Sore scalp

[Nenyath]

Hello you lovely people,

I could really use some advice. My hair is currently at mid- thigh, healthy enough to keep growing and look good, but my scalp has become really sore. I try to alternate my hairstyles, it is either bunned (Lazy Wrap or Nautilus), in a braid down my back, in a braid over my shoulder, or in two braids at either side. I used to do French braids, but my scalp turned too sore for that, and it has been a while. I try to keep it up to keep it from tangling (untangling is hard on my scalp as well), but all my styles seem to fail me one by one. I currently live in northern Greenland, so we get around minus 10- 25 degrees Celsius these days, and the air is very dry. I do a scalp wash every 3- 4 days with diluted shampoo and a ful length wash about once a month. I oil the ends regularly and I use a silk sleep cap when I sleep.

Is it the length that is getting to me, or is it the cold and dry weather?

Any help or advice would be tremendously appreciated!

I have put myself under the 3 week rule before I cut my hair back to waist or classic. Since I passed classic, I have struggled with updo's. I love to have it lose, but it gets everywhere and the detangling is a nightmare so it usually ends up in a bun, again. But I also love the length in a braid.

Thank you for being here!
- Stinne

[ReptilianFeline]

Does your scalp seem red as well, or just sore to the touch?

Did it start when it got cold, or was it like that before as well?

[Nenyath]

Good questions, the soreness seems to have been building, but it has worsened significantly over the last couple of months. The sorest part is directly at the back of my head but it is not red.

[OhSuzi]

um not that Ill be able to help much either way - but what sort of hurty is it?

Pulling ache from the weight, stingy / dry soreness / bruisey / burny - sore just to touch / sore al the time - is it red or itchy etc.


Try using hypoallergenic stuff in case you've randomly become allergic to your shampoo & conditioner? Make sure its moisturised - if there only patches of pain try mositurising them??

Wear a a wooly hat when you're outside to avoid windchill/cold / dry type burn? try thinking of ways to take the weight out of your hair whenever you can? Perhaps a loose low bun in a hair net at night ? - so the hair net is doing most the carrying? or loose plaits / bun piled on top of your head so weight is carried by the top of your head but theres no tightness or pulling on your scalp?

[OhSuzi]

if you do go for a cut. maybe try layers? I know alot of people on here always seem to be growing them out - but it might take some of the weight out of your hair but allow you to have it long overall?

[Ligeia Noire]

It could very well be the dry weather and the extreme cold. Does it hurt even if you wear it in a braid?

[lapushka]

Is it just hurting from a hairstyle, or can you see something where it hurts (redness, flaking, oozing, ...?) - if you're unsure please have someone else take a look. Maybe having a doctor check your scalp isn't bad; this can be your regular physician.

[Nenyath]

Thank you so much for your replies!


um not that Ill be able to help much either way - but what sort of hurty is it?

Pulling ache from the weight, stingy / dry soreness / bruisey / burny - sore just to touch / sore al the time - is it red or itchy etc.


Try using hypoallergenic stuff in case you've randomly become allergic to your shampoo & conditioner? Make sure its moisturised - if there only patches of pain try mositurising them??

Wear a a wooly hat when you're outside to avoid windchill/cold / dry type burn? try thinking of ways to take the weight out of your hair whenever you can? Perhaps a loose low bun in a hair net at night ? - so the hair net is doing most the carrying? or loose plaits / bun piled on top of your head so weight is carried by the top of your head but theres no tightness or pulling on your scalp?

It is sore to the touch, but also hurts when my hair pulls at it. I wear my hair in a silk nightcap at night, which takes the weight off of my scalp at least for those hours. Loose plaits pull, loose hair pulls, I can try a top knot again, but my success rate with those are rather low ;) I will consider the layers if I cut! I use a very mild shampoo made for people with allergies. As for the wooly hat, I am making myself a sealskin hat, that should take care of the cold at least!


It could very well be the dry weather and the extreme cold. Does it hurt even if you wear it in a braid?
I have a feeling it started as pull damage, and then got worse with the cold. Side braids used to be fine, but not any more.



Is it just hurting from a hairstyle, or can you see something where it hurts (redness, flaking, oozing, ...?) - if you're unsure please have someone else take a look. Maybe having a doctor check your scalp isn't bad; this can be your regular physician.
I had my boyfriend check it, there is nothing to see. My scalp can get a bit flaky, but that is it really.

[lapushka]

I had my boyfriend check it, there is nothing to see. My scalp can get a bit flaky, but that is it really.

Weird then though, right? Are you sure it's not from wearing your hair up into a different style? One that you're not so much used to, for instance?

[Nenyath]

Weird then though, right? Are you sure it's not from wearing your hair up into a different style? One that you're not so much used to, for instance?

I am pretty mystified myself. I have been alternating between buns, plait down my back and plait over my shoulder. When all those styles seemed to pull at my scalp, I did the twin side plaits, but rope and English. It has built up over some months, which is why I suspect the weight of my hair.

[Reservechic]

In order to best know what is truly going on with your scalp, that is something that honestly must be done face-to-face, with a medical professional. Which is why, I would recommend either consulting with your PCP or a dermatologist, as soon as possible. I have both skin and scalp disorders. I see a dermatologist for help with both. Because, when you can't accurately diagnose scalp issues, without being able to see a person's scalp up close. As, there are a number of scalp disorders out there that exist, and to rule out whether you truly have any one of them or not, you'd have to seek a professional's expert opinion towards such.

[Nenyath]

In order to best know what is truly going on with your scalp, that is something that honestly must be done face-to-face, with a medical professional. Which is why, I would recommend either consulting with your PCP or a dermatologist, as soon as possible. I have both skin and scalp disorders. I see a dermatologist for help with both. Because, when you can't accurately diagnose scalp issues, without being able to see a person's scalp up close. As, there are a number of scalp disorders out there that exist, and to rule out whether you truly have any one of them or not, you'd have to seek a professional's expert opinion towards such.

Thank you, I appreciate it. If the issue has not resolved itself by summer, I will definitely see a dermatologist, right now I live in a pretty isolated place lacking specialists (meaning that I would have to fly to get to a specialist, and pay much more than I can currently afford for plane tickets).

[browneyedsusan]

That is wierd? :confused:
My scalp got sore when I was growing, and trying to pin it up. (I'd worn it "down" for so many years, that moving the eye-poking bangs to the side with a bobby-pin gave me a splitting headache after about 10 minutes!) It took a long time to be able to tolerate moving my hair around.

If your hair is mid-thigh, you've had long hair for a while. I know that hair is pretty light, Spidermom weighed hers once and it was almost nil.
Try a top-knot? Heidi braids? That way, the weight will be on top, and not hanging off the back of your head?

I hope it subsides soon, or you get some answers from the Dr. when the weather breaks. :)

Keep us posted.

[ReptilianFeline]

Is it just your scalp that is sensitive?

Do you have headaches?

Do you clench your teeth when you sleep?

[lapushka]

I am pretty mystified myself. I have been alternating between buns, plait down my back and plait over my shoulder. When all those styles seemed to pull at my scalp, I did the twin side plaits, but rope and English. It has built up over some months, which is why I suspect the weight of my hair.

What do you wash with? Have you clarified recently. Could it be build-up on the scalp?

[Lizabeth94]

I have a super sensitive scalp too, are you prone to migraines by any chance? I get chronic migraines bad and thats why my scalp is sensitive.
I cut my hair years ago due to frustration that i couldn't wesr updos or french braids, trying to grow it out again even if it means i can only wear my hair down. Im hoping ill be able to tolerate crown braids or Heidi braids because ive never tried those before and they look gentle. If not, i probably cant grow much beyond classic or finger tip, its just not practical to have knee length hair for example when you cant put it up, and im sure there will be a point when even the weight hanging loose will bother me.

[Nenyath]

Thank you for all the replies, I had forgotten how much I used to love this place, very happy to be back!


That is wierd?
My scalp got sore when I was growing, and trying to pin it up. (I'd worn it "down" for so many years, that moving the eye-poking bangs to the side with a bobby-pin gave me a splitting headache after about 10 minutes!) It took a long time to be able to tolerate moving my hair around.

If your hair is mid-thigh, you've had long hair for a while. I know that hair is pretty light, Spidermom weighed hers once and it was almost nil.
Try a top-knot? Heidi braids? That way, the weight will be on top, and not hanging off the back of your head?

I hope it subsides soon, or you get some answers from the Dr. when the weather breaks.

Keep us posted.

Thank you, I hope it goes away soon too!

