Trichodynia (Scalp Dysesthesia)
April 2017
in “
InTech eBooks
”
trichodynia scalp dysesthesia diffuse alopecia telogen effluvium substance P perifollicular inflammation L-Cystine topical corticosteroids anti-inflammatory medications substance P inhibitors low-dose antidepressants botulinum toxin cicatricial alopecia folliculitis decalvans dissecting cellulitis dermatitis from hair dye hair loss scalp pain L-Cystine supplements topical steroids anti-inflammatory drugs substance P blockers antidepressants Botox scarring alopecia scalp folliculitis scalp cellulitis hair dye dermatitis
TLDR Many people with hair loss experience scalp pain known as trichodynia, but the causes are unclear and treatments vary.
Trichodynia, or scalp dysesthesia, is a condition where patients experience pain in the scalp or hair without any apparent skin disease, often linked with hair loss conditions like diffuse alopecia or telogen effluvium. Studies have reported that a significant number of individuals with hair loss suffer from trichodynia, with one study showing 34% of female hair loss patients and another showing 14% of diffuse alopecia patients affected. The causes of trichodynia remain unclear, but potential factors include substance P expression, psychiatric issues, nutritional deficiencies, and perifollicular inflammation. Treatment options are not strongly supported by scientific literature but include L-Cystine supplements, topical corticosteroids, anti-inflammatory medications, substance P inhibitors, low-dose antidepressants, and botulinum toxin injections, along with scalp care and relaxation techniques. It is important to differentiate trichodynia from other painful scalp conditions such as cicatricial alopecia, folliculitis decalvans, dissecting cellulitis, and dermatitis from hair dye, as well as from painful scalp tumors.
