I HAVE LITTLE BUMPS IN MY HEAD AND MY HEAD ITCHES, WHAT COULD THAT BE? IT USUALLY HAPPENS AFTER I HAVE BEEN IN THE SUN SWEATING.


Itchy bumps on the scalp are usually a result of an infection on the skin of the scalp or at the root of the hair follicle. The root secretes oil from a sebaceous gland. The inflammation usually occurs when scalp, which secretes sebum, encounters environmental factors like heat, dust, and chemicals. That’s what leads to infections. These infections appear by the way of bumps of the scalp.

The causes of such bumps can be many different infections or skin conditions. Some of the main ones that are usually suspected are:

  • Acne: When the hair roots get infected with dirt, small bumps rise. These bumps can easily spread bacterial infection across the scalp. Acne can spread very quickly if not contained.
  • Folliculitis: Bumps from this infection are also caused by a bacterial infection. These bumps are usually red and painful to touch.
  • Hives: Itchy, red bumps that appear suddenly are usually allergic reactions to some environmental factor or something you may have consumed. Antihistamines usually help contain the spread of hives.
  • Cysts: Cysts also appear as bumps and are filled with infectious white pus-like substance. Cysts tend to get treated only with surgery.
  • Dermatitis: Dermatitis is when the skin on the scalp erupts with inflammation and boils. The susceptibility of such infection to spread across the scalp is very high. Often dermatitis is a symptom of something bigger.
  • Parasitical infection: Lice and mites can also infections on the scalp which cause red itchy bumps.  This infection needs immediate attention as these parasites are very infectious.
  • Infections; Bacterial infections like psoriasis, chicken pox or ringworm can cause such red, itchy bumps. These bumps tend be infectious and can rapidly spread infection to other parts of the body.
  • Skin Cancer: Any additional growth on the body, including red bumps on the scalp, need to be tested for skin, especially if any other cause is not causing the bumps.
Basic treatment for these bumps includes creams and medications. For specialised infections, different course of treatments are needed. If the bumps on your head or scalp do not heed to these treatments, you need to ensure that a detailed examination is done to determine the cause of the red, itchy bumps.

It’s important to not treat these bumps lightly. You may pass off the bumps as bug bites but it is a good idea to the doctor to see these bumps. For conditions like skin cancer, an early diagnosis can make all the difference for healing these bumps.

Reference:
  1. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000963.htm
  2. http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Dandruff_and_itching_scalp

answered by K C


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