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I Had Burning Sensation On My Scalp And It Travelled Down Into My Shoulders
Question: Hi Dr. XXXXXXX
You helped me a few months ago and now I have another issue that I would like your help with.
A few weeks ago I colored my hair and left the solution on too long. The next day I had burning sensation on my scalp and it travelled down into my shoulders, arms and legs. I panicked. I went to my Dermatologist who gave me liquid steroid to use on my scalp, which made my scalp burn even worse. I’m stopped the steroid after 5 days, since it burned each time I used the liquid, and it didn’t help. He told me to stop the steroid. My anxiety set in worse each day as my would feel the burning from my scalp to my extremities. Since I am very anxious person, this set me I a highly sensitive state of anxiety. I have googled all symptoms which make me even more anxious. I went to my GP on Friday and she now has put me on Lexapro, as she thinks it might be anxiety. I am on 5mg and will increase to 10mg after 7 days.
When the burning rush from my scalp moves through my body it frightens me. It’s like I can feel it progress. My scalp is still very sensitive, however it is not red. So now, I realize that my scalp nerves are probably irritated from the hair XXXXXXX but now that these things are happening it scares me. It’s not always there, but if I get stressed at work or something I can feel the burn and tingle go from my head to my legs. I’ve tried coconut oil and all kinds of thins. But the burn is still felt on my scalp, legs and shoulders and arms. I don’t know what is going on, and my anxiety is over the top. I was doing fine before the hair XXXXXXX incident. But now i am so anxious and have been reading all kind of web articles which has frightened me more. Perhaps the hair XXXXXXX totally irritated my scalp and now the burning is the result and that it will take time to heal those nerve endings on the scalp. It has been 3 weeks. But, my anxiety goes on overdrive when I feel the burning sensations, thinking that something is horribly wrong. Can you please advise and if my scalp being affected by the XXXXXXX being on too long has now caused all of this burning and irritation and and maybe it’s just going to take time to heal? I’ve spiraled and am trying to make sense of it all. I am now hypersensitive to every instance of burning and the way it travels down to my shoulders and arms and legs. Some times I can feel it in my cheeks. I understand the nerves are all connected, but this is very distressing.
Is this just a very sensative scalp that needs to heal? It's been 3 weeks and is still the same. I pray it heals soon.
Thank you so much. You were so helpful the last time you helped me, so I hope you can offer encouragement.
You helped me a few months ago and now I have another issue that I would like your help with.
A few weeks ago I colored my hair and left the solution on too long. The next day I had burning sensation on my scalp and it travelled down into my shoulders, arms and legs. I panicked. I went to my Dermatologist who gave me liquid steroid to use on my scalp, which made my scalp burn even worse. I’m stopped the steroid after 5 days, since it burned each time I used the liquid, and it didn’t help. He told me to stop the steroid. My anxiety set in worse each day as my would feel the burning from my scalp to my extremities. Since I am very anxious person, this set me I a highly sensitive state of anxiety. I have googled all symptoms which make me even more anxious. I went to my GP on Friday and she now has put me on Lexapro, as she thinks it might be anxiety. I am on 5mg and will increase to 10mg after 7 days.
When the burning rush from my scalp moves through my body it frightens me. It’s like I can feel it progress. My scalp is still very sensitive, however it is not red. So now, I realize that my scalp nerves are probably irritated from the hair XXXXXXX but now that these things are happening it scares me. It’s not always there, but if I get stressed at work or something I can feel the burn and tingle go from my head to my legs. I’ve tried coconut oil and all kinds of thins. But the burn is still felt on my scalp, legs and shoulders and arms. I don’t know what is going on, and my anxiety is over the top. I was doing fine before the hair XXXXXXX incident. But now i am so anxious and have been reading all kind of web articles which has frightened me more. Perhaps the hair XXXXXXX totally irritated my scalp and now the burning is the result and that it will take time to heal those nerve endings on the scalp. It has been 3 weeks. But, my anxiety goes on overdrive when I feel the burning sensations, thinking that something is horribly wrong. Can you please advise and if my scalp being affected by the XXXXXXX being on too long has now caused all of this burning and irritation and and maybe it’s just going to take time to heal? I’ve spiraled and am trying to make sense of it all. I am now hypersensitive to every instance of burning and the way it travels down to my shoulders and arms and legs. Some times I can feel it in my cheeks. I understand the nerves are all connected, but this is very distressing.
Is this just a very sensative scalp that needs to heal? It's been 3 weeks and is still the same. I pray it heals soon.
Thank you so much. You were so helpful the last time you helped me, so I hope you can offer encouragement.
Brief Answer:
Sensory axonal polyneuropathy...
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for posting the query and reposing the faith in me.
1. The burning sensation following the application of hair XXXXXXX is very common due to the presence of various chemicals in the XXXXXXX The after-effects of the allergic reaction may last up to 4 weeks depending upon the sensitivity of the skin.
2. The threshold for this reaction differs between patients. The use of oxidative hair dyes such as hydrogen peroxide and strong alkalis has resulted in sensory irritation of the face and the adjoining areas as well.
3. Seldom, the application of the chemicals over the skin can irritate the sensory nerve ending of the scalp leading to a condition called sensory axonal polyneuropathy.
4. As you have already been treated by the dermatologist and the medications have not been very effective, and in the absence of local lesions, we can safely categorise it as a polyneuropathy.
This condition of yours would require intervention by an apt neurologist.
5. Medications such as tricyclic antidepressants, pregabalin or gabapentin may be prescribed by your doctor to overcome the burning sensation. Topical emollients would also be prescribed, if required, after a thorough examination.
Do not worry! This is just a temporary reaction and with appropriate intervention the things would resolve soon.
Hope this answers your query. Revert back to me if you have any follow-up queries.
Regards
Dr. Naveen Kumar N
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon
Sensory axonal polyneuropathy...
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for posting the query and reposing the faith in me.
1. The burning sensation following the application of hair XXXXXXX is very common due to the presence of various chemicals in the XXXXXXX The after-effects of the allergic reaction may last up to 4 weeks depending upon the sensitivity of the skin.
2. The threshold for this reaction differs between patients. The use of oxidative hair dyes such as hydrogen peroxide and strong alkalis has resulted in sensory irritation of the face and the adjoining areas as well.
3. Seldom, the application of the chemicals over the skin can irritate the sensory nerve ending of the scalp leading to a condition called sensory axonal polyneuropathy.
4. As you have already been treated by the dermatologist and the medications have not been very effective, and in the absence of local lesions, we can safely categorise it as a polyneuropathy.
This condition of yours would require intervention by an apt neurologist.
5. Medications such as tricyclic antidepressants, pregabalin or gabapentin may be prescribed by your doctor to overcome the burning sensation. Topical emollients would also be prescribed, if required, after a thorough examination.
Do not worry! This is just a temporary reaction and with appropriate intervention the things would resolve soon.
Hope this answers your query. Revert back to me if you have any follow-up queries.
Regards
Dr. Naveen Kumar N
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
Hi Dr XXXXXXX
Thank you very much for your explanation.
My doctor prescribed Lexapro antidepressant for me. I started it on Friday.
I am very concerned about your advise that I would need to see Neurologist. That makes me worry greatly that something is terribly wrong.
Do you think that my scalp nerve endings will recover without having to go to a Neurologist and that it just needs more time to heal?
As you can see, this makes me very anxious.
I appreciate your help so much.
Thank you very much for your explanation.
My doctor prescribed Lexapro antidepressant for me. I started it on Friday.
I am very concerned about your advise that I would need to see Neurologist. That makes me worry greatly that something is terribly wrong.
Do you think that my scalp nerve endings will recover without having to go to a Neurologist and that it just needs more time to heal?
As you can see, this makes me very anxious.
I appreciate your help so much.
Also, the dermatologist did prescribe Gabapentin but I was afraid to take them due to side effects. And now since I have started Lexapro, I am further afraid of side effects if it is not safe to take both. I’ve read about bad side effects from Gabapentine.
I pray I will be okay. Please let me know. Thank you kindly.
I pray I will be okay. Please let me know. Thank you kindly.
Brief Answer:
Please do not worry about the side effects
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for writing back
1. My apologies for making you more anxious. The reason why I recommended for a neurologist was, that in my part of the world, only the neurologists are authorised to prescribe the above medications. It would be of great help to you if your PCP could prescribe the above medications.
2. The side effects are usually noticed when taken for a long duration. There would be negligible side effects when taken for a short period.
3. In the layman terminology, the tricyclic antidepressants are given to relax the irritated nerves. A course of vitamin B-complex would also be highly beneficial in the regeneration of the nerve endings.
Hope this clarifies your doubts. Wish you good health.
Regards
Dr. Naveen Kumar N
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon
Please do not worry about the side effects
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for writing back
1. My apologies for making you more anxious. The reason why I recommended for a neurologist was, that in my part of the world, only the neurologists are authorised to prescribe the above medications. It would be of great help to you if your PCP could prescribe the above medications.
2. The side effects are usually noticed when taken for a long duration. There would be negligible side effects when taken for a short period.
3. In the layman terminology, the tricyclic antidepressants are given to relax the irritated nerves. A course of vitamin B-complex would also be highly beneficial in the regeneration of the nerve endings.
Hope this clarifies your doubts. Wish you good health.
Regards
Dr. Naveen Kumar N
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
Thank you so much for your encouragement Dr. XXXXXXX Do you think the stinging pain will subside once the antidepressant has taken effect? I thank you so much!
Brief Answer:
Let’s be positive…
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Welcome back
I’m extremely sorry for the delayed response as I was held up in the COVID duty.
1. Let’s be positive and hope the symptoms would subside soon with the above medications.
2. Consume adequate fresh fruits and vegetables to boost up your immunity and to nurture the inflamed nerves.
3. I wish you recover soon. Be cheerful and happy. Stay safe and healthy.
With best regards
Dr. Naveen Kumar N
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon
Let’s be positive…
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Welcome back
I’m extremely sorry for the delayed response as I was held up in the COVID duty.
1. Let’s be positive and hope the symptoms would subside soon with the above medications.
2. Consume adequate fresh fruits and vegetables to boost up your immunity and to nurture the inflamed nerves.
3. I wish you recover soon. Be cheerful and happy. Stay safe and healthy.
With best regards
Dr. Naveen Kumar N
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Hi Dr. XXXXXXX
Thank you again for all your advice. I am praying the symptoms resolve soon. I am now on Lexapro and my B Complex and extra B12. I assume it will just take tims to heal.
Bless you for being so kind.
Kind Regards and Blessings.
Thank you again!
Thank you again for all your advice. I am praying the symptoms resolve soon. I am now on Lexapro and my B Complex and extra B12. I assume it will just take tims to heal.
Bless you for being so kind.
Kind Regards and Blessings.
Thank you again!
Brief Answer:
Wish you good health
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for writing back
Hopefully your problems should resolve soon with the above medications. I wish you good health. Stay safe and healthy.
With best regards
Dr. Naveen Kumar N
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon
Wish you good health
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for writing back
Hopefully your problems should resolve soon with the above medications. I wish you good health. Stay safe and healthy.
With best regards
Dr. Naveen Kumar N
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Answered by
Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Nanjasetty
Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist
Practicing since :2001
Answered : 2543 Questions
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