My hair is itchy and falling out: what can I do?

The itch usually comes from the scalp rather than the hair shaft. Scratching can break hairs and irritate skin, making shedding appear worse. The timing of both symptoms, the shape of loss, and whether there is scale or inflammation give useful clues.

Scalp ringworm may cause itch, scale, broken hairs, or tender areas and requires medical treatment. Contact irritation can follow a new dye, shampoo, oil, or styling product. Alopecia areata commonly produces smooth patches and may have little surface change. Telogen effluvium and inherited hair loss can happen alongside an itchy scalp problem without causing the itch themselves. Tight styles can also add breakage through traction alopecia.

Stop any newly introduced scalp product and rinse gently with lukewarm water. Avoid scratching, vigorous brushing, tight coverings, and sharing combs, hats, or pillowcases until infection has been excluded. Photograph the affected area and note flaking, sores, tenderness, or contacts with similar symptoms. A clinician can inspect the scalp and arrange testing when ringworm or another infection is possible; do not rely on steroid cream alone for a suspected infection.

Arrange prompt care for rapidly enlarging loss, pus, crusts, significant pain, fever, swollen glands, or thick scale. Seek urgent help for facial swelling or breathing trouble after a product exposure. A dermatology review is sensible when itch lasts, sleep is disturbed, or shedding continues despite stopping an irritant.

Could this be an infection, contact dermatitis, alopecia areata, or a separate shedding condition? Should I stop specific products? Would a scalp sample or other test help, and which treatments are safe for me?