Trichodynia - Pain in the Scalp

to the head.

The origin of scalp pain is attributed to an inflammation of the hair follicles that can be favored or aggravated by various conditions, such as telogen effluvium, alopecia, psycho-physical stress and dermatological diseases (acne, seborrheic dermatitis, folliculitis, etc.) .

, that is, a sensation of chronic discomfort, felt on the surface of the scalp. This manifestation can be sporadic or chronic.

Trichodynia can be felt as pain, burning, tingling or itching. Sometimes, the sense of discomfort in the scalp is evoked simply by combing or stroking the hair.

activation of nociceptors spread throughout the scalp (epidermis, dermis and hypodermis). According to the most accredited thesis, the trigger that would activate these nerve endings would be an inflammation of the skin or of the hair follicle, the etiology of which has not yet been fully clarified.

According to some interpretations, trichodynia accompanies the telogen phase, that is the terminal period of the hair life cycle and therefore could be a symptom of the thinning of the scalp (note: if pathological, we speak of alopecia). Trichodynia is more common in women, twice as affected than in men.