itchy scalp

my 8 year old (african american) daughter has extreme itching to her scalp whenever anyone gets ready to touch her hair. Also i noticed that her scalp is always dry and she has some small white bumps around her edges with some hair loss. does anyone know what this could possibly be, and what i can try to combat this?

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
It can be due to contact dermatitis or tinea capitis. The symptoms of Ringworm or Tinea Capitis include a dry itchy scalp, scaling, crusting, inflamed nodules, hair loss and tender enlarged lymph nodes on the neck. My sincere advice is to get it evaluated from a dermatologist to confirm the diagnosis.

It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your dermatologist. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.