My scalp can get grumpy like that too whenever I try out a new updo, the top knot helped a bit for some hours today, but then it got uncomfortable. I have been trying Heidi braid lately, the first day was good, but then that also started to pull at my hair.


Is it just your scalp that is sensitive?

Do you have headaches?

Do you clench your teeth when you sleep?

I have occasional headaches, but I am not sure if it is related, I do have a tendency to clench my jaw and gnash my teeth at night though. Is it related?



What do you wash with? Have you clarified recently. Could it be build-up on the scalp?

I wash with this shampoo:
http://www.urtekram.com/products/body-care/hair/aloe-vera-shampoo-normal-hair-organic-250-ml

I dilute it about one to ten. My instincts tell me, that if I should clarify, this would be the shampoo to do it with, if not, I will try this one instead:
http://www.neutral.dk/product/detail/405457/shampoo

It is PH neutral to skin and hair, has 0% perfume, colour, or parabens and is approved for people with allergies.


I have a super sensitive scalp too, are you prone to migraines by any chance? I get chronic migraines bad and thats why my scalp is sensitive.
I cut my hair years ago due to frustration that i couldn't wesr updos or french braids, trying to grow it out again even if it means i can only wear my hair down. Im hoping ill be able to tolerate crown braids or Heidi braids because ive never tried those before and they look gentle. If not, i probably cant grow much beyond classic or finger tip, its just not practical to have knee length hair for example when you cant put it up, and im sure there will be a point when even the weight hanging loose will bother me.

Sorry to hear and good luck with the growing! Not migraines, occasional headaches, but I am not plagued by them. I have been able to do the French braid and even for a time crown braid, but as my hair has grown from on from classic, I have been able to less and less, and it is exactly why I, like you, would be tempted to cut my hair back to something like waist. I actually miss having it down.

[lapushka]

I wash with this shampoo:
http://www.urtekram.com/products/body-care/hair/aloe-vera-shampoo-normal-hair-organic-250-ml

I dilute it about one to ten. My instincts tell me, that if I should clarify, this would be the shampoo to do it with, if not, I will try this one instead:
http://www.neutral.dk/product/detail/405457/shampoo

It is PH neutral to skin and hair, has 0% perfume, colour, or parabens and is approved for people with allergies.

I know Urtekram and I know Neutral. I got SD from the Urtekram after a long while, because I have to use sulfates, but you can even dilute it?

I would make sure and use the other (Neutral) shampoo full strength one time, to see if it improves things.

[Nenyath]

I know Urtekram and I know Neutral. I got SD from the Urtekram after a long while, because I have to use sulfates, but you can even dilute it?

I would make sure and use the other (Neutral) shampoo full strength one time, to see if it improves things.

I have been away from LHC for too long, what is SD again? Seborrheic dermatitis? Since moving to Greenland I have noticed a change to my sebum, it used to be gunky stuff I could remove from my comb, now it covers the comb almost like dust, all dry. The air up here is very dry, the water is very soft, possibly with added chlorine.

Urtekram dilutes very well, one bottle has lasted me a good half year. I apply as much diluted shampoo it takes for it to lather. But I will go with Neutral next time, and maybe for a while.

Thank you for all your help!

[Carolyn]

I have had periodic sore scalp for years. It only happens once or twice a year and it always happened when I didn't wash my hair often enough. It would get really sore, as in painful to touch or brush my hair, and every single time it stopped being painful after I washed my hair. I have very oily sebum. I doubt we have the same type of soreness but I thought I would mention washing more often since no one else has.

I would think long and hard about getting layers if you like your hair in a single braid. Layers make braids a caterpiler-like mess. I grew my layers out so I could do a decent braid.

[Nenyath]

I have had periodic sore scalp for years. It only happens once or twice a year and it always happened when I didn't wash my hair often enough. It would get really sore, as in painful to touch or brush my hair, and every single time it stopped being painful after I washed my hair. I have very oily sebum. I doubt we have the same type of soreness but I thought I would mention washing more often since no one else has.

I would think long and hard about getting layers if you like your hair in a single braid. Layers make braids a caterpiler-like mess. I grew my layers out so I could do a decent braid.

I will give my hair a full wash tomorrow, and here I was stretching my washes to be gentle with my hair. That you for your help, it might just be what does the trick! I hear you on the layers, I do love my braids.

