Many factors can affect the skin, which goes through a healing process when damaged by wounds, burns or other injuries. In this process, where the damaged skin regenerates, scabs appear, a kind of structure or tissue that forms on top of the injury to speed up the healing process. The scabs can be found in any wound produced in any part of the body, including the head or scalp.
However, why do scabs appear on the head? When this type of tissue has arisen on the scalp on an occasional basis, we should not worry since it can even arise simply from a scratching wound. But instead, if we have scabs usually accompanied by other adverse symptoms, it would be convenient for us to know if it is something more serious.
Folliculitis on the scalp
One of the reasons why scabs appear on the head may be because you suffer from folliculitis, a skin condition that causes inflammation in the hair follicles. Folliculitis is usually a disease caused by a bacterial infection, although it also has other causes such as the accumulation of fungi on the head or scalp or having ingrown hairs . According to the Mayo Clinic, you are also more vulnerable to developing this skin condition due to other risk factors such as being prone to acne, taking certain medications such as steroids, or having a weakened immune system, among others.
To know if the scabs are due to this condition, it is important that you observe if you have any of the following symptoms of folliculitis :
- Appearance of blisters filled with pus that later open and end up becoming scabs.
- Appearance of red bumps or pimples around the affected hair follicles.
- Pain and burning sensation in the head.
- Sensitivity in the hair follicles.
- Itchy skin.
- Swollen bumps on the head.
Scabs on the head due to seborrheic dermatitis
Among other conditions that produce scabs on the head we find seborrheic dermatitis. This skin disorder can affect different areas of the body such as the face or chest, but it is the scalp where this skin disease usually occurs.
Although the exact causes of seborrheic dermatitis are not known, according to the Medlineplus medical encyclopedia, it may be related to some risk factors such as stress, obesity, being prone to acne or oily skin, consuming alcohol or having a nervous disorder like Parkinson's disease.
Seborrheic dermatitis can be your answer to why scabs appear on the head, as long as the following typical symptoms of seborrheic dermatitis occur :
- Scaly lesions on the scalp.
- Patches on the skin covered with scabs.
- Flakes of skin or dandruff. It can be white with dry flaking or yellowish and somewhat greasy.
- Redness of the skin.
- Appearance of itching (they can produce more itching in the event that they become infected).
- Loss of hair.
If you are wondering what the cure or treatment for seborrheic dermatitis is, we tell you that it is best to follow your doctor's advice, but we also recommend using remedies that you always have to consult with your doctor before applying and use them as support for treatment. prescribed.
Psoriasis, one of the causes of why scabs appear on the head
Another cause of the development of scabs on the scalp is psoriasis, a skin disease that is characterized by the appearance of itching on the head due to the fact that cell turnover is carried out too quickly (in people with psoriasis it occurs in a matter of days while than in a person without this disease for a month), so the cells that accumulate on the surface of the skin produce these lesions.
As in the previous disease, psoriasis does not have a specific cause that causes it. However, some factors can increase the risk of suffering from it, such as tobacco or alcohol consumption, frequently suffering from skin infections, vitamin insufficiency or taking certain medications.
If you suspect that the scabs on your head may be due to this skin condition, you should observe if you suffer from the following symptoms of psoriasis :
- Red spots on the skin.
- Thick, silvery scales and crusts.
- Very dry and cracked skin that can even bleed.
- Headache and feeling of inflammation.
- Itching, pain and burning of the affected skin.
Scabs on the head due to chickenpox
Chicken pox can also be one of the possible causes why scabs appear on the head . Chickenpox is a skin disease caused by a viral infection that is usually characterized by causing skin rashes such as fluid-filled blisters and red pimples.
According to the Mayo Clinic, this disease is caused by the varicella zoster virus and is usually easily spread by direct contact with the affected person's skin. In addition, it is also more likely to suffer from this skin condition if you meet some factors such as never having had this disease, not being vaccinated against it or working and/or living with children.
Among the symptoms of chickenpox we find:
- Appearance of papules or granites of reddish tone.
- Fluid-filled blisters that later break and turn into scabs.
- Fever.
- Tiredness.
- Feeling unwell.
- Headache.
- loss of appetite
