Pain and Soreness in Scalp | Cause, diagnosis, symptoms and treatment

Do you have scalp pain and soreness? Here you can learn more about the scalp pain, as well as the associated symptoms, cause, treatment and various scalp diagnoses.

Scalp pain and soreness is actually surprisingly common - and can be caused by things that are very easy to treat (such as dandruff) or causes that can be more demanding, such as infections and parasitic infestations. Remember that you can also contact us at Our Facebook page for any questions.

- Get it investigated

You must always take pain in the scalp seriously - there are some diagnoses that can be further aggravated if you do not address it. If you experience persistent soreness or pain at the top of the scalp, we recommend that you contact your GP today. If you have associated tension or pain in the neck and jaw, it is also possible that what you are experiencing is referred pain from the muscles and joints of the neck or jaw.

Our clinic departments at Vondtklinikkene (click here for a complete overview of our clinics), including in Oslo (Lambert seats) and Viken (Eidsvoll Sound og Raw wood), has a distinctively high level of professional expertise in the investigation, treatment and rehabilitation of neck pain and referred muscle pain. Contact us if you want the help of therapists with expertise in these areas.

Did you know that several of the muscles in the jaw and neck can cause pain in the ear, face, head and temple? Later in the article shows chiropractor Alexander Andorff produced a good training video with exercises that can help you with muscle-related problems in the neck and jaw.

The most common conditions and diagnoses that can cause pain and tenderness in the scalp are:

• Dandruff and skin irritation
• Headache (tension headache)
• Dermatitis
• Skin Conditions
• Infections
• Lus
• Referred pain from the neck or jaw
• Referred pain from the neck rotation muscle musculus sternocleidomastoid
• Referred pain from the neck muscle musculus splenius capitis
• Temporal arthritis (more rare)

In this article you will learn more about what may be causing your scalp and soreness, as well as various symptoms and diagnoses of such pain.

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Cause and diagnosis: Why am I sore and sore in the scalp?

Here we will go through a number of possible causes and diagnoses that can lead to scalp pain and soreness.

Dandruff and Skin irritation

Freeing out of dandruff? Do not be that. Dandruff affects as many as 50% of us. Characteristic symptoms of dandruff and skin irritation include itching and dry, loose skin. This dry skin can in many cases settle as loose skin remnants on the shoulders of those most at risk. What many people do not know is that dandruff can also cause increased scalp oil production, which makes the hair greasy and greasy.

- Skin irritation and dandruff can have several causes

Dandruff can be caused by large variations in the weather, sunburn, low moisture in the skin cells, hypersensitivity to certain hair products and certain types of fungal infections (!) That thrive well on the scalp. There are a number of effective products to treat this condition - including natural remedies such as coconut oil, aloe vera, apple cider vinegar and probiotic foods (diets that stimulate the growth of good bacteria).

Headache (tension headache)

Many people are aware that muscles and joints can refer to pain when they are affected by malfunction and hypomobility. This pain pattern is unique for each individual muscle - but in short, it is the neck muscles and the neck joints in particular that can send pain that puts pressure on the top of the head or towards the temple.

- Worsened by Stress

The condition usually occurs when there is high stress in everyday life over a long period of time - which in turn causes the muscles to become tight and painful. Often called stress neck. The multidisciplinary clinic Råholt Chiropractor Center & Physiotherapy has written an excellent and very detailed article regarding this modern diagnosis. Intramuscular needling, modern chiropractic, physiotherapy, pressure wave therapy and home exercises are all part of active treatment for this condition.

Relief and relaxation for stress headaches and neck pain

Both stress headaches and stress necks can severely affect everyday function and our energy levels. This is precisely why it is so important to have periods of personal time and active relaxation. For those who suffer from neck tension, one can neck hammock be of great use. Other good relaxation measures include acupressure mat or reusable heat pack (to regularly dissolve tense muscles).

Tips: Neck hammock (The link opens in a new window)

Click on the image or link to read more about the neck hammock and how it can help your neck.

Dermatitis

Dermatitis is a general term for dermatitis. Common symptoms include itchy, stinging and swollen skin - and that one can experience, due to the inflammatory response (where the immune system tries to fight the inflammation), small blisters and irritated scabs.

Such inflammation of the skin can be triggered for several reasons. Among other things:

• Toxic plants (nettle and the like)
• Hair Products
• Metals (for example, nickel)
• Soaps and creams
• Water
• Detergents

Skin Conditions

Eczema is an example of a common skin disease that can cause dry and irritated skin. However, there are dozens of other skin diseases that can also contribute to dry scalp - so if you suffer from this for a long time, we strongly recommend that you be examined by a dermatologist.

