Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
What Causes Burning Sensation And Soreness On Scalp?
Question: Hello, I am a 39 year old female. Past medical hx raynauds since I was 10. Tinea Versicolor since 2002. Currently experiencing starting in October scalp pain, burning sensation, sore to touch that
was isolated to small areas on scalp. I was in November put on medrol dose pack with no relief. The pain has since subsided but is not completely gone. I have seen the dermatologist to see if the tinea could be the cause. Dermatologist said unlikely but possible and suggested f/u with neurologist. I seen a neurologist that felt the tinea could be the cause. I had a similar scalp sensation 11 years ago s/p a tinea flare up treated with Selsun Blue which lasted 3 months then never returned until recently. My lab work: cbc, glucose, thyroid, cmp, folate,esr all normal. ANA ab was positive with a ana titer of 1:40. Rest of ENA 6 test panel normal. What does this mean? Lupus?
Thank you.
was isolated to small areas on scalp. I was in November put on medrol dose pack with no relief. The pain has since subsided but is not completely gone. I have seen the dermatologist to see if the tinea could be the cause. Dermatologist said unlikely but possible and suggested f/u with neurologist. I seen a neurologist that felt the tinea could be the cause. I had a similar scalp sensation 11 years ago s/p a tinea flare up treated with Selsun Blue which lasted 3 months then never returned until recently. My lab work: cbc, glucose, thyroid, cmp, folate,esr all normal. ANA ab was positive with a ana titer of 1:40. Rest of ENA 6 test panel normal. What does this mean? Lupus?
Thank you.
Brief Answer:
Doesnt seem to be due to tinea.
Detailed Answer:
Dear Madam ,
Thank you for posting your query on HCM.
Well looking at your problem it does not seem like tinea to me and why had they prescribed steroid for it then .
Can you send me a photo of the lesion if you have plus I see that your ANA is positive but the titre is very low so it makes sense only if you have accompanied symptoms like recurrent oral ulceration , photosensitivity, rashes please let me know if you have any .
Try to tell any other symptoms you have so that we can correlate and help you in best way.
Take care.
Dr Shruti
Doesnt seem to be due to tinea.
Detailed Answer:
Dear Madam ,
Thank you for posting your query on HCM.
Well looking at your problem it does not seem like tinea to me and why had they prescribed steroid for it then .
Can you send me a photo of the lesion if you have plus I see that your ANA is positive but the titre is very low so it makes sense only if you have accompanied symptoms like recurrent oral ulceration , photosensitivity, rashes please let me know if you have any .
Try to tell any other symptoms you have so that we can correlate and help you in best way.
Take care.
Dr Shruti
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju
Thank you for your response. The steroid was prescribed for the pain. No rash was present on my scalp in the areas of sensation disturbance. I only had the Tinea on my back, chest, and neck which cleared up with the selsun blue. I have always had a sensitive scalp, if I part my hair in a different direction it has always hurt or worn a ponytail to long it has hurt as well. I do not get rashes other than the tinea, I do not have oral lacerations ever or photosensitivity. I currently have three small red spots that are flat at the bottom of my neckline. I attached a picture.
Brief Answer:
Follows.
Detailed Answer:
Dear Madam,
The picture that you have sent has healed rashes that appear very non specific . Secondly steroid is not a pain killer so I have no clue why it was used . It happens to be the best antiinflammatory so would have helped in clearing the lesion .
Now since you had raynauds phenomenon with ANA positivity although in low titre the best bet would be to observe , we cannot rule out lupus completely as its an evolving disease but at present there is nothing to concern about . If you get any of the symptoms then there would be a reason to evaluate further .
One thing more if you had any history of abortions or pregnancy related issue please tell me .
Dr. Shruti
Follows.
Detailed Answer:
Dear Madam,
The picture that you have sent has healed rashes that appear very non specific . Secondly steroid is not a pain killer so I have no clue why it was used . It happens to be the best antiinflammatory so would have helped in clearing the lesion .
Now since you had raynauds phenomenon with ANA positivity although in low titre the best bet would be to observe , we cannot rule out lupus completely as its an evolving disease but at present there is nothing to concern about . If you get any of the symptoms then there would be a reason to evaluate further .
One thing more if you had any history of abortions or pregnancy related issue please tell me .
Dr. Shruti
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
I did have an abortion 13 years ago r/t fetal complication.
Brief Answer:
Follows.
Detailed Answer:
Dear Madam,
At that time when you had an abortion was it spontaneous or you got it done and
were you tested for lupus anticoagulant assay , anticardiolipin antibody etc , if you have those reports please let me know.
Dr. Shruti
Follows.
Detailed Answer:
Dear Madam,
At that time when you had an abortion was it spontaneous or you got it done and
were you tested for lupus anticoagulant assay , anticardiolipin antibody etc , if you have those reports please let me know.
Dr. Shruti
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
The abortion was not spontaneous. I have never been tested for lupus anticoagulant assay or anticardiolipin antibody.
Brief Answer:
Follows.
Detailed Answer:
Dear Madam,
Well sometimes underlying autoimmune etiology is present in case of recurrent abortions but since you just had one , we would wait and watch , these antibodies are closely related to lupus and can be indicative of APS but since you were not tested for same cant say anything now.
Dr. Shruti
Follows.
Detailed Answer:
Dear Madam,
Well sometimes underlying autoimmune etiology is present in case of recurrent abortions but since you just had one , we would wait and watch , these antibodies are closely related to lupus and can be indicative of APS but since you were not tested for same cant say anything now.
Dr. Shruti
Note: For further information on diet changes to reduce allergy symptoms or to boost your immunity, Ask here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
