Scalp sores may be painful—and truthfully, a bit embarrassing—when you can see them. They may catch your attention when you brush your hair or notice them when you run your hand over your scalp. Others, though, have no warning and are only found when someone else notices them during a haircut. These sores may appear in a variety of ways, such as itchy rashes, small bumps around hair follicles, flaky areas, or even pimple-like spots.
Most sores on the scalp aren’t anything to worry about, but it’s a good idea to see a doctor if they persist for longer than a few days, don’t develop properly, or begin to change in shape, size, or color. If they persistently come back, it may be an indication of things such as ringworm, psoriasis, or folliculitis.
Scalp psoriasis is one of the more common etiologies, present in over 60% of people with psoriasis. It can cause intense itching, flaking, tenderness, and hair loss, albeit temporary. Cold temperatures, dry air, or stress may exacerbate it. Folliculitis is also a common condition—it’s an infection of the hair follicles that looks very much like acne, usually taking the form of red bumps with inflamed rings around them. This can be brought on by tight hats, hot skin, or a lot of skin-to-skin contact.
Seborrheic dermatitis is a prime suspect, too. It presents itself as reddened patches of oily-looking scales, often where your scalp is most productive in terms of oil production. And there’s ringworm, which is a fungus causing a pretty scratchy, flaky area of hair loss. And scalp acne is a real thing, which can be anywhere from blackheads and whiteheads to larger cysts.
Lichen planopilaris is a bit less common, but it’s notable because it produces scarring alopecia through the destruction of follicles. It’s believed to be an immune system association. Another possibility is head lice—they’re tiny insects that reside on your head and will happily spread via contact or sharing objects such as hats, combs, or pillows.
Some infections also produce hair loss. Folliculitis and ringworm are prime examples. Folliculitis is either caused by bacteria or fungi and produces red, itchy bumps. Ringworm typically produces round patches of baldness with redness and irritation. Although diseases such as seborrheic dermatitis and psoriasis are not infections, the inflammation they produce can also cause temporary hair loss.
The most effective way to prevent scalp infections is to maintain good hygiene practices, avoid harsh chemicals, and keep your stress levels in check. If you experience symptoms such as redness, itching, bumps, or anything unusual that the eye can perceive or the hand can feel, don’t hesitate—have it checked out with a health professional. The sooner you get these issues treated, the simpler the treatment will be and the healthier your scalp and hair will remain.