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What Causes Rashes On A Bald Head Along With Sudden Headache?

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Posted on Fri, 30 Jun 2023
Question: I wear my head bald. When I shave I shave both my head and face. When I am done I always put aftershave balm on both my face and head. Sometimes due to the humidity from the shower (even though I put the aftershave on in the bedroom that is connected to the bathroom) I can't really get my head dry enough from the towel. Therefore, when I put on the balm there is this humidity on my head interacting with the balm. Recently after doing what I just described I put on a knit cap (I live in Michigan and it is cold) and left the house. Later I noticed a red sensation on the area of my face/head where the outline of the cap would be. The sensation later developed into several small bumps. The bumps only covered a very small area. It seems to be correcting itself but the problem also caused a very bad headache that lasted a few days. Could this adverse reaction be from the fact that I was fresh shaved, and the moisture from the humidity along with the aftershave balm and finally putting on the knit cap? I'm particularly concerned that a headache came with the rash.
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Answered by Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (20 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Questions so that I can advise:

Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome,

Would you be able/willing to upload a few good digital pictures so that I can see what the rash looks like? Best is if there is good lighting but no flash. At least 2 pictures, one up close so I can see what the skin looks like and one farther away so I can see the overall pattern.

This may be a contact dermatitis. The headache may be a tension headache if the muscles were tense from the irritation of the rash, but I can't say for sure. Was the headache worse at the base of the head/neck or in specific areas?

If you can list the ingredients in the aftershave, I can take a look at that.

Also, is your hat made of wool or something else? And is it new and a deep color dye?
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Follow up: Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (2 hours later)
The rash seems to be in the final stage, almost like it has scabbed over and the scab has begun falling off. Considering that, do you think a picture will help?

As for the headache, the focal point was definitely near the rash. However, for about a day it went around the entire circumference of my head. It's not an issue anymore but when it was no longer my entire head, I still felt the headache around the rash.

My hat is a polyester acrylic blend and yes it is new.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (43 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Thoughts on this

Detailed Answer:
Hi -

I'm giving this some thought but can't say I know with absolute certainty what's going on. Here are some of my thoughts:

The hat has XXXXXXX that was irritating on the skin, particularly if the aftershave has alcohol or something irritating in it. Maybe washing the hat, if it's washable, might get some of whatever might be irritating in it out. It might have some sort of treatment in it too, such as a chemical to make it water resistant.

Another thought is that the hat is tight and this caused irritation in certain areas.

If the pain from the headache felt like a typical headache, it might be that the muscles tightened, maybe from the inflammation from the rash.

If the pain was superficial, in the skin, it might be that you were feeling the inflammation from the rash.

I don't know that humidity would cause a bad reaction with the aftershave as, after all, those are the conditions that people usually put aftershave on their face. However, having moisture on your skin and then having cloth on top of it might have caused irritation.

Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :1991

Answered : 3133 Questions

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What Causes Rashes On A Bald Head Along With Sudden Headache?

Brief Answer: Questions so that I can advise: Detailed Answer: Hello and welcome, Would you be able/willing to upload a few good digital pictures so that I can see what the rash looks like? Best is if there is good lighting but no flash. At least 2 pictures, one up close so I can see what the skin looks like and one farther away so I can see the overall pattern. This may be a contact dermatitis. The headache may be a tension headache if the muscles were tense from the irritation of the rash, but I can't say for sure. Was the headache worse at the base of the head/neck or in specific areas? If you can list the ingredients in the aftershave, I can take a look at that. Also, is your hat made of wool or something else? And is it new and a deep color dye?