[lapushka]

I have been away from LHC for too long, what is SD again? Seborrheic dermatitis? Since moving to Greenland I have noticed a change to my sebum, it used to be gunky stuff I could remove from my comb, now it covers the comb almost like dust, all dry. The air up here is very dry, the water is very soft, possibly with added chlorine.

Urtekram dilutes very well, one bottle has lasted me a good half year. I apply as much diluted shampoo it takes for it to lather. But I will go with Neutral next time, and maybe for a while.

Thank you for all your help!

Yep, normally I always put seborrheic dermatitis in brackets but I must have forgotten.

I'd give it a go, for sure. :flower:

[enting]

~snip~
I have occasional headaches, but I am not sure if it is related, I do have a tendency to clench my jaw and gnash my teeth at night though. Is it related?

~snip~
Sorry to hear and good luck with the growing! Not migraines, occasional headaches, but I am not plagued by them. I have been able to do the French braid and even for a time crown braid, but as my hair has grown from on from classic, I have been able to less and less, and it is exactly why I, like you, would be tempted to cut my hair back to something like waist. I actually miss having it down.

Headaches and clenched jaws can indeed be related to scalp soreness!

I was actually wondering if you had any sort of neck pain or a history of nerve damage of any sort that might be underlying the soreness. Clenching teeth can set up tight muscles that can compress nerves and cause more pain in the jaw, neck, and head. For myself, whenever I am too cold my neck muscles tighten up from trying to shorten my neck like a turtle to get warmer which then sets up headaches. I could absolutely see how it could set up scalp tenderness too. Your hair length might be contributing if that's the case, because muscles and nerves that are already taxed or delicate are very sensitive to even small changes in pressure and weight.

That is to say, cutting your hair back might help, but only because your scalp and surrounding muscles and nerves may already be overly sensitive. Cutting back doesn't guarantee that those areas won't become even more sensitive with time and cause the shorter length to hurt you just as much. It sounds like the core issue is not the length itself, but whatever is causing you to be so sensitive to minor weight changes with increased length, and that's the thing that needs to be addressed more urgently.

[Nenyath]

Headaches and clenched jaws can indeed be related to scalp soreness!

I was actually wondering if you had any sort of neck pain or a history of nerve damage of any sort that might be underlying the soreness. Clenching teeth can set up tight muscles that can compress nerves and cause more pain in the jaw, neck, and head. For myself, whenever I am too cold my neck muscles tighten up from trying to shorten my neck like a turtle to get warmer which then sets up headaches. I could absolutely see how it could set up scalp tenderness too. Your hair length might be contributing if that's the case, because muscles and nerves that are already taxed or delicate are very sensitive to even small changes in pressure and weight.

That is to say, cutting your hair back might help, but only because your scalp and surrounding muscles and nerves may already be overly sensitive. Cutting back doesn't guarantee that those areas won't become even more sensitive with time and cause the shorter length to hurt you just as much. It sounds like the core issue is not the length itself, but whatever is causing you to be so sensitive to minor weight changes with increased length, and that's the thing that needs to be addressed more urgently.

I never knew, it could actually explain a lot! Last year I had a job where I commuted 3 hours a day, I am very alert in a car, and tensed up my shoulders and neck. That shoulder/neck ache really never left me, I have tried some stretches now and then, but I will have to be consequent with it to see if it can help my scalp! Thank you for the warning about a haircut not necessarily helping, it would have been a bit bitter.

[Nenyath]

Yep, normally I always put seborrheic dermatitis in brackets but I must have forgotten.

I'd give it a go, for sure. :flower:


My hair is now drying after a full strength, thorough washing with Neutral, hopefully that does the trick. Just out of curiosity, how is SD and sulphates connected?

[ReptilianFeline]

In Sweden we have "Vårdguiden" online 1177.se and I simply put in "hårbotten" in it and one of the things that popped up was "spänningshuvudvärk". Since you're Danish, Nenyath, I figured you could have some help even from a Swedish site :)

Lapushka uses sulfates to battle SD and it seems to be working very well for her.
Me, on the other hand, have ditched shampoos altogether and have a better scalp for it. So I think that my scalp issues were not SD-related but just a question of dry scalp that got dryer from shampoo.

