"My scalp is red and I'm worried..." Actually, it's a symptom, a yellow signal!
In this article, we will explain the main causes of redness of the scalp and countermeasures.

There are cases where treatment is necessary depending on the symptoms, so if you are worried about "red scalp", please refer to it before the symptoms progress. It covers all the information you need.

What causes redness of the scalp?

Normally, a healthy scalp has a whitish color. A reddish scalp may be caused by some factor.

From here, I will explain the causes of "red" scalp.

Poor blood circulation can cause redness

If redness is caused by poor circulation, it may be due to a lack of nutrients and oxygen needed by the scalp, preventing skin cells from functioning properly.

There are many capillaries running through the scalp, which are responsible for transporting nutrients and oxygen, but the capillaries shrink due to stress, lack of exercise, aging, and lifestyle disturbances. When capillaries constrict and blood flow deteriorates, the cells of the scalp are not supplied with enough nutrients and oxygen. As a result, scalp cells are damaged, leading to redness and inflammation.

In addition, if poor blood circulation in the scalp becomes chronic, it can also adversely affect hair growth.

If there is a lack of nutrients and oxygen in the scalp, the hair matrix cells are not activated, and the growth of the hair may be delayed or thinned, which may be a factor in thinning hair and hair loss.

May be reddened due to inflammation or eczema

Inflammation and eczema can also cause redness of the scalp. When the scalp becomes inflamed, it can be red, swollen, painful, and itchy. Inflammation is caused by excessive secretion of sebum in the scalp, excessive friction, the effects of ultraviolet rays, stress, etc.

In addition, if eczema causes redness of the scalp, it can also cause blisters and itching. Eczema can also be caused by allergies or stress, the effects of ultraviolet rays, external stimuli, dryness.

Sebum, sweat, shampoo, etc. can irritate the scalp and cause it to turn red.

In some cases, redness of the scalp is caused by excessive stimulation of the scalp by sebum, sweat, shampoo, etc. The scalp is always adhered to sebum, sweat, dirt, mites, etc., and it is said that an abnormal increase in these substances disturbs the scalp environment and contributes to inflammation.

In addition, if the ingredients in the shampoo do not suit the scalp or if the shampoo is not rinsed off sufficiently, it can put a strain on the scalp and cause irritation.

In particular, people with sensitive scalps or dry skin have a dry scalp due to low sebum secretion, making them hypersensitive to irritation. People with skin diseases such as atopic dermatitis and seborrