Scalp inflammation can be caused by dandruff (seborrheic dermatitis), psoriasis, folliculitis, or product irritation.
Common causes
- Seborrheic dermatitis (dandruff).
- Psoriasis.
- Folliculitis.
- Contact dermatitis from hair products.
- Fungal infection (ringworm).
- Eczema.
- Lice.
Symptoms
Redness, itching, flaking, bumps and soreness.
Treatment
Medicated shampoo (ketoconazole, zinc, salicylic acid).
See a dermatologist
If it persists or you have hair loss.
Causes
Scalp inflammation (scalp dermatitis) has several causes: seborrheic dermatitis (the most common, affecting 3 to 5 percent of people), psoriasis, folliculitis, contact dermatitis from hair products, tinea capitis (fungal), eczema and lichen planopilaris.
- Seborrheic dermatitis causes greasy yellow scales and redness and relates to a reaction to Malassezia yeast.
- Scalp psoriasis affects about half of people with psoriasis and creates thick silvery plaques.
- Tinea capitis is common in children and causes patchy hair loss with scaling.
Treatment
Medicated shampoos with ketoconazole, zinc pyrithione, selenium sulfide, salicylic acid or coal tar help. Topical corticosteroids reduce inflammation for short periods. Fungal infections need oral antifungals such as griseofulvin or terbinafine. Avoid scratching and harsh products. See a dermatologist for painful sores, pus, hair loss, spreading rash or no improvement after 2 to 4 weeks of treatment.
Causes
Scalp inflammation can be due to seborrheic dermatitis, psoriasis, folliculitis, contact dermatitis, fungal infection or lice. Seborrheic dermatitis affects about 3 to 5 percent of people.
Treatment
Ketoconazole or zinc shampoos, topical steroids and treating the cause help. See a doctor for hair loss or severe symptoms.
Causes of an inflamed scalp
Scalp inflammation has many causes: seborrheic dermatitis (dandruff), psoriasis, contact dermatitis from hair products, folliculitis, tinea capitis (fungal infection, mainly in children), lichen planopilaris and eczema. Seborrheic dermatitis affects about 3 to 5 percent of people and is linked to a yeast, Malassezia.
Treatment
Medicated shampoos with ketoconazole, zinc pyrithione, selenium sulfide or coal tar help dandruff and are used two to three times weekly. Psoriasis may need topical steroids or vitamin D analogs. Tinea capitis requires oral antifungal medicine such as griseofulvin or terbinafine because creams cannot reach the hair follicle. See a dermatologist for patches of hair loss, pus, painful scalp sores or lack of improvement after four weeks, since scarring conditions can cause permanent loss.
Based on data from the American Academy of Dermatology and the National Eczema Association
