Throughout the time I’ve suffered with hair loss I’ve had several episodes of scalp pain, sensitivity and a burning sensation. Trying to touch my head, lying down on a pillow or even moving my hair slightly would cause excruciating severe pain to my scalp. I had no idea what caused this and why it was sporadic, it would last for while then just disappear, last episode I had was this past July. Apparently there is a correlation between hair loss, telogen effluvium and scalp pain, also called trichodynia.
This is what I found about it on Wikipedia:
Trichodynia is a condition where the patient experiences a painful sensation on their scalp. The pain sometimes is described as burning. Trichodynia often is associated with hair loss, but some studies show it has no connection to hair loss. Often there is an underlying psycho-somatic cause, such as stress, depression or anxiety.
Only a few studies have been conducted on this condition. A theory behind the condition is that nerves innervating scalp hair follicles send pain messages back to the brain when the follicle no longer has a hair in it, in a similar way to phantom limb pain. Another theory is that people who have this condition (sometimes called “ponytail syndrome”) have super-sensitive nerves in their scalp.
A possible treatment is to halt hair loss in the patient, however it is important to understand and address any underlying psychologic comorbity (humm…of course I’m thinking, easier said than done)
I also wanted to share this article I found about it:
Hair Pain (Trichodynia): Frequency and Relationship to Hair Loss and Patient Gender
Barbara Willimann, Ralph M. Trüeb
Background: Patients complaining of hair loss frequently claim that their hair has become painful. Objective and Methods: The aim of the study was to evaluate the frequency of this phenomenon and its relationship to hair loss. Patients seeking advice for hair loss either spontaneously reported or were questioned about painful sensations of the scalp. Hair loss activity was quantified by a hair pull, daily count and wash test. Telogen percentage was obtained by a hair pluck. The scalp surface was examined by dermatoscopy. Results: Of 403 examined patients, 20% of women and 9% of men reported hair pain, irrespective of the cause and activity of hair loss. A minority presented scalp telangiectasia. This strongly correlated with hair pain. Conclusions: Hair pain (trichodynia) affects a significant proportion of patients complaining of hair loss and may increase the anxiety. The symptom neither allows discrimination of the cause nor correlates with the activity of hair loss. A higher prevalence of female patients might be connected to gender-related differences in pain perception in relation to anxiety. The role of vasoactive neuropeptides in the interaction between the central nervous system and skin reactivity is discussed. In the absence of any correlation with quantitative parameters of hair loss or specific morphologic changes of the scalp, management remains empiric and tailored to the individual.
Technorati Tags: hair loss, scalp pain, trichodynia
September 23rd, 2007 at 8:13 pm
In the hairloss forums I’ve read of so many people that have had scalp pain and hair loss. That’s one thing I’ve never had. My hair has been falling out like crazy this week - I’ve been flying and travelling in a new climate. I don’t know if that can make it worse, but I get balls of hair coming out every few hours. UGH. It seems like every time I travel this happens.
September 23rd, 2007 at 11:10 pm
I’ve always had scalp burning/stinging/itchiness since I lost my hair, but I know a lot of people with Totalis that have no problems at all. Does anyone know why it would be different for people with the same condition? :S
September 24th, 2007 at 4:58 pm
Jeni - Sorry to hear that you’ve been going through a shed this week particularly when you’re traveling. Shedding is horrible anytime it occurs, but for me I always find it even more troublesome when I’m traveling and away from home, probably because I’m outside my comfort zone. I also don’t a vacuum cleaner on hand to just vacuum the floor real quick after a shower. So it throws me a little off.
I’m not sure if climate can effect hair loss, I do know that some people tend to shed more in different seasons. But if it happens every time you travel maybe you are hair is susceptible to climate change. If you find the one climate that makes it stop completely let me know and I’ll be there faster than you can say rogaine!
Elle - Do you still continue to have the burning and itchiness? Do you notice that it’s when your hair is shedding or right before a shed. The thing I found interesting about the Wikipedia definition was this part “A theory behind the condition is that nerves innervating scalp hair follicles send pain messages back to the brain when the follicle no longer has a hair in it, in a similar way to phantom limb pain.”
That is definitely an explanation. Luckily I haven’t had one of this episodes since July.
February 18th, 2008 at 11:43 pm
Hello,
Just a question… Do you notice anything where or when your scalp hurts?
When my scalp hurts, it happens in patches that become red or bumpy. There is usually one hair or a group of hair that is very tender. When it falls out, the bulb is white. Sometimes the hair is brittle and literally snaps off. The feeling is almost electric or tingling. The tender spot hurts, alot.
When I had more hair, it would be so agonizing trying to find the tender spot, and dealing with it. Now I have less hair, I can usually find where the problem is.
I have no idea what to do?!?! I wish I could numb my head with some anagelsic or something?? I know the relief will happen when I find the tender spot, and do something to ease the sensation. I have tried ice packs, doesn’t help. Sometimes washing the hair helps.
My dermatologist put those shots in my scalp, and that helped for a week. I’m trying Sulfa 8 now. It works okay but the smell is annoying. Thick cream like Black & White also seem to alleviate some of the sensation. I get desperate and try anything–I asked my dermatologist what to do and she said “Whatever works”. Any ideas?
Blessings, Lynn
March 15th, 2008 at 10:07 am
Hello Lynn,
My scalp not only hurts, but it’s very,very red. This has gotten worse over the years. The more shampoos I try, it just seems to make it more irritated. I have an appointment next Tuesday, the 17th.
