There can be tons of reasons why you have scabs on your scalp. While it could be something as harmless as having an oily scalp, it could also be an indication of a more serious condition like eczema or psoriasis. So, you need to zero in on the exact cause of the scabs before you start treating them.
Oily Scalp: People who have an oily scalp are prone to getting dandruff. This itchy dandruff can make you scratch your head, which, in turn, can cause scabs.
Seborrheic Dermatitis (Dandruff): Dandruff is extremely common and can be quite embarrassing. What a lot of people don’t know is that it is caused by a skin condition called seborrheic dermatitis. The symptoms of this condition include itching, flaking, and scabbing on the scalp. Despite this, seborrheic dermatitis is not contagious and can be treated easily with over-the-counter drugs or prescription medication (in severe cases).
Scalp Psoriasis: Psoriasis is a chronic skin condition that occurs when you have an overactive immune system. It causes thick red patches that are covered with silver grey scales and form on certain parts of your body. When these psoriasis patches appear on your scalp, they can form scabs.
Lichen Planopilaris: If you see red or purple bumps starting to appear on your scalp that form scabs, then you could have lichen planopilaris. Lichen planopilaris is an inflammatory condition that can cause scaling and redness around your hair follicles and, eventually, lead to a scarring alopecia (hair loss). The red and purple bumps that are a symptom of this condition can form scabs.
Head Lice: Everyone knows that head lice are the worst. They are highly contagious and need to be addressed ASAP. Besides sucking the literal lifeblood out of you and being a pain to get rid of, they also cause a ton of itching. Persistently scratching your head can cause you to wound your skin that can then form scabs.
Shingles: If you (like me) were led to believe that you can get chicken pox only once in your life, I have some bad news for you. The virus that is responsible for chicken pox can stay dormant in your body and get reactivated to cause shingles. The small yellow blisters caused by shingles can also appear on your scalp and crust over to form scabs.
Eosinophilic Folliculitis: Now this is a more serious condition that affects people who have HIV/AIDS. Eosinophilic folliculitis is a skin condition that is characterized by itchy, pus-filled sores on your skin and scalp that can form scabs when they heal.
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