A dry, itchy scalp can be caused by several skin conditions, including psoriasis, head lice, and fungal infections. One common cause is atopic dermatitis, also known as eczema.

Eczema can occur on the scalp and affect people of all ages. “I’ve had eczema on my scalp for six months,” one MyEczemaTeam member shared. “What can I do to help relieve the itching, flakiness, and dryness?”

This article covers the symptoms, types, and causes of scalp eczema, along with treatments that can help you manage your symptoms.

Symptoms of Scalp Eczema

Scalp eczema can be itchy, irritating, and painful. Some people also feel embarrassed by visible scalp eczema symptoms, like skin flaking, which can be hard to hide. The most common symptoms associated with scalp eczema include:

• Itchiness
• Dry skin
• Dandruff and flaky skin
• Discolored skin patches
• Scaly patches that may be greasy
• Blisters and sores

What Does Eczema Look Like on Your Head?

Eczema on your scalp often looks like small white flakes that fall off when you scratch. These flakes may land on your hair, neck, or shoulders. In infants, the eczema may appear yellowish and scaly — a condition often called cradle cap.

Types of Eczema That Affect the Scalp

Several types of eczema can trigger these uncomfortable symptoms.

Seborrheic Dermatitis

Seborrheic dermatitis is a common type of scalp eczema. This type of eczema affects roughly 4.4 percent of the general population and can occur in infants, children, and adults. Seborrheic dermatitis often appears in areas of the body with many oil glands, such as the scalp and the sides of the nose. It’s caused by a reaction to a type of yeast (called Malassezia) that naturally lives on the skin.

Sebhorrheic dermatitis can appear in babies as young as 3 weeks old. In infants, it’s often called cradle cap. Cradle cap can affect up to 70 percent of young infants. Some even consider it a normal part of development. Although many infants and children outgrow scalp eczema, it can return during puberty and continue into adulthood. In teenagers and adults, this condition is also commonly known as dandruff.

Atopic Dermatitis

Atopic dermatitis — also called atopic eczema — is another common type of scalp eczema. It can affect both children and adults. People with atopic eczema are often more likely to have asthma and hay fever as well. Severe itchiness with dry, irritated skin is a classic sign of atopic dermatitis.

Allergic Contact Dermatitis

Allergic contact dermatitis happens when your skin has an allergic reaction to substances that touch your skin. Some everyday items that might cause allergic contact dermatitis on the scalp include:

• Shampoos and conditioners
• Hair gels and sprays
• Hair dye
• Perming solutions
• Glue for hair extensions
• Shower caps or hair nets (especially those made from rubber)
• Hair accessories (especially those made with rubber or nickel)

Allergens can be found in any products you use on your hair, scalp, or skin. It’s important to talk to your doctor about the products you use. They can help figure out if there are allergens in your hair care products that may be causing a reaction and which ones to avoid.

Irritant Contact Dermatitis

Irritant contact dermatitis is another type of contact dermatitis. It’s similar to allergic contact dermatitis, but there’s no allergic reaction. Instead, the skin becomes itchy and inflamed when it comes into contact with an irritating substance. The same products that trigger allergic contact dermatitis may trigger irritant contact dermatitis. Avoiding the irritating substance is the best way to combat irritant and allergic contact dermatitis.

Causes of Eczema on the Scalp

The exact cause of eczema is unknown. Scientists believe it happens due to a mix of genetic and environmental factors. These factors can weaken the skin’s natural barrier and trigger inflammation.

Several factors can trigger eczema flare-ups on the scalp, including:

• Stress or illness
• Hormone changes
• Cold or hot weather
• Dry weather
• Hair or skin care products
• Detergents and soaps
• Exposure to allergens
• Certain fabrics

You may also be more likely to get scalp eczema if you have certain medical conditions, such as:

• Psoriasis
• Rosacea
• Parkinson’s disease
• Epilepsy
• History of stroke or heart attack
• Depression
• An eating disorder
• HIV
• Alcohol use disorder

How To Treat Eczema on the Scalp

If you’re having these symptoms, you may wonder: How do you treat eczema on the scalp? Eczema often comes and goes, and there’s no cure to make it go away for good. If you’re having symptoms of scalp eczema, it’s important to see a doctor or dermatologist. They can confirm the diagnosis, rule out other skin conditions, and help you find the best treatment.

Cradle cap in babies usually goes away on its own. But for children and adults with scalp eczema, specific treatment may be needed. Scalp eczema is usually treated with:

• Dandruff shampoos and medicated shampoos
• Moisturizing creams or oils
• Topical steroids used for a short time

To treat allergic or irritant contact dermatitis, it’s important to avoid the allergen or irritant that’s causing your symptoms.

Self-Care

Along with medical treatment, dermatologists recommend these self-care tips for managing scalp eczema:

• Wash your scalp gently with a medicated shampoo your doctor recommends
• Use shampoo only as often as your dermatologist suggests
• Lower your stress levels
• Protect your scalp from other triggers, such as cold or dry weather
• Choose unscented, alcohol-free hair products

One MyEczemaTeam member shared the routine that helps them the most: “I use squalane for my scalp and almost always wear an organic cotton head wrap to stop myself from gouging chunks of hair out. I also keep my nails as short as possible.”

Talk With Others Who Understand

MyEczemaTeam is the social network for people with eczema and their loved ones. Here, people from around the world come together to ask questions, offer support and advice, and connect with others who understand life with eczema.

Do you get eczema on your scalp? How do you manage your symptoms? Share your experience in the comments below or start a discussion on your Activities page.