Scalp Issues, bad habits, etc

[GlacierLacie]

I know there are a few threads about this topic but none seem to help my situation..

I have a bad habit of running my fingertips on my scalp..... like all day. I started this because i get random sores on various parts of my scalp and i started to pick at them. I never thought about it until recently.. when i was younger i had very thick hair and now it has become very thin. Could this be due to clogged pores and not washing enough? Theres sometimes when im brushing my hair and i get to my scalp that it's so itchy that i press my brush against my scalp rather harshly. I don't think it is my water, as I've lived in the same city for 21 years now.

I've started using a clarifying shampoo every now and then to remove buildup, it seems to help but I still get sores. Perhaps I should try a new clarifying shampoo? I know I need to stop the habit of playing with my hair, perhaps im putting more dirt on my scalp by doing it. Has anyone ever had this problem? How did you handle it?

[The-Young-Maid]

How often are you currently washing? How often were you washing while your hair was thick? Washing frequency can absolutely have an effect on scalp health. I've experienced it myself. I used to wash daily then began stretching to once a week. My scalp was terribly itchy, oily and sore. I lost probably half my thickness. When I began washing 2x per week the symptoms lessened. I now wash daily and have been for 2+ years and I have a ton of new growth from around that time.

It could also be from the shampoo you're using. What shampoo do you normally use? The clarifying one is probably fine. I cannot use creamy/pearlescent shampoos because they are too moisturizing and leave residue on my scalp which causes hair loss for me.

I used to scratch at my scalp all day because of how uncomfortable it was. But now that my scalp is happy I don't need to. I think you just need to work out your scalp problem and don't worry about running your hands through it at this point.

If nothing seems to be helping it's very important to talk to your doctor.

[MusicalSpoons]

One of the hardest things might be just leaving the spots and sores alone - perpetuating them might be the main things keeping them going, even if everything else is fine. If nothing else, if you can leave them alone, you'll then be able to gauge exactly how effective any other changes are.

I've been there with scabs and dry flakes (from almost every shampoo being too harsh for my scalp and dehydrating it) and leaving them alone was almost as long a battle as finding the right shampoo!

[Laurab]

Perhaps switching to a dandruff shampoo would help?
you could try just head and shoulders to start, and if that doesn't work try selsun blue.

[lapushka]

If you have sores on your scalp and you have lost considerable thickness, you need to visit a doctor! Honestly, a product is not going to magically undo this if you don't know what is causing it.

For all you know it might be deficiencies in your blood (certain vitamins) that cause the hair loss. Might also be hormonal - how old are you? Puberty? Menopausal? Pregnancies?

I would call for an appointment asap. Things like this aren't normal and need to be addressed by someone qualified.

[Shorty89]

I sometimes get sore, weepy spots, or just sore spots from my scalp eczema, especially when it gets cold and dry outside. It could be something like eczema or psoriasis. I second the suggestion to visit a doctor.

[Positivitea]

I think for this you need to go to a doctor. Maybe you can think about what has changed in your routine that might be related to these sores. Maybe you're using a shampoo with agressive ingredients? Or maybe a difference in washing frequency?
To me, (and I'm by no means a doctor, so take this with a big grain of salt) it sounds like psoriasis. I know people who had the same symptoms as yours and the neutrogena t/sal really helped.

[GlacierLacie]

If you have sores on your scalp and you have lost considerable thickness, you need to visit a doctor! Honestly, a product is not going to magically undo this if you don't know what is causing it.

For all you know it might be deficiencies in your blood (certain vitamins) that cause the hair loss. Might also be hormonal - how old are you? Puberty? Menopausal? Pregnancies?

I would call for an appointment asap. Things like this aren't normal and need to be addressed by someone qualified.

I wouldn't say that i've lost my thickness in a short time period, more like as I've gotten older. I'm 21 right now but it's definitely quite a change. I don't see a dermatologist at the moment but I will keep it in mind

[Nox_Inber]

When I used shampoo bars for months on end I started getting horrible, itchy acne all over my scalp especially once summer hit. Switching to a sulfate shampoo and using conditioner only on the length has helped immensely. You said a clarifying shampoo helped, so that makes me think your current shampoo isn't strong enough. Or maybe you're allergic to something in what you're currently using?

I wash every other day and use citric acid as my final rinse to combat the hard water since it gives me hair and skin problems. Stretching washes simply doesn't work for me, so don't feel like you have to do that for healthy hair! It still might be worth seeing if you have a fungal or bacterial infection on your scalp if it's sores though. Best of luck to you! I hope you find some relief soon

[Natalina]

I've an issue with scratching/touching my scalp too, but not because my scalp is unhealthy rather it's one of my ways to cope with anxiety.

I used to have scalp issues though, I found out that my scalp is sensitive to silicones. This led me to really pay attention to the ingredients of my shampoos (conditioners are fine since I don't put them on my scalp), and surprisingly, even some so-called "clarifying" and "cone-free" shampoos still contains them.

So maybe check all your shampoo ingredients and see if it contains them, including your regular and clarifying shampoos. And if they do, try using a cone-free one and see if it makes any difference. Good luck!