What Causes Itching And Burning Sensation On The Scalp?

Posted on Thu, 1 Sep 2016

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Thu, 1 Sep 2016 Answered on

Wed, 21 Sep 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : I HAVE ITCHING AND BURNING ON THE TOP OF MY SCALP AND IT RADIATES TO MY FOREARMS. I HAVE HAD THESE SYMPTOMS FOR I8 MONTHS EVERYDAY, BUT IT SEEMS TO GO AWAY WHEN I AM SLEEPING. I AM BEGINNING TO HAVE HEADACHES AND SORENESS ON MY SCALP. I HAVE SEEN FAMILY DR., 4 DERMATOLOGISTS, 2 NEUROLOGISTS AND WENT TO SOUTHWEST UNIVERSITY IN XXXXXXX NO ONE CAN DIAGNOSE AND I DO NOT KNOW WHERE TO GO NEXT. ALL KINDS OF TESTS, INCLUDING BRAIN SCAN AND TESTED FOR MANY DISEASES INC. MULTIPLE SCHLORIS. I HAVE SORE MUSCLES AND HAVE STINGING ON DIFFERENT PARTS OF MY BODY. I HAVE BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH FIBRO YEARS AGO. I DO HAVE SOME RELIEF WITH NEURONTIN, BUT NOT MUCH. MY FAMILY DR. HAS JUST GIVEN UP. I DO GET SOME INFLAMMATION ON MY SCALP AT TIMES. PLEASE, PLEASE HELP!

Answered by Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Occipital neuralgia?

Detailed Answer:
Hello and thanks for using HCM.

I have read your query and understand your concerns.

Since conditions that you mentioned were excluded by tests and clinical examination, in my opinion, occipital neuralgia, a condition related to compression of upper cervical nerves that supply back and top of the head, should be considered as a possible diagnosis.

Seems like the pain you refer is located in the surface of the head, not inside.

Arthritis of the cervical spine may be one of the conditions that may cause such symptoms including forearms spreading.

I suggest you to discuss with your Doctor about this condition and further tests needed to confirm or exclude it.

Clinical examination and x-rays of the cervical spine are needed initially.

NSAID drugs ( ibuprofen ) help improve symptoms in the first stages.

Hope you found the answer helpful.

Let me know if I can assist you further.

Greetings.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng