What Are Sores and Scabs?
Scalp scabs, blisters, and pimples can be unpleasant, itchy, and irritating. The majority of scabs and sores on the scalp are harmless and heal on their own or with the use of over-the-counter (OTC) medications. While you may be inclined to scratch or pick at them for relief, this might make them worse or lead to infection. Scabs on the scalp can sometimes be a serious problem that necessitates medical attention. Here are some of the most major causes of scalp scabs and sores, as well as how to treat them and when to seek medical help.
Here are some of the most major causes of scalp scabs and sores, as well as how to treat them and when to seek medical help.
Contact Dermatitis
An itchy, red rash caused by direct touch with irritants or allergens is known as contact dermatitis. Scratching the rash on the scalp might result in open sores and scabs. Many products contain components or compounds that might cause contact dermatitis, including scents, soaps, shampoos, cosmetics, and plants.
How to Treat Contact Dermatitis
Moisturizer
Lotions and creams can help heal dry, cracked skin by acting as a barrier. To keep the rash from growing worse, choose a fragrance-free, hypoallergenic product.
Oatmeal Baths
Soothing a rash with a lukewarm oatmeal soak can help. Itching and discomfort can be relieved by adding oats to your bathwater.
Cool Compresses
Cool compresses can help relieve the itch, sting, and burn caused by the rash for a short period of time. Several times a day, apply a cold, damp cloth to the rash for 10 to 15 minutes. If home remedies do not work, your doctor may prescribe medication to alleviate your symptoms.
Antibiotics
Scratching open sores on the scalp can lead to bacterial infection, which may require antibiotic treatment.
Corticosteroids
You can apply these drugs topically to the skin to relieve itching. You may also take it orally to lessen inflammation.
Antihistamines
These drugs help to lessen the rash’s inflammation and swelling.
Lice
Head lice are wingless insects that feed on blood and reside on the scalp of humans. Something moving on your scalp may indicate that you have head lice. Lice bites on your scalp can also cause itching. Scratching your head, even if it is itchy, can result in sores and scabs on the scalp. Head lice can’t transmit bacterial disease, but irritation can cause scabs on the scalp, which leads to infection.
How to Treat Head Lice
Lice on the head are extremely contagious. If you or someone in your household has lice, it’s critical to get rid of them as soon as possible. Here are a variety of ways to treat head lice.
OTCs
Over-the-counter (OTC) shampoos containing pyrethrin or permethrin are used as the first line of treatment. If you use these goods, follow the guidelines on the label. If the over-the-counter remedies are ineffective, your doctor may prescribe shampoos with alternative chemicals. Oral prescription medications, such as oral ivermectin, are used to treat lice infestations that have failed to react to over-the-counter therapies.
Topical Prescription
Drugs such as Malathion can be rubbed into the scalp and administered directly to the hair.
If you or someone in your home has lice, you should wash all bedding, clothing, and furniture in hot water and dry them on high heat. To kill lice and their eggs, soak all hairbrushes and combs in hot water (130°F).
Psoriasis
Psoriasis is a long-term, chronic inflammatory skin illness that affects the elbows, knees, trunk, and scalp most commonly. It causes broad patches of gray or silver scabs to form on the skin that don’t itch. Psoriasis on the scalp can take the form of flaky particles or thick, crusty plaques.
How to Treat Psoriasis
Treatment for psoriasis is determined by the severity of the condition. Mild forms of scalp psoriasis can be treated with a medicated shampoo that minimizes skin overgrowth and relieves irritation. You can also use over-the-counter medicinal shampoos that contain salicylic acid and coal tar to help remove extra skin which relieves inflammation and slows the growth of skin cells. If you have a more severe case of psoriasis, or if OTC treatments have not worked for you, you may require additional treatment. Among these treatments are:
Light Therapy
The first-line treatment for moderate to severe scalp psoriasis is light therapy, which involves exposing the skin to controlled doses of natural or artificial light.
Oral or Injectable Drugs
Corticosteroids, methotrexate, and biologics are examples of oral or injectable drugs that can help decrease the growth of skin cells, reduce inflammation, or control an overactive immune system.
Topical Solutions
Medicated shampoos, topical steroids, and tars reduce inflammation and swelling while slowing skin growth.
Seborrheic Dermatitis
Seborrheic dermatitis is a common scalp skin disorder affecting the sebaceous glands. It creates oily patches of skin coated in irritating white or yellow crusty, powdery particles. Scratching these places can result in scalp scabs.
How to Treat Seborrheic Dermatitis
OTC shampoos (e.g. Selsun Blue, T/Gel) that contain components that help cure the condition may help control and remove seborrheic dermatitis. Also, to minimize the dry, crusty patches, apply mineral oil or olive oil to your scalp, let it sit for one hour, then comb or brush it out. If home cures and over-the-counter medications don’t work, your doctor may prescribe medicated shampoos or ointments to apply straight to the scalp to relieve inflammation. If topical therapies don’t work, your doctor may prescribe a pill-based antifungal prescription.
Eosinophilic Folliculitis
Eosinophilic folliculitis is a skin and scalp disorder characterized by recurring itchy, red, or skin-colored bumps and pustules (pus-filled bumps) that scab over. Scalp scabs can spread and reoccur. It is not contagious and is most commonly diagnosed in people with late-stage human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
How to Treat Eosinophilic Folliculitis
The treatment for eosinophilic folliculitis varies depending on the severity of the condition and the individual’s response to previous medications. Treatment options for the condition include:
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs)
- Dapsone (antibiotic)
- Steroids, both topical and oral
- Phototherapy (light therapy)
Eczema
Eczema most commonly affects visible parts of the skin, but it can also affect areas that are difficult to see, such as the top of your head. Itchy, dry, red, and inflamed skin on the scalp, as well as a burning feeling, are all symptoms of scalp eczema. Although scalp eczema does not cause scabbing, scratching itchy areas of your scalp can produce skin wounds, which can lead to scabbing.
How to Treat Eczema
Although there is no cure for scalp eczema, treatments can help alleviate symptoms. To relieve itchiness and remove flaky, scaly skin from the scalp, try using a medicated, over-the-counter shampoo. If OTC products aren’t working for your severe scalp eczema, your doctor may prescribe products with higher doses of the ingredients. They may also prescribe immune-suppressing medications such as corticosteroids, ciclopirox, sodium sulfacetamide, or other drugs.
Shingles
The varicella (herpes) zoster virus causes a painful skin rash known as shingles. The virus produces a stinging rash with blisters that open and scab over. Shingles can cause headaches, fever, chills, and an upset stomach, in addition to the rash. The shingles rash is most commonly found on the face and body, but blisters can form on the scalp, making brushing or combing your hair painful.
How to Treat Shingles
Although there is no cure for shingles, medication can help to reduce symptoms and shorten the duration of the outbreak. The following medications are frequently prescribed for shingles:
- Antiviral treatments (e.g., Valtrex, Zovirax)
- Medication for pain
- Topical therapies
Now that you Know…
Scabs can indicate a skin condition or disease. While you can treat many causes at home, you must first determine what is causing your scabs in order to use the proper treatment. Follow all of your doctor’s recommendations, including taking medications as directed, to help the scabs heal and reduce the risk of complications.
