Mostscabson the scalp arent cause for concern.
However, scabs can also be due to a condition that can only be cleared up with medical attention.
And, of course, any scab can stick around if scratched and picked at.
logolis/Getty Images
logolis/Getty Images
1.
Contact Dermatitis
Contact dermatitisis an itchy, red rash brought on by direct contact with irritants or allergens.
The rash can be anywhere on your body, including the scalp.
The rash itself doesnt involve scabs, but scratching can lead to them, as well as open sores.
Many products contain fragrances and other ingredients that can cause contact dermatitis.
Treatment
Home remedies may relieve a contact dermatitis rash.
Common ones include:
If home remedies dont help, your doctor may prescribe:
2.
Psoriasis plaques are most often on the elbows, knees, trunk, and scalp.
Flare-ups tend to be in the same or similar spots.
Scalp psoriasismay also look like dandruff.
Psoriasis treatmentdepends on the severity.
For mild cases, a medicated shampoo can ease itching and reduce skin overgrowth.
OTC medicated shampoos withsalicylic acidhelp remove excess skin.
Those containing coal tar can relieve inflammation and slow skin-cell growth.
Other ways to treat scalp psoriasis include:
3.
Acne
Acne is common on the face, but it can also affect your scalp.
Acne cosmetica refers to acne brought on by hair or skin care products.
In particular, some hair care products contain oil that can clog the pores in your scalp.
Dermatitis Herpetiformis
Dermatitis herpetiformisis a chronic skin condition.
It occurs in people withgluten sensitivityorceliac disease.
Intensely itchy clusters of blisters and red bumps appear on the skin and along the hairline.
Scratching it can also cause scalp scabs.
Dermatitis herpetiformis is treated with a prescription antibiotic called dapsone.
The drug provides almost immediate relief.
However, it doesnt cure itit only relieves symptoms.
Seborrheic Dermatitis
Seborrheic dermatitisis a common and chronic skin condition with symptoms that come and go.
It affects the sebaceous (oily) regions of the scalp.
It causes patches of greasy skin covered with itchy, crusty, powdery flakes.
The flakes may be white or yellow.
Scratching these spots can lead to scabs.
Seborrheic dermatitisis also called cradle cap in babies and dandruff in adults.
Home remedies may help control and eliminateseborrheic dermatitis.
Let it sit for one hour, then brush out your hair.
That may help with dry, crusty patches.
If none of that works, your healthcare provider may prescribe medicated shampoos or ointments that reduce scalp inflammation.
If topical treatments dont work, you may need an oral antifungal medication.
Eczema
Eczemausually appears on visible areas of skin.
But sometimes it strikes less easy-to-see places like the top of your head.
Scalp eczema causes itchy, dry, red, and inflamed skin.
You may also feel a burning sensation.
Scalp eczema itself doesnt cause scabs.
But scratching it can.
Theres no cure for scalp eczema.
However, treatments can help reduce symptoms.
OTC shampoos may reduce itchiness and get rid of flaky, scaly skin.
If your eczema is severe and OTC products don’t help, your provider may prescribe something stronger.
Other options include:
Sunlight or light therapy (phototherapy) may help, too.
Eosinophilic Folliculitis
Eosinophilic folliculitisis a skin and scalp disorder.
It causes recurring itchy, red, or skin-colored bumps and pustules (bumps containing pus).
They eventually scab over.
The scalp scabs can spread.
The condition isnt contagious.
Its mostly found in people with late-stageHIV/AIDS.
Scratching the bumps can lead to scabbing and infection.
The treatment for eosinophilic folliculitis varies depending on the severity.
Your prior responses to medications may be considered, as well.
Possible treatments include:
8.
They often appear on the wrist, lower back, or ankles, but can develop anywhereincluding the scalp.
They might be painful and itchy, which can lead to scabs.
The skin disorder is most common in middle-aged adults, and its unclear what causes it.
Lichen planusoften goes away on its own within two years, and theres no cure.
However, treatment can reduce symptoms and speed up healing.
Some treatment options include:
9.
Head Lice
Head liceare wingless insects that live on your scalp.
They feed on blood.
You may feel them moving around on your scalp.
Their bites can itch.
Scratching can cause wounds and scabs on your scalp.
Head lice dont carry disease, but scabs can get infected.
Head lice are highly contagious.
Prompt treatment is important to keep them from spreading.
Treatments for liceinclude:
To kill the lice and their eggs, its important to:
10.
Neuropathic Itching
Some people experience nerve-related itching on the scalp (neuropathic itch).
There is no rash, just itchiness.
Scratching leads to scabs.
The cause of neuropathic itching is unclear.
Its thought to be related to nerves in the skin.
Impetigo
Impetigois a skin infection sparked by the bacteria group AStreptococcusorStaphylococcus aureus.
Its most common in kids, but adults can get it too.
In most cases, the blisters are itchy.
A yellowish crust will eventually form over them.
Impetigo is incredibly contagious and can spread if someone touches the sore or comes in contact with its fluid.
Most people wont have a second bout of impetigo, so the scabs are unlikely to reoccur.
Its important to contact a healthcare provider if you suspect you have the condition again.
Antibiotics can cure impetigo.
Your healthcare provider may recommend a topical cream if there are few sores in one area.
Scalp Ringworm
A fungal infection, scalp ringworm may start off as small bumps on the scalp that itch.
Scratching them can cause a scab.
Gradually, the bump expands to form a large circle with a normal-looking inside surrounded by a red border.
The hair inside the ring may become brittle and break off easily, leaving a bald patch.
Its rare for adults to get scalp ringworm, but it happens.
The infection can come back if it isnt fully cleared with medication.
Most of these smooth bumps are painless and benign.
However, if they become infected, they may bleed and scab.
If the cyst is infected, a healthcare provider may recommend antibiotics followed by surgical removal.
Injury
Head injuries such as falls or accidents can cause cuts on the scalp that may scab over.
If you have a minor scalp wound, wash it with soap and water.
you’re free to also use a gauze pad or other sterile cloth to help stop any bleeding.
Most minor wounds don’t need antibiotics unless they have signs of infection.
Shingles
Shingles is a painful skin rash triggered by thevaricella-zoster virus.
Thats the virus that causeschickenpox.
It causes a painful rash with blisters that open and scab over.
That can make it painful to brush your hair.
Medication can reduce symptoms and make the outbreak shorter.
Drugs prescribed for shingles include:
16.
Lupus
One bang out of lupus,discoid lupus erythematosus, mainly affects your skin.
Your healthcare provider will help you determine the best treatment for discoid lupus.
Some options may include topical corticosteroids or corticosteroid injections.
Systemic therapy may be used for widespread lesions.
This can include antimalarial drugs such as hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine.
Skin Cancer
Skin cancer may cause scabs on the scalp that don’t go away.
They can especially form in areas that are exposed to the sun, including parts in your hair.
Treatment for skin cancer will vary depending on the punch in of cancer and the stage.
Self-Care for Scalp Scabs
Most minor scabs will heal on their own.
Home remedies shouldn’t replace treatments recommended by your healthcare provider.
But in addition to those treatments, they may help reduce symptoms.
Some popular self-treatment products include:
How to Avoid Picking Them
Its important to leave scabs alone.
Scabs form on the skin and scalp as part of a healing process.
They protect new skin as it grows in over damaged areas.
When you pick at scabs, you might expose the delicate skin underneath to infection.
It can also cause scarring or cause the area to bleed again, prompting another scab to form.
Also contact them if you have any signs of infection.
These include:
Summary
Any rash or sores on your scalp may scab over.
They may become infected, too.
Thats especially likely if you give in to the urge to scratch.
If youre unsure whats causing sores or scabs on your scalp, see a healthcare provider.
Many OTC products may help.
But its important to know what youre treating first.
Home remedies may help with symptoms.
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