Scalp Symptoms

What are the signs of scalp problems?

Scalp symptoms are any abnormality of the skin or hair on the head. Although the most common scalp symptoms include dry, oily, or flaky skin, as seen with dandruff, you could experience numerous other scalp symptoms. These include itchiness, numbness, tingling, bruising, pain and swelling of the scalp.

Because of the wide variety of symptoms that can be associated with the scalp, specific causes of scalp symptoms are difficult to pinpoint. However, the most common scalp symptoms may be caused by normal aging, a buildup of cosmetic products on the scalp, infrequent cleaning of the scalp, stress levels, and climate or environmental factors.

Seborrheic dermatitis is a common cause of flaky, scaly scalp skin that is referred to as dandruff. It may be accompanied by redness or white-to-yellow skin discoloration. In infants this condition is known as cradle cap. Seborrheic dermatitis can occur in other body areas as well as on the scalp.

Scalp pain or tenderness may also be a sign of giant cell, or temporal, arteritis, a serious disease characterized by inflammation of the arteries. Rarely, head trauma, stroke, or other serious conditions can lead to scalp symptoms.

Seek immediate medical care (call 911) if you have scalp pain or tenderness accompanied by headache, fever, visual changes, or pain while chewing, or other serious symptoms that could be signs of a life-threatening condition, such as difficulty breathing, convulsions, or loss of consciousness. Seek prompt medical care if your scalp symptoms are persistent or cause you concern.