it in the video below. It also involves some essential pointers to keep in mind if you are experiencing scalp pain. Click play to understand these underlying causes.

(i) Tight
https://balpolamidi.medium.com/tight-11932543b2a6

References:

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Reviewer Author Editor Fact Checker

Ky SmithCertified Trichologist

   

Ky Smith is a certified trichologist and holistic health practitioner who specializes in hair and scalp diseases. She has over 30 years of experience and has dedicated her career to educating and empowering women to stabilize their hair loss and restore their health and hair.

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Arshiya SyedaCo-Editor-in-Chief

 

Arshiya Syeda is the Co-Editor-in-Chief of StyleCraze with 8 years of experience. Prior to that, she was a content writer who combined her writing and research skills to write over 200 high-performing articles on hairstyles, hair care, and skin care.

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Anjali SayeeAssociate Editor

Anjali is an associate editor at StyleCraze. She specializes in hairstyles and hair and skin care and has written over 200 articles in these domains. She has 7 years of experience, and her philosophy about hair and skin care is simple: if you love and care for it, it will be healthy.

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Swathi ESenior Beauty & Lifestyle Writer

Swathi has a postgraduate degree in English literature from The English And Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad, and over three years of experience in writing on beauty, health, and lifestyle. She also has a diploma in English journalism from the Indian Institute of Mass Communication, Kottayam, and is a certified skincare coach.

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