Home Remedies to Treat Scalp Pain and Tenderness

Keep your scalp aches and irritations at bay with natural and effective concoctions.

Specialty: Medical, Surgical, & Cosmetic Dermatology

Dr. Aanand Geria is a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Geria Dermatology in Rutherford, New Jersey. He is an expert in ethnic skin, minimally invasive cosmetic injectables, body contouring, and lasers. He earned his medical degr... more

  • What Is Scalp Tenderness?
  • Signs And Symptoms Of Scalp Tenderness
  • Causes Of And Risk Factors For Scalp Tenderness
  • Home Remedies To Treat A Tender And Sore Scalp
  • Tips To Prevent Scalp Problems

What Is Scalp Tenderness?

Scalp tenderness is a common complaint associated with many medical conditions. These can include migraines, tension headaches, and autoimmune disorders like psoriasis. Even skin conditions like sunburns, rashes, and wounds can cause the scalp to become tender.

A tender scalp can turn itchy. Scratching an irritated or inflamed scalp can cause blisters, sores, or scabs. Other symptoms that surface with scalp tenderness are as follows.

Signs And Symptoms Of Scalp Tenderness

Most often, scalp tenderness does not show any symptoms. In some cases, you may notice that your scalp is:

  • Unusually painful
  • Peeling
  • Scaling
  • Flaking
    • Numb

Several underlying conditions could be responsible for a tender scalp. Some of the common causes of scalp pain or tenderness are listed below.

Causes Of And Risk Factors For Scalp Tenderness

Scalp tenderness is linked to many health conditions. They include:

  • Various forms of headaches
  • Rashes
  • Sunburns
    • Lice
  • Psoriasis
  • Insect bites
  • Dandruff
  • Skin cell cancers
  • Lichen planus, a condition that causes the scalp to scale or flake
  • Alopecia areata, a form of hair loss

Factors that elevate the risk of this condition include:

    Acne
  • Cysts
  • Allergic reactions
  • Infections of the skin or hair follicles
  • Viral diseases like shingles or measles
  • Tight hairstyles or use of tight headbands
  • Frequent use of helmets
  • Frequent use of hair dyes
  • Frequent use of hair dryers, curlers, and flat irons

In addition to tenderness, these conditions can also cause inflammation, pain, flaking, and peeling of your scalp. In rare cases, your scalp may also secrete pus, bleed, or even form blisters and sores.

To help individuals struggling from this issue, we have summed up the best home remedies – these help treat your tender scalp and even provide relief from the underlying conditions.

Why This Works

The anti-inflammatory activities of tea tree oil provide instant relief from inflammation. The antimicrobial nature of tea tree oil further helps fight other scalp infections (1).

Why This Works

The strong antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties of apple cider vinegar can ease the symptoms of pain and itchiness associated with a sore scalp (2).

How Often You Should Do This

You can do this 1 to 2 times every week.

Why This Works

The moisturizing properties of coconut oil promote scalp health. And the oil’s antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties can prevent infections and scalp inflammation (4344' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' >3), (4).

Why This Works

With its powerful anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, neem is another wonderful remedy to treat scalp tenderness and its painful symptoms (5).

Why This Works

The natural anti-inflammatory and soothing properties of aloe vera gel can work wonders on a sore scalp. Regular use of aloe gel can also help dandruff/' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' >prevent dandruff and other scalp infections (6).

Why This Works

Lemon juice is acidic and can help restore the lost pH of your scalp. It is also a strong anti-inflammatory agent that can help soothe itchiness, inflammation, and soreness in your scalp (7).

7. Vitamins

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You can also combat scalp tenderness with a little modification to your diet. Nutrients like vitamins B, C, and E promote healthy scalp and hair (8). They enhance sebum secretion of the scalp, protect it from free radical damage, and improve circulation.

Foods rich in these vitamins include catfish, chicken, wheat germ, peanuts, almonds, citrus fruits, green leafy vegetables, cheese, eggs, and milk. You can also take additional supplements for these vitamins after consulting your health care provider.

Why This Works

Baking soda is a strong alkaline agent that helps cleanse and soothe a tender scalp. And its antimicrobial activities prevent further scalp infections (9).

Why This Works

Witch hazel is a popular astringent that relieves an itchy scalp and its symptoms (10).

Why This Works

Sesame oil contains vitamins B complex and E that promote circulation to the scalp. It also exhibits anti-inflammatory action, thereby healing an irritated and inflamed scalp (11).

How Often You Should Do This

You must do this 1 to 2 times per week.

Why This Works

The moisturizing and anti-inflammatory properties of the oil heal an inflamed, dry, and itchy scalp (12).

Why This Works

Flaxseed oil is packed with omega-3 fatty acids that help moisturize your scalp. It can also help combat inflammation and irritation with its anti-inflammatory effects (13).

How Often You Should Do This

You must do this at least once a week for the desired results.

Why This Works

Egg masks help restore the lost moisture of your scalp and also soothe irritation.

Why This Works

The antimicrobial activities of hydrogen peroxide can prevent infections of the scalp, thereby helping with dandruff and itchy tender scalp (14).

How Often You Should Do This

You must do this 1 to 2 times in a week.

Why This Works

Given that honey has powerful anti-inflammatory properties, it is no wonder that it works well against scalp tenderness, inflammation, and, itching (15).

While you allow these remedies to work, you can also follow a standard scalp care routine to prevent future scalp issues. Listed below are a few tips that may help.

Tips To Prevent Scalp Problems

A tender scalp may be indicative of underlying medical conditions or be a result of sunburn, head lice, dandruff, or insect bites. Though this condition generally presents no symptoms, some individuals may experience numbness, peeling, flaking, pain, and scaling on the scalp. Secretion of pus or blood, sores, and blisters are uncommon symptoms but may occur in some individuals based on the underlying reason for the tenderness. Aloe vera, hydrogen peroxide, apple cider vinegar, vitamins, flaxseed oil, honey, witch hazel, and baking soda are some commonly used ingredients in home remedies for scalp pain.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best foods to eat to treat scalp tenderness?

Some foods that are known to keep your scalp and hair healthy include salmon, beef, prunes, green tea, carrots, eggs, brown rice, leafy veggies, oysters, and cottage cheese.

Why does my scalp hurt when I touch it?

Infections of the hair follicles often result in scalp sensitivity. It can cause your scalp to pain and become sore or warm.

How long does it take to heal a sore scalp?

With treatment and a few lifestyle changes, your sore and tender scalp will start reverting to its normal condition in as early as a week. If the tenderness does not decrease even after a month of treatment, it is best to seek medical intervention.