Infection

Infections can occur in the scalp, as in many other parts of the body - the hair roots may be particularly vulnerable. Such infections can be painful, sore and cause a local increase in heat in the skin. The most common areas affected by infection in the hair roots are the back of the neck, the back of the head and the armpits. Sometimes infected pus and fluid can also be seen. Another infection that can particularly affect children is fungal infections of the scalp - medically known as tinea capitis and tinea versicolor. This type of infection can also cause hair loss.

Lus

Many people shudder just thinking that small insects are running around in the scalp - and with good reason! Lice can appear surprisingly on dandruff and skin flakes. These little rakes are incredibly contagious and love to multiply - a single lice can live and thrive for a full 30 days on the scalp or elsewhere on the body. And their eggs can live even longer - so you know.

You can buy lice at the pharmacy if you suspect that you or any of your loved ones have been affected by a solid lice infection. Also remember that lice bite well and that, over time, they can cause clear rashes and red dots on the scalp.

Referred Pain to the Scalp from the Neck or Jaw

(Figure 1: Referred pain from muscle knots in the neck and jaw)

In the illustration above you can see pain patterns from various muscles in the neck and jaw. A pain pattern involves referred pain from a tense muscle that can be felt in all or part of the red area shown above. Here it is particularly important to note the muscles splenius capitus (longitudinal on each side of the neck) and sternocleidomastoid. Very often, such reference pain has a basis in a combination of reduced joint mobility and muscle tension. Often the muscle tension has built up over a long time.

Temporal arthritis

Extra pressure and sensitive on the side of the head and scalp? It may be temporal arthritis. The temporal artery is a blood vessel that runs to the side of the head (temple) from the ear. Temporal arthritis is a medical diagnosis where these blood vessels become inflamed and very sore to the touch. This often includes an increase in CRP and typical symptoms include jaw pain, headache and visual impairment. It has also been seen that the condition particularly affects the elderly and those with polymyalgia revmatika (PMR).

Treatment of Pain and Soreness in the Scalp

The treatment you receive will depend on what is causing the pain you are experiencing. Special shampoo and conditioner can help relieve dryness and itchiness of the scalp due to dry skin. Certain natural oils, such as lavender oil and aloe vera, can help soothe and heal scalp sores. But we also note that it is sensible to seek out a dermatology medical specialist if you have had long-lasting scalp pain.

- Investigate your ailments

One of the most important things is that you actually address the problem and seek help. We do not want the lice to build a villa and start a family on your scalp - do we?

VIDEO: 5 Stretching exercises against Stiff Neck and Neck Tension

In the video below, you can learn 5 good exercises against tension in the neck and the nape of the neck. Many people are surprised when they see how muscles in the neck and jaw can, among other things, refer pain further to the head and scalp.

Join our family and subscribe to our YouTube channel for free exercise tips, exercise programs and health knowledge. Welcome you shall be.

Summarizeringing

In case of persistent scalp soreness, consult your GP. Easily. If there are no signs of other causes, then the likelihood that the pain is coming from the neck or jaw increases. Do you have questions about the article or do you need some more tips? Ask us directly via our facebook page or via the comment box below.

Recommended self help

Reusable Gel Combination Gasket (Heat & Cold Gasket)

Heat can increase blood circulation to tight and sore muscles - but in other situations, with more acute pain, cooling is recommended, as it reduces the transmission of pain signals. Due to the fact that these can also be used as a cold pack to calm down swelling, we recommend these.

Read more here (opens in new window): Reusable Gel Combination Gasket (Heat & Cold Gasket)

Set of 5x trigger point balls

Trigger point balls are used by laying the ball so that it hits well into the aching muscle or tendon. This will, like physical therapy, lead to increased blood circulation and healing in tight and sore muscle fibers. A very good measure for you who like to tackle problems on your own - and especially for you who are also affected by neck headaches due to tense muscles in the upper back and neck region.

Read more here (opens in new window): Set of 5x trigger point balls

- Pain clinics: Our clinics and therapists are ready to help you

Click on the link below to see an overview of our clinic departments. At Vondtklinikkene Tverrfaglig Helse, we offer assessment, treatment and rehabilitation training, for, among other things, muscle diagnoses, joint conditions, nerve pain and tendon disorders.

Frequently asked questions about scalp pain (FAQ)

Feel free to use the comments section below to ask questions. Or send us a message via social media or one of our contact options.

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