Constant itchy scalp?

Question

What could be causing my scalp to itch and my hair to break-off in certain areas?

I am african-american and get a relaxer. For the past 1 1/2 year or so, that my scalp itches and there is hair breakage in that same area. This is happening in the crown of my head, in that top region, and the hair is very brittle, dry and thin in that area. Right after I get a relaxer my scalp is usually dry, but my scalp feels completely different – that is until three or four weeks later and it’s time for a new relaxer. The new growth always feels dry and coarse. Then my scalp starts itching all over, but the difference is I can soothe the itch with one scratch in most areas. But in the center of my head and a small area next to the center, it just continues to itch. When I scratch it makes the itch worse. It will stop for a minute or two and then it just keeps itching.

When I part my hair in the crown area, I see all sorts of uneven strands of hair and they are thin and brittle. I also have an area at the very bottom/sides that itches off and on. But that usually goes away in a few days. What could this be? What can I use to stop it?

Answer 1

I suggest you go and talk to your doctor about it.

Could it be dandruff causing your head to itch?

It sounds like eczema.. but i've never heard of eczema forming on the scalp before :S

Sorry i'm of no help,

i really do advise seeing your doctor!

Answer 2

Your itchy scalp could be one of two things, or very likley both. Especially if you havesensitivee skin. Your scalp may be reacting to the chemicals in the relaxer you're using or you may have a dry scalp from the chemicals and/or from the air. Try using a good quality deep conditioner ( I really like infusium 23, but you can use whatever you like) and drink tons of water for your scalp. If the extra moisture helps, if you have a night to yourself putting oil on your scalp (trying not to get it in your hair too much) and then letting it sit for a while REALLY helps. Baby oil works find. and then after an hour or however long you can stand to wait (the longer the better) wash your hair a few times. Make sure you aren't using any harsh shampoos. This may seem gross to you, but whipping up a few eggs and putting them in your hair letting it sit for a while is really great for it too. The new hair that comes in that is dry and course and the thin brittle hair on the crown of your head is most likely because of the harsh chemicals as well. That is what happens when your hair becomes damaged. If you are willing to, the best thing you can do is stop getting your hair relaxed and let your hair grow in the way it is naturally. I have a friend who kept dying her hair every month or so, and got a perm once. Her hair eventually went very dry, started getting a bit frizzy where it had just grown in (and she's half white half aboriginal..she's not supposed to have frizzy hair..) and then her hair started to fall out. She had bald spots ranging in sizes from a dime to the size of the top of a can of pop. If you don't stop chemically treating your hair that could happen to you too.    If you go to a doctor or someone about it and they say you are getting dandruff or psoriasis use a tar shampoo. You can buy tar shampoo at almost any hair salon.