My scalp feels hot,sore, and “crawlie” or “tinglie”. Hard to describe unless you’ve been there.
Hope someone can help us.
Millie
March 18th, 2008 at 8:26 am
Hi Millie,
I have had the scalp pain but usually not a red scalp along with it. Please let me know how your appointment goes today.
Best,
Y
March 24th, 2008 at 2:48 pm
My hair is falling out really bad but I first notice my scalp being very tender to the touch, now I get sporadic sharp stinging pains and it strangely feels dead and extremely sensitive at the same time. If hurts to wash my hair, it even hurts when the wind blows it. I went to the dermatologist and she said she saw nothing wrong with my scalp so she doesn’t know what is causing it. I’m actually getting a little scared, this can’t be good. I hope to find help soon.
March 26th, 2008 at 11:21 am
Hi Dianna,
I really don’t what causes this awful painful occurrence but it doesn’t usually last forever. I usually have episodes of it that last between a couple days and a week, if I am recalling correctly. But for myself when I do get it, it hurts to wash my hair, touch my scalp or even lie on a pillow.
So far the only thing that has made sense to me is what I read on wikipedia “A theory behind the condition is that nerves innervating scalp hair follicles send pain messages back to the brain when the follicle no longer has a hair in it, in a similar way to phantom limb pain. Another theory is that people who have this condition (sometimes called “ponytail syndrome”) have super-sensitive nerves in their scalp.”
I wish I could help you figure out a definite cause, but I just don’t know. I hope you are doing okay.
~Y
March 30th, 2008 at 8:00 am
I have a similar story to everyone. My scalp hurts so much with a burning sensation that goes away after a little while, or perhaps I ignore it or my tolerance level has increased, I’m not sure. I try to massage my scalp, and it feels good as I’m doing it or as someone else is massaging it for me; but after the massage is done, it hurts even more; the tenderness, the itch, and the burning sensation increased. I have hair on my scalp, but my hair is no longer growing. In fact, it sheds everytime I comb it. When I was in High school, I used to put my hair in tight pony tails. I wonder if I’m paying for that now.
This is a hard thing to go through, especially when you’re still young. But I managed to gain strength from God, because there are other people who are going through rougher experiences in this life. So thank God for wigs, weaves, and pain management.
Be strong, From Milly
March 31st, 2008 at 7:10 am
Millie: What did the doctor say about the burning and pain when you went for your appointment the week of the 17th? Do you, by any chance also have a ‘tight’ scalp?
Suffering right along with your for the past 20+ years,
Pam
May 10th, 2008 at 4:43 am
Hi. This is the first time I have had scalp pain with
hair loss. I recently (2mo) had a perm. followed by coloring, week/half later. After that my scalp hurts and hair has been falling out and breaking a lot. I use a sticky roller to sweep my clothes after I comb or wash my hair and it is always filled with my precious hair. I wonder if I had this before the perm or if the perm set it all in motion. Thank You, Regina
June 10th, 2008 at 12:39 pm
Diana and Millie,
This is EXACTLY what I’m going through! I felt a sense
of relief (and validation) reading your posts because my doctors are baffled by my hair thinning and little hairs constantly growing in that feel like they had been shaved or something) it feels like stubble. Three of my doctors had no clue but gave me Rx’s for $200.00 worth of cortisone lotions and potions that made it worse! I was petrified I’d go bald. I felt this ironic because my hair was normally too thick! Now it’s scraggly and lifeless and when it’s windy I can feel wind on my scalp!
My scalp is tingly & numb-ish and burns (at the same time) and I’m always aware of the feeling. I have
Telogen Effluvium and today found what Trichodynia
was! It’s taken 6 months to find out other people have this! I don’t have to suffer alone!
I think my doctors think I’m crazy! All told me that as women get older their hair thins out. Ha! 1/2 of it?
and what about the weird scalp thing? No answer from any of them.
Anyway, thank you ALL for your posts. There’s a really gentle shampoo my doctor gave me called DHS shampoo that is so gentle and sudsy and makes your hair fluff up when you blow it dry. So far, that’s the only thing that’s made me feel better.
I’m so sorry we have this and hope it will eventually stop. We’ve got to be optimistic!
Blue 1
July 6th, 2008 at 8:06 am
Burn baby Burn….
Oh I’m so glad to read the comments. I wrote just awhile back, warning about skin weft hair extenions, this is done with a tape glue that bonds to your hair, they say it’s safe..(don’t do it) As I mentioned I used clip in for years, Sigh…yes it’s caused some traction alopecia, but not as bad as the bonding skin wefts!!! I took them out along with loads of hair. Save you the sad story. Since then I’m sheading more hair than usual, (will go to doc.) My hair loss could be a few reasons, 1. I’m 40 yrs. 2. I have already thin hair 3. too med. for back problems, 4. tried Zolof 5mg for depression caused by PMDD. 5. user of hair extenions. All these I think are linked to hair loss.
Going back to the what feels like HOT SPOTS, or a burning feeling (no red scalp) sometime itching, mostly top mid back of the head. I have to say I’m very stress out right now due the hair loss…so this could be the cause too.
Oh I really want to stress to everyone who are taking Zolof due to hair loss, I read that it can cause more hair loss. Sorry….
I thank everyone for there wonderful words and stories.
Cin