Scabs and sores

Scabs and sores on the scalp can lead to itching and an unpleasant feeling in your scalp. Itching leads to scratching which can make this situation worse. They are not a serious issue but you still must consult your doctor if you have been noticing scabs and sores on your scalp.

Scabs are a small or big patch of skin that is excessively drier than the skin around them, sometimes in the worst-case scenario, you may notice that the scab may start growing onto other parts of your scalp; this can be dangerous and would require you to consult your dermatologist. 

Causes and possible treatments  

Today we will not only talk about the causes of scabs on your scalp but we will also give our possible treatment options that can help you get rid of them as soon as possible. Here are all the causes and treatments of scabs.

1) Lice in the scalp

Lice is one of the most common and contagious reasons for scabs on the scalp. Lice usually causes itching and irritation which may tempt you to scratch this only makes the situation worse. Lice is not a life-altering issue they develop because of poor hygiene but can be easily treated. 

Treatment for lice 

There are a lot of shampoos available in the market that claim to treat lice, you must look for ingredients like pyrethrin, dimethicone when going for lice control shampoo. You can also use neem oil on your scalp as it will also help in controlling lice.

2) Contact Dermatitis

Contact dermatitis is usually the reaction of our body to the jewelry, cosmetics, or products that we use. Other factors that can cause contact dermatitis include certain fabrics or poison ivy. This may lead to itching and scratching and that is how the infection spreads. 

Treatment for contact dermatitis 

Contact dermatitis usually gets cleared up on its own, however, in severe cases where the reaction is extreme, antihistamines or other OTC creams may be suggested.

3) Seborrheic Dermatitis

Seborrheic dermatitis is also commonly known as dandruff; it is one of the most common skin conditions that can lead to scabs on the scalp. Itching, scabs, and dry flakes are the main symptoms of this condition, you may notice that the scabs are yellowish or white.

Treatment for seborrheic dermatitis 

The market is filled with OTC shampoos that are specifically curated for dandruff. When you look for a shampoo for dandruff make sure you look for ingredients like salicylic acid, selenium sulfide, pyrithione zinc, and tar. Make sure you only use the products that are approved by your dermatologist.

Seborrheic dermatitis aka dandruff can be controlled and treated, however, it never completely goes away.

4) Scalp Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a noncontagious issue, it can affect the skin anywhere on the body. However, when we see psoriasis affecting the scalp it forms huge scabs that may be white, silver, or grey in color.

Treatment for scalp psoriasis

If you have mild symptoms of scalp psoriasis then a good shampoo can also help you reduce the scabs over time, when buying a shampoo make sure it contains ingredients like tar and salicylic acid.

However, if your symptoms are not mild then consult your dermatologist as they may prescribe you steroids in the form of topical ointments or injections. 

5) Seborrheic Eczema

Seborrheic eczema is a serious issue but we do not know that because of this it does form scabs on the scalp. The scabs are usually very itchy which can lead to a red scalp, if it is a serious case of seborrheic eczema it can spread to other parts of the body and cause itching, redness, and irritation.

Treatment for seborrheic eczema 

It is advised to consult a dermatologist for this condition, on assessing your severity they may suggest a shampoo or some OTC cream that can help in reducing the scabs and controlling the itching. 

6) Acne

Acne can cause pimples and block pores on your scalp where hair follicles are present. When the hair follicles get clogged due to sweat, oil, dead cells, or bacteria it can lead to acne and scabs on the scalp.

Treatment for acne 

Treating acne is not as easy as it may sound, you can either opt for a medicated shampoo or you can also consult your doctor for anti-acne creams and antibiotics that will help in treating scabs on your scalp. 

How to prevent scabs and sores on the scalp 

Here are some of the best ways in which you can prevent scabs and sores on your scalp.

• It is important to wash hands regularly and avoid people with infections
• It is important to wash hair regularly to get rid of any bacterial infestation
• It is advised to avoid excessively touching or scratching the scalp
• It is advised to use a shampoo that does not irritate or dry the scalp

Take Away 

Scabs and sores can be caused due to a lot of reasons and it is important to consult a dermatologist as they would be able to guide you better on your condition. We hope the information shared above has been of help to all our readers.