A burning sensation on the scalp can range from a mild warmth to intense pain. Various underlying factors, including common skin conditions, nerve-related issues, and external influences, can contribute to this sensation.
Inflammatory Skin Conditions
Common dermatological conditions frequently cause inflammation on the scalp, which can manifest as a burning sensation. Seborrheic dermatitis, often recognized as severe dandruff, is a widespread skin disease leading to inflamed, scaly, and sometimes oily skin, particularly in areas with many oil-producing glands like the scalp. Alongside flaking and itching, burning is a common symptom of seborrheic dermatitis. This condition can also cause redness and skin lesions.
Psoriasis, an autoimmune disease, can also affect the scalp, causing red patches, silvery-white scales, and intense itching or soreness. When inflamed, scalp psoriasis can cause a distinct burning sensation. Folliculitis, an inflammation of the hair follicles, and chronic contact dermatitis, a persistent skin reaction to an irritant or allergen, are other conditions that can cause scalp burning due to sustained inflammation. These inflammatory processes irritate the skin’s nerve endings, leading to the sensation of burning.
Reactions to Hair Products and Treatments
Hair products and chemical treatments frequently cause burning sensations on the scalp. These reactions typically involve irritant or allergic contact dermatitis. Irritant contact dermatitis occurs when a substance directly damages the skin’s outer layer, causing immediate irritation, redness, and a burning or stinging sensation. This can happen with shampoos, conditioners, or styling products that contain harsh chemicals.
Allergic contact dermatitis involves an immune system response to an allergen, which typically requires prior exposure to develop a reaction. Hair dyes, especially those containing para-phenylenediamine (PPD), are a common cause. Symptoms of allergic reactions can include redness, itching, swelling, and burning, sometimes appearing up to 48 hours after exposure. Perms, relaxers, and bleaching agents can also trigger such reactions.
Nerve-Related Sensations
Burning sensations on the scalp can also originate from issues directly affecting the nerves. Occipital neuralgia is a condition where the occipital nerves, which run through the scalp, become inflamed or injured. This can lead to sharp, stinging, or burning sensations, often starting at the back of the head and radiating over the scalp, sometimes accompanied by pain behind the eye.
Trigeminal neuralgia, while primarily affecting the face, can also cause sharp, throbbing, or burning sensations that extend to the scalp. This condition involves irritation of the trigeminal nerve, and attacks can be triggered by light touch, talking, or even a cool breeze. These neuropathic pains are characterized by nerve irritation or damage, leading to abnormal pain signals. Sometimes, a condition known as trichodynia or burning scalp syndrome, characterized by burning and itching without obvious physical findings, is linked to hypersensitive scalp nerves.
Environmental and Other Factors
Other factors can contribute to a burning sensation on the scalp. Sunburn is a common cause, occurring when the scalp is exposed to excessive ultraviolet (UV) light, leading to redness, pain, tenderness, and a burning feeling. Individuals with thinner hair are particularly susceptible to scalp sunburn. Severe cases can even result in blistering.
Stress and anxiety can also play a role in scalp sensitivity, sometimes exacerbating existing conditions or contributing to a psychosomatic burning sensation. Certain autoimmune conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis or dermatomyositis, can also cause scalp inflammation, itching, and a burning sensation.