Trichodynia - Causes and Symptoms

Definition

Trichodynia is a disorder characterized by persistent discomfort or pain in the scalp. This feeling can be more or less intense and can occur at times or become chronic.

Trichodynia is classified among the allodinias, that is among those disorders in which the cutaneous pain appears in the absence of well identifiable external factors or is caused by generally harmless stimuli.

Pain is usually perceived at the root of the hair and can be spontaneous or evoked by contact; some subjects report a painful sensation even to simply combing or stroking their hair. Sometimes, trichodynia can be accompanied by burning, tingling or itching of the head.

Regarding the causes, the reduced activation threshold of nociceptors spread throughout the scalp (epidermis, dermis and hypodermis) plays a fundamental role. According to the most accredited thesis, the trigger that would activate these nerve endings would be an inflammation of the skin or hair follicle.

In almost all cases, however, trichodynia signals a hair health problem and accompanies or precedes other dermatological situations, such as telogen effluvium. Stress, emotional tensions and anxiety are often associated with the onset of pain and itching of the head; these symptoms, in turn, are often concomitant with increased hair loss (stress or psychogenic alopecia).

Another factor relevant to the onset of trichodynia is the quality and quantity of sebum. In some cases, sebaceous hypersecretion can develop into seborrheic dermatitis causing scalp irritation. Even dandruff, especially when associated with seborrhea (oily dandruff) can hinder follicular activity and cause trichodynia.

Other possible causes are scalp folliculitis or acne.

The pain and itching of the scalp can also derive from inflammation of the erector muscles of the hair, especially when the hair is forced into non-natural positions (eg when hairstyles are too tight or too traumatic for wearing hair or when wearing a helmet) ).

Finally, tricodynia may be the result of neuro-muscular hyper-stressing of the skin induced in time by bruxism, ie the tendency to grind the teeth, especially during sleep.