What’s the Relation Between an Itchy Scalp and Hair Loss in Women?

Itchy scalp and hair loss are some of the most prevalent issues women face and are generally linked with underlying scalp issues or poor hair care. But can an itchy scalp lead to hair loss?

You should know the relationship between an itchy scalp and hair loss to effectively treat both conditions, promote scalp health, and prevent future occurrences. Hair loss may be permanent or temporary, depending on the cause and severity. An itchy scalp can result from various problems, ranging from skin diseases to hairstyling methods.

In this article, we’ll explore the causes of an itchy scalp, how it can cause hair loss, and effective treatments for both conditions. We’ll also inform you how Hairy Hair can help with hair loss.

What Causes an Itchy Scalp?

Itchy scalps can be caused by dry scalp, dandruff, seborrheic dermatitis, fungal infections, allergies, irritants, and scalp psoriasis. 

Unless you’re familiar with the signs, it can be hard to pinpoint the cause, so we’ll break some of these down below.

Allergic Reactions

A hair care product or any other substance that touches your scalp may trigger an allergic reaction. Identifying and avoiding allergens can help prevent an itchy scalp and hair loss. 

If you’re prone to flare-ups from new products, use hypoallergenic hair care products and do patch tests to help reduce the risk of an allergic reaction. If you’re unsure what’s causing your skin to break out, talk to a dermatologist who can help diagnose and treat allergic reactions that cause an itchy scalp and hair loss.

Fungal Infections

Fungal infections like scalp ringworm can lead to itchy scalps, damage hair follicles, and baldness. They can manifest as an itchy lump on the scalp. Antifungal medications can treat the condition.

Maintaining scalp hygiene and not sharing hair care items can also help prevent fungal infections. A dermatologist can diagnose and treat fungal infections that cause an itchy scalp and baldness.

Dandruff

Dandruff can occur if you have too active oil glands on your scalp. It can often develop in the teen years when hormonal changes cause an increase in your skin’s oil production. It can cause inflammation on the scalp and itching while weakening the hair root, causing hair to fall out in severe cases.

Alopecia Areata

Alopecia areata is an autoimmune condition that causes patches of hair loss and an itchy scalp. Your immune system sees your hair follicles as a threat and causes inflammation on your scalp to fight them.

Hair loss usually presents as flare-ups and may be tough to predict. It usually occurs in people who are susceptible to autoimmune conditions through genetics, like rheumatoid arthritis or type 1 diabetes.

Is There a Connection Between an Itchy Scalp and Hair Loss?

Hair loss can be accompanied by an itchy scalp. Fungal infection, irritation, and contact allergic dermatitis can lead to hair thinning, damage the hair follicles, and hair loss follows in the long run. Itching can also result from hair loss, since scarring damages the nerve fibres of the skin and thus triggers irritation.

Skin Appendage Disorders found that people with hereditary hair loss often complained of an itchy scalp and frequently have concurrent conditions like seborrheic dermatitis.

Constant itching can damage your skin and hair follicles, causing temporary hair loss, scabbing, and bleeding. Once the scratching has ceased, hair will usually grow back normally.

If you have hereditary hair loss, this will happen without itching, and any scratching will not impact the amount of hair you lose.

How Can You Treat an Itchy Scalp and Hair Loss?

The treatment for an itchy scalp and loss of hair can depend on the cause:

• If you have an inflammatory scalp condition, your physician may prescribe steroids you take orally or use with a cream or injection directly on the scalp, which can help support the hair growth cycle.
• Topical and oral antifungals may be prescribed to treat yeast if it’s the cause of your itching and hair loss.
• Immunotherapy drugs may be used in the treatment of alopecia areata and other immune conditions leading to hair loss.

If your hair loss is due to something like inflammation or fungus infection, then the right treatment should stop the shedding, and your hair will grow back normally. In case there is an underlying cause for your hair loss, dandruff or a fungal infection would only make your thinning worse.

Natural Remedies to Combat an Itchy Scalp and Hair Loss

In some instances, lifestyle modifications can reduce itching and prevent further hair loss. You should aim to have a healthy diet full of essential nutrients like iron, zinc, selenium, biotin, and amino acids. Supplement these only when you know that you have a deficiency.

According to research conducted by Dermatology Practical & Conceptual, there are no studies that validate the fact that supplements will prevent hair loss if your levels are balanced. Moreover, over-supplementation can result in serious medical ailments and even hair loss.

Specialised shampoos, particularly those with selenium or zinc, may be used to correct issues like high yeast levels. Essential oils, like rosemary, have also shown promise in animal studies, such as in Phytotherapy Research. 

Rosemary oil was seen to inhibit 5-alpha reductase activity. The enzyme causes testosterone to change into dihydrotestosterone (DHT), the hormone responsible for shrinking hair follicles, which leads to hair loss.

How Can Hairy Hair Help with My Hair Loss?

If you’re worried about an itchy scalp causing hair loss, you should talk to a doctor or dermatologist for a proper diagnosis and a personalised treatment plan. There are various solutions available to combat an itchy scalp and hair loss. Early intervention can help reduce damage and encourage hair regrowth if you have scalp psoriasis or a fungal infection.

Knowing the underlying cause of your hair loss will allow you to find the right treatment and take preventative measures to prevent discomfort and encourage hair regrowth. If you’re worried about your hair loss, contact Hairy Hair today. 

Our targeted treatment works to lower DHT levels to give your follicles a better chance to grow strong and resilient strands. It also aims to widen blood vessels in the scalp so your follicles can receive enough oxygen and nutrients. It’s rounded out with hair-boosting vitamins and helps fight inflammation, which can be linked to itchy scalp hair loss.

To start your treatment, just fill in a brief online questionnaire. We’ll review your information and create a personalised treatment plan based on you and your hair loss. A qualified Australian GP will then call you to go through your prescription and answer any questions you have. Finally, your treatment will be delivered straight to your door, meaning no visits to a clinic or pharmacy.