What causes scalp pain?
Nov 13, 2024
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Liu Wenmin
Introduction
Scalp pain may be caused by factors such as physical pulling, lack of sleep, trauma, folliculitis, or trigeminal neuralgia. To prevent scalp pain, it is important to avoid excessive hair pulling, ensure adequate sleep, pay attention to personal safety to prevent injuries, maintain scalp cleanliness to prevent folliculitis, and monitor overall health to avoid triggers that may lead to trigeminal neuralgia.
In general, scalp pain may be caused by external pulling forces, lack of sleep, trauma, folliculitis, trigeminal neuralgia, and other reasons. If the above conditions occur, it is recommended to seek timely medical treatment. Specific analyses are as follows:
1. External Pulling Forces
Excessive or improper pulling on the hair—such as tightly braided hairstyles, using strong hair clips, or brushing too tightly—can cause physical irritation to the scalp, ultimately leading to pain. Applying cold compresses in daily life can help reduce inflammation and swelling.
2. Sleep Deprivation
Chronic lack of sleep can lead to overactivity of the sympathetic nervous system, which in turn stimulates blood vessel constriction, especially in the scalp area. Vasoconstriction may trigger vasospasms, resulting in scalp pain. It is important to regulate daily routines and ensure sufficient sleep time.
3. Trauma
Trauma mainly refers to injuries from impacts or cuts. When the scalp is lacerated or torn by sharp objects, soft tissue damage and bleeding can occur. This direct physical injury causes immediate severe pain, leading to the aforementioned symptoms. It may be accompanied by bleeding and swelling. Under a doctor’s guidance, medications such as diclofenac sodium sustained-release tablets, ibuprofen sustained-release capsules, and amoxicillin-clavulanate potassium dispersible tablets may be used for treatment.
4. Folliculitis
Poor personal hygiene, obesity, and skin injuries are all contributing factors to folliculitis. Folliculitis causes inflammatory reactions in the scalp; when infection worsens, local tissue edema and redness may develop, compressing surrounding nerves and causing pain. Symptoms may include pustules and hair loss. Patients should follow medical advice to use medications such as fusidic acid cream, mupirocin ointment, and cefuroxime axetil tablets.
5. Trigeminal Neuralgia
Trigeminal neuralgia may be associated with infections, inflammation, or trauma. These factors may impair the conduction function of nerve fibers, generating pain signals that result in scalp pain. It may be accompanied by symptoms such as tearing and drooling. Medications such as carbamazepine tablets, phenytoin sodium tablets, and gabapentin capsules should be used under medical supervision.
To prevent scalp pain, individuals should avoid excessive hair pulling, ensure adequate sleep, pay attention to personal safety to prevent injuries, maintain scalp cleanliness to prevent folliculitis, and monitor overall health to avoid factors that may trigger trigeminal neuralgia.
