Scalp Dysesthesia: A Study on Chronic Pain and Itchiness

    March 1998 in “ Archives of Dermatology
    Diane M. Hoss, Samantha Segal
    Image of study
    TLDR Antidepressants may improve or resolve scalp dysesthesia in most patients.
    In the 1998 study on scalp dysesthesia, Diane Hoss, MD, and Samantha Segal, MD, investigated 11 women aged 36 to 70 years who suffered from chronic pain and/or itchiness of the scalp without any visible physical symptoms. The duration of their symptoms ranged from 9 months to 7 years. Five of the women had diagnosed psychiatric disorders, and stress appeared to trigger or worsen the condition in seven cases. Treatment with low-dose antidepressants, such as doxepin hydrochloride or amitriptyline hydrochloride, resulted in symptom improvement or complete resolution in eight patients. One patient initially responded to sertraline and hydroxyzine hydrochloride but later relapsed. The study suggested that scalp dysesthesia might be a distinct syndrome that could respond to antidepressant medications, with a majority of the patients (nine out of eleven) experiencing positive outcomes.
    Discuss this study in the Community →

    Related Community Posts Join

    6 / 1000+ results

      community I have tried many treatments but it's getting worse. 23M.

      in Treatment  87 upvotes 7 months ago
      A 23-year-old male experiencing worsening hair loss has tried topical Minoxidil, Finasteride, Progesterone, Hydrocortisone butyrate, and Ketoconazole. He is considering switching to oral Finasteride due to concerns about side effects and lack of improvement.
      Scalp irritation leading to hair loss

      community Scalp irritation leading to hair loss

      in General  68 upvotes 1 day ago
      The user is experiencing scalp irritation and hair thinning, possibly due to stress, with red patches on the face and dry skin. They are considering seeing a dermatologist and have used tea tree and rosemary oil.

      community Scalp Biopsy Results - Almost 2 Years Dutasteride, Still Worsening

      in Update  24 upvotes 2 weeks ago
      Dutasteride and finasteride are not effectively stopping hair loss for some users, despite long-term use. Some are considering or using RU58841, pyrilutamide, and other treatments like microneedling, while also managing seborrheic dermatitis with diet and topical solutions.

      community Scalp massages: where's the community consensus on this ?

      in Treatment  11 upvotes 1 month ago
      Scalp massages have mixed reviews for hair loss; some users report reduced shedding and healthier hair, while others see no benefit or worsening conditions. Many prefer proven treatments like minoxidil, finasteride, and dutasteride over massages.

      community Scalp inflammation let’s talk about it?

      in Chat  11 upvotes 1 month ago
      Scalp inflammation can cause hair thinning and may be related to diet, infections, or conditions like psoriasis. Treatments suggested include using Nizoral shampoo and checking vitamin levels.

    Related Research

    2 / 2 results