Pain in Hair Root: Cause and Treatment

You may experience pain in your scalp or hair occasionally, which may be associated with a sensation of burning or of tightness or dryness of skin. Many times, tenderness or pain in hair and scalp is not a serious issue and disappears on its own. But, if you suffer from persistent pain in scalp, loss of hair, bleeding or crusting, then visit your physician to get evaluated further. Some of the hair root pain treatment are described below.

Hair Root Pain: Cause and Treatment

1. Hairstyles

One of the major reasons behind hair root pain is your hairstyle. If you make a tight ponytail, bun, cornrows or tight braids as your hairstyle, then your scalp and hair may feel painful and tender. You will notice the discomfort after you take out the hairstyle at the end of the day.

Treatment: To help with this kind of pain of scalp and hair, you should keep altering your hairstyles. Avoid hairstyles that pull on the similar areas on the scalp. Also avoid making very tight hairstyles or those that pull on your hair.

2. Headaches

Your hair roots may also hurt due to headaches. The muscles of your scalp are contracted due to tension headaches, which may result in pain and tenderness of the scalp. This kind of pain usually begins at the back side of your head and gradually moves forward towards the forehead. Tension headaches may be associated with stress, depression, eye strain, grinding of your teeth, arthritis and keeping your head in a single position for long period.

Treatment: Hair root pain treatment of tension headaches requires adhering to a well-balanced and healthy diet, getting enough amount of sleep, drinking lots of fluids and reducing stress. If your headaches are not relieved by these interventions, you should visit a physician for further evaluation.

3. Fungal Infections

Scalp and hair discomfort may be caused by fungal infections such as ringworm of the scalp. The distinct sign of ringworm infection is a rash with formation of rings with hair loss. You may experience symptoms of redness, swelling, pain and crusting if the infection is not treated.

Treatment: Treatment of ringworm requires prescription of correct medicines from your physician. To prevent spreading the infection, you should not share combs, hats and brushes with other persons. You may also use a medicated shampoo and prevent the spread of the infection to other individuals.

4. Hair Loss

Pain or tenderness of scalp and hair may occur if you have hair loss due to childbirth, hormonal changes or chemotherapy.

Treatment: Hair root pain treatment in such cases depends upon the underlying cause behind the loss of hair. However, if there is sudden and unexpected discomfort in your scalp and hair loss, you should visit your physician immediately, so that any serious illnesses can be ruled out.

5. Head Injury or Trauma

Hair and scalp pain can occur due to head trauma or injury. This kind of pain usually occurs in the area where the head injury has occurred. The cause of injury or trauma to the head may be serious such as a fracture or it may be something less serious such as too tight pulling of the hair resulting in strain to both the scalp and the hair follicles.

Treatment: The pain is relieved when the injury to the scalp or head heals.

6. Serious Medical Illnesses

In more severe cases, pain in scalp and hair may occur due to brain tumors, hemorrhage and traumatic injuries to the brain. In such cases, hair and scalp pain accompanied with acute medical illnesses may result in debilitating and chronic complications such as brain damage, blindness or paralysis.

Treatment: If you suspect that the discomfort in your scalp and hair is caused due to a serious medical illness, you should visit and discuss with your physician. It is essential to diagnose and treat the underlying cause behind the pain on time so as to prevent further complications.

More Natural Hair Root Pain Treatment

  • Change the shampoo you are using currently. Harsh cleansers may be present in your shampoo that may dry your hair follicles and cause pain. Don’t use shampoos which contain sodium laureth sulfate. Instead use shampoos that have jojoba and wheat germ oil as they calm the skin surrounding the hair follicles.
  • Do oil massage into your scalp. Before you shampoo your hair, gently massage some non-scented eucalyptus or lavender oil into your scalp. Put a wet towel on your head and let the oil soak in the scalp for ten minutes before you shampoo your hair.
  • Prepare a large cup of chamomile tea. Let it cool. Thoroughly wet your hair and pour the chamomile tea on your scalp. Gently massage into the skin of your scalp. Rinse with cool water. Let the hair air dry. Shampoo them next morning.
  • Rinse your scalp and hair with cold water. Gently apply some hair conditioner onto the scalp. Place a towel on your head and allow the conditioner to remain on your scalp for ten minutes. Rinse with cold water. The conditioner and the cool water will soothe a burning and itchy scalp.
  • More home remedies, which can be applied for hair root pain treatment, include tea tree oil, lemon juice, aloe vera and baking soda. The home remedies mentioned have antifungal, antibacterial, acidic, moisturizing and antiseptic properties, which make them effective for fighting skin conditions, resulting in pain, tenderness and sensitivity in scalp.

Other methods to prevent or treat pain in scalp include:

  • Keep your hair and scalp clean so as to prevent buildup of sweat, dandruff and body oils.
  • Never scratch the skin of the scalp as this may result in secondary infections.
  • Comb or brush your hair regularly several times a day so as to allow flow of natural oils in your scalp.
  • Maintain proper personal hygiene. Do not share personal items such as pillow cases, towels, combs, hair brushes, sheets, etc. as sharing these may cause spread of viruses and bacteria.
  • Avoid anything that is oily.
  • Use products that do not cause allergies.
  • Eat a healthy and well-balanced diet.