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Suggest Treatment For Itchy And Scratchy Scalp

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Posted on Mon, 14 Mar 2016
Question: Hello!

I have been scratching and picking my scalp very much and intense for 1-2 days. Especially on the sides of head, near the ear area, horizontal with the eyes in that area. I have suffered from something very disturbing. I feel constant pressure around the area on the left side of head. It feels like someone is pinching me. And it feels in waves and pulses and somethimes its random and more pain. Somethimes I feel more and somethimes less. I have had this for a 8 days now. And I think the symptoms feels stronger/more for every day.
I think I get more pain if I exercise. I had a hiccup and then I felt stronger doses when I did hiccup.

Today I did hold a cold pack on the area for 20 minutes. After my cheek felt really weird. I felt numbness in cheek. After about 1-3 min it did go away.

It feels like something is happening inside my head, like the head is working on somthing. Maybe to heal?

I feel REALLY bad over what I have caused and this is a BIG problem in my life and it is very disturbing and unpleasure.

1. What is this?

2. Im terrified that this is permanent. Could that be possible?
For me it would feel really good if you said that the healthcare can fix this in some way or another. Im afraid doctors cant find out.

3. Do u have any questions?
I will answers as soon as possible.

Thanks in advance!
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Peripheral neuropathy/temporal arteritis, anxiety.

Detailed Answer:
Hello and thanks for being here on HCM.

I have read your question and understand your concerns.

About your questions, first thing that should be evaluated at that area of head, is giant cells temporal arteritis, or an autoimmune disorder that affects arteries of temples region.

Another thing to be considered is peripheral neuropathy, a condition where small peripheral nerves are damaged due to several factors such alcohol use, drugs side effects, viral infections, low B12 vitamin levels etc.

It could be also a feature of anxiety and stress disorder, but above mentioned conditions should be evaluated/excluded first.

About questions, did you had any viral infection lately, any other drugs used besides paracetamol, any blood tests, do you use any drugs or alcohol?

A clinical evaluation by your primary care Doctor and blood tests regarding to above mentioned conditions should be done, in order to have a correct understanding of your condition.

Hope this helps.

Awaiting for further clarifications.

Greetings.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (2 hours later)
Thank you for answers.

I dont have had any viral infection. And it was a long time ago since I have never take any drugs and i dont smoke or drink alcohol.

I did health-checkup 4 weeks ago, took blood tests and looked pressure and other things. The results was very good, im very healthy.
They didnt find anything.

I think the only cause of my problem is when I did scratch and pick my scalp and skull. It happend same day I did this.
I think I triggered something. I scratch my scalp and skull with my nail and I do it pretty hard and much.

I eat good and I take omega3 every day. I also take multivitamin now when this started to happend.

Can it be nerve irritation or pinched nerve?

I read about Giant-cell arteritis and now I got terrified. Do you think it can be that?

It feels like it is the blood or nerve. The pulsing and waves, that feels how blood is supposed to move or?

Im going to hostpital after your answers.
Thanks!


I also want to say:
When I woke up today I felt good and after about 30 min I started to feel more.
Today is the worst day of all days. Today I have this pressure constant, and feel waves and pinching and it is little painful.

Extra info:
Today somethimes It get a special feeling in my RIGHT side of the head. It feels like the blood is flowing, I feel a little cold flowing, for about 1-3 seconds. Then its over. This happend about 5-6 times today. I cant tell but Im worried that i start having this pressure and pain it on right side soon.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (6 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Probably you pinched a nerve.

Detailed Answer:
Welcome back and thanks for the clarifications.

Now the situation appears more clear.

You probably pinched/compressed a nerve by pressing hard with the nail, since you refer that you scratch your skull pretty hard.

Giant cell arteritis isn't related to scratching or compression, since there were no changes (especially ESR rate) in blood tests, this makes arteritis more unlikely as a possibility.

Sensations of pressure and blood flowing could be explained by hyper sensibility of that area due to nerve(s) irritation.

In my opinion, you need only a medical evaluation by your primary care Doctor to confirm this possibility as a cause of your concerns.

Hope you found the answer helpful.

Greetings.


Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho

Neurologist, Surgical

Practicing since :2004

Answered : 4500 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Itchy And Scratchy Scalp

Brief Answer: Peripheral neuropathy/temporal arteritis, anxiety. Detailed Answer: Hello and thanks for being here on HCM. I have read your question and understand your concerns. About your questions, first thing that should be evaluated at that area of head, is giant cells temporal arteritis, or an autoimmune disorder that affects arteries of temples region. Another thing to be considered is peripheral neuropathy, a condition where small peripheral nerves are damaged due to several factors such alcohol use, drugs side effects, viral infections, low B12 vitamin levels etc. It could be also a feature of anxiety and stress disorder, but above mentioned conditions should be evaluated/excluded first. About questions, did you had any viral infection lately, any other drugs used besides paracetamol, any blood tests, do you use any drugs or alcohol? A clinical evaluation by your primary care Doctor and blood tests regarding to above mentioned conditions should be done, in order to have a correct understanding of your condition. Hope this helps. Awaiting for further clarifications. Greetings.