Soft water and dry winter air... you might benefit from some light oiling of the scalp with coconut oil or aloe vera gel, but if you haven't tried that before, just do a test patch. From what I remember from soft water, is that it is very difficult to rinse out soap and shampoo with sulfates in them. It's been a long time since I washed my hair at the summer house, but I remember how different it felt compared to home with hard water. No wonder you can easily dilute even gentle shampoos.

[enting]

I never knew, it could actually explain a lot! Last year I had a job where I commuted 3 hours a day, I am very alert in a car, and tensed up my shoulders and neck. That shoulder/neck ache really never left me, I have tried some stretches now and then, but I will have to be consequent with it to see if it can help my scalp! Thank you for the warning about a haircut not necessarily helping, it would have been a bit bitter.

Sure thing. There's no guarantee that loosening up your neck will be the fix you need either, but it's important to rule that out as a factor.

If you can, try to look up self massage techniques for your neck, too. Sometimes stretches aren't enough all on their own, though being consistent with stretching is a good move. Either way, getting your neck and shoulders to loosen up can only be good for your general well being.

Something else that I have found for tense neck and shoulder muscles is heat. I wear a neck warmer almost constantly during the colder months. If I start getting a headache that is sometimes an indication that I'm too cold especially in that area. The sealskin hat sounds great for insulation. You may want to add a neck gaiter to it if you find that you also do better with a warmer neck. You also may not, after all, everything is YMMV!

(As a side point, tense neck muscles can restrict blood flow to your head, and we all know how much hair dislikes decreased blood flow. Health for the sake of vanity, yes!)

[lapushka]

My hair is now drying after a full strength, thorough washing with Neutral, hopefully that does the trick. Just out of curiosity, how is SD and sulphates connected?

You know, I have *no* idea. I think for SD it is important to keep the scalp squeaky clean and I think it is something about the detergents, they are the harshest on the market. If somehow I go sulfate-free or worse CO-wash, it all goes to hell in a heartbeat.

[Nenyath]

In Sweden we have "Vårdguiden" online 1177.se and I simply put in "hårbotten" in it and one of the things that popped up was "spänningshuvudvärk". Since you're Danish, Nenyath, I figured you could have some help even from a Swedish site :)

Lapushka uses sulfates to battle SD and it seems to be working very well for her.
Me, on the other hand, have ditched shampoos altogether and have a better scalp for it. So I think that my scalp issues were not SD-related but just a question of dry scalp that got dryer from shampoo.

Soft water and dry winter air... you might benefit from some light oiling of the scalp with coconut oil or aloe vera gel, but if you haven't tried that before, just do a test patch. From what I remember from soft water, is that it is very difficult to rinse out soap and shampoo with sulfates in them. It's been a long time since I washed my hair at the summer house, but I remember how different it felt compared to home with hard water. No wonder you can easily dilute even gentle shampoos.

Thanks, I will have a look at the website. I have been on this routine for so long, thought I had my hair all figured out. But I am back to experimenting I see, I will have to work out if it is a sensitive scalp, or SD. Though shampoo with sulfates sounds like a bad idea here, I spend a long time rinsing as it is.


Sure thing. There's no guarantee that loosening up your neck will be the fix you need either, but it's important to rule that out as a factor.

If you can, try to look up self massage techniques for your neck, too. Sometimes stretches aren't enough all on their own, though being consistent with stretching is a good move. Either way, getting your neck and shoulders to loosen up can only be good for your general well being.

Something else that I have found for tense neck and shoulder muscles is heat. I wear a neck warmer almost constantly during the colder months. If I start getting a headache that is sometimes an indication that I'm too cold especially in that area. The sealskin hat sounds great for insulation. You may want to add a neck gaiter to it if you find that you also do better with a warmer neck. You also may not, after all, everything is YMMV!

(As a side point, tense neck muscles can restrict blood flow to your head, and we all know how much hair dislikes decreased blood flow. Health for the sake of vanity, yes!)

If it helps with my scalp or not, it will still help for my neck, and that is enough on its own - health for the sake of vanity indeed! I most often wear a good scarf to keep my neck covered, otherwise I get cold fast.


You know, I have *no* idea. I think for SD it is important to keep the scalp squeaky clean and I think it is something about the detergents, they are the harshest on the market. If somehow I go sulfate-free or worse CO-wash, it all goes to hell in a heartbeat.

Just goes to show that one person's holy grail is another's hell. (Here meaning stretching washes and diluting shampoo/CO washing).

[lapushka]

Just goes to show that one person's holy grail is another's hell. (Here meaning stretching washes and diluting shampoo/CO washing).

Yes, I have come to learn it's largely a YMMV thing too. But keeping oils off skin is important for SD (it feeds the fungal overgrowth and does make it worse).

[enting]

Sulphur is good for treating all sorts of conditions (think sulfa drugs), so it could be that connection between sulphates and SD for some people.

[Nenyath]

Mini update; I washed my hair in Neutral, I have been doing gentle scalp massages and am working on my shoulders and neck as well, both with massages and stretches. While my shoulder and neck hurts more for it right now (I think it has just been sore for so long), my scalp seems to be doing better. I have it braided in a loose English braid down my back, and so far there is no pulling. Thank you for all your good suggestions, I will keep you updated.



Sulphur is good for treating all sorts of conditions (think sulfa drugs), so it could be that connection between sulphates and SD for some people.

That could make good sense!

[enting]

Mini update; I washed my hair in Neutral, I have been doing gentle scalp massages and am working on my shoulders and neck as well, both with massages and stretches. While my shoulder and neck hurts more for it right now (I think it has just been sore for so long), my scalp seems to be doing better. I have it braided in a loose English braid down my back, and so far there is no pulling. Thank you for all your good suggestions, I will keep you updated.




That could make good sense!

Soreness does happen when you start working on muscles. It's normal to be a bit sore for a few days, similar to exercising muscles that haven't been worked in a while. Take note if the soreness lasts longer than a few days, that may mean something is wrong, but otherwise this sounds normal and healthy :).
Do be sure to drink a bit extra water, too. Being dehydrated can make muscles cramp up, and especially after massaging sore muscles and getting blood flow going, the body seems to like having a bit of extra hydration.

[lapushka]

Mini update; I washed my hair in Neutral, I have been doing gentle scalp massages and am working on my shoulders and neck as well, both with massages and stretches. While my shoulder and neck hurts more for it right now (I think it has just been sore for so long), my scalp seems to be doing better. I have it braided in a loose English braid down my back, and so far there is no pulling. Thank you for all your good suggestions, I will keep you updated.

Maybe it was a build-up issue after all. :) I'm glad it's feeling better.

[Nenyath]

Soreness does happen when you start working on muscles. It's normal to be a bit sore for a few days, similar to exercising muscles that haven't been worked in a while. Take note if the soreness lasts longer than a few days, that may mean something is wrong, but otherwise this sounds normal and healthy .
Do be sure to drink a bit extra water, too. Being dehydrated can make muscles cramp up, and especially after massaging sore muscles and getting blood flow going, the body seems to like having a bit of extra hydration.


I figured it was all normal and healthy, I will make sure to drink plenty!


Maybe it was a build-up issue after all. :) I'm glad it's feeling better.

If nothing else, I am pretty sure build up has made it worse. Just happy it is better!

[Joyful Mystery]

My scalp got sore when I tried to stretch washes. Sore scalp might = wash it.

[Blue Mermaid]

Just chiming in- if I try to stretch washes the back of my head gets VERY sore- like agonizingly painful. Goes away after a thorough scrub with a strong shampoo. I have SD and my scalp does not like being dirty- I think the hair follicles get inflamed or something. Brushing/manipulating becomes agony.

[Nenyath]

My scalp got sore when I tried to stretch washes. Sore scalp might = wash it.

I will try to see what more frequent washing with non-diluted shampoo will do for my scalp!


Just chiming in- if I try to stretch washes the back of my head gets VERY sore- like agonizingly painful. Goes away after a thorough scrub with a strong shampoo. I have SD and my scalp does not like being dirty- I think the hair follicles get inflamed or something. Brushing/manipulating becomes agony.

Thanks for the input! I am not sure if I have SD or not, but the last wash has certianly helped things along. It was the back of my head that got the sorest too, detangling can be a nightmare!

[lapushka]

Just chiming in- if I try to stretch washes the back of my head gets VERY sore- like agonizingly painful. Goes away after a thorough scrub with a strong shampoo. I have SD and my scalp does not like being dirty- I think the hair follicles get inflamed or something. Brushing/manipulating becomes agony.

I know what you mean! I have SD too, and it sounds all too familiar. :o