What should you know about extremely itchy scalp no dandruff?

Look for clues beyond flakes: crawling sensations or nits may fit head lice; tender bumps or pus around hairs may fit folliculitis; sharply defined thick patches may fit scalp psoriasis. New hair products, dyes, oils, or fragranced treatments can irritate the scalp. A greasy scale can occur with seborrheic dermatitis, while dandruff may be subtle or absent at first.

Pause recently introduced products and rinse the scalp thoroughly with lukewarm water. Avoid scratching, tight hairstyles, and picking bumps, since broken skin can become infected. Use a gentle, fragrance-free cleanser and keep nails short. If you see moving insects or firmly attached nits, arrange advice about head lice treatment rather than applying several products together. A clinician can match medicated shampoo treatment to the actual cause.

Seek prompt medical care for spreading redness, warmth, swelling, drainage, fever, painful sores, or sudden patchy hair loss. Arrange a dermatology assessment when itching is severe, disrupts sleep, persists after removing an irritant, or returns repeatedly. Urgent assessment is appropriate if facial swelling or breathing difficulty accompanies a new product reaction.

Could this be contact irritation, lice, folliculitis, seborrheic dermatitis, or scalp psoriasis? What should I look for on the scalp and hair shafts? Which cleanser or treatment is suitable, and how long should I try it before follow-up?