Severe scalp pain

[Tyke1980]

I am begging for help.  I am a 30 year old female who has been having severe scalp pain for the past 9 months.  It feels like someone is pulling out my hair or acid was poured on it.  A few days ago, I went to get my hair cut to lessen the weight on my head and the barber caught her comb in a snarl and pulled a section of my hair very hard.  It feels like I was cut with a razor right where she pulled.  I can feel EXACTLY where she pulled out the few hairs.  It is severe and I don't know what is wrong.  This was 5 days ago and it hurts very bad.

I have seen several doctors for the scalp pain and they are still not sure what caused this or how to treat it.  The pain is enough to make me physically ill and not want to eat.  It brings me to tears every day.  Could she have damaged the nerves or follicles?  She said she didn't pull out any hair, but I think she did.  I have never felt this much pain before.  Please help me!  I am terrified and in SO much pain.

[Larristd]

Make sure you do go to Mayo or another tertiary care center.  Severe pain on the scalp would likely be nerve related, perhaps neuralgia, from shingles or herpes simplex, even if was quite awhile ago, this could persist.  Also, neuritis, as others above this comment have stated.  There are also inflammations of other arteries other than temporal which is very painful.  Make sure why they are trying to figure this out, they try Lyrica, Neurontin, or Topamax for your pain to see if works (helps nerve pain). BOTOX is used for migraines and perhaps could benefit this if it persists.  Also, nerves can be ablated if they can determine which one(s) are affected.  Good luck!  

TL

[Tyke1980]

Thank you all for your help and advice on this chronic issue.  I had an MRI done of my brain and neck and everything was normal.  They ruled out pinched nerves, MS and any other neurological disorders because of it being normal.  I am still in a great deal of pain and my sebborrheic dermatitis on the scalp is spreading and getting worse.  I use head and Shoulders daily.  I was also prescribed 2% Ketoconazole shampoo for my scalp but am terrified of it making my hair fall out or become dry and brittle...

Has anyone ever tried Keto shampoo (Nizoral)?

I would love to hear anymore thoughts on the scalp pain and also the seb derm.

Thanks again!

[sonaaulakh]

Dear Doctor,

I am having scalp pain since last 2-3 years and hair fall also since last 7-8 years. This time pain and hair fall has increased. I am afraid of this pain n hair fall. Please advice.

[eiwhitey]

I know this is an older post, but I want to tell my experience in hope that it helps someone.  I had a shooting pain in the back left portion of my head.  It was on and off for several years.  I also noticed that I would get bumps on my scalp that would bleed if I picked them off.  I thought these were unrelated issues, but I tried a new shampoo.  I went and got a bottle of Denorex shampoo (with Salicylic Acid as the active ingredient).  I used that everyday for about 3 months and then scaled back to 3-4 times a week.  That was over a year ago and I haven't had either the bumps on my scalp or the shooting pain to the back of my head.  I am not a doctor and if the pain is constant and overwhelming, I would certainly get it checked out by a professional.  But I also don't believe that every condition is solved by drugging people up with all kinds of prescriptions.  Give the shampoo a try and then see if you need more extreme measures.

[Tyke1980]

Thank you for still replying.  I still have the burning scalp and they still don't know what the cause is.  I was diagnosed with seborheic dermatitis about 3 months after the pain started.  I have been using medicated shampoos and prescription strength shampoos for about 2 1/2 years now.  I struggle to keep the seb derm at bay and have to use a variety of medicated shampoos daily to keep the itching and scaling down.  I still have the burning pain some days and they don't think the two are related at all.  I appreciate your reply and I just wanted to inform you that I have used Salycilic Acid shampoo but it did not lessen the pain.  Thanks!

[emmaee11]

I had suffered from scalp pain (like someone was pulling my hair) to scalp tingling with hair loss in the area of disomfort.  After years of tests and doctors and no conclusive diagnosis, I was advised to try a serious elimination diet to eliminate the possibility of food sensitivities.  The only thing I tested positive for was lactose and fructose intolerance, both in the sugar family. I tested negative for Celiac.   I followed the FODMAP elimination diet and within two weeks, noticed my scalp pain was gone.  Sugar in many forms (certain fruits, vegetables, flours, etc) flairs the symptoms for me as a result of my fructose malabsorption.  I have a limited diet, but I now able to know exactly what my triggers are and I havent fell this great in years. .  Consider it - it may or may not be your issue.  Google fructose malabsorption and see if anything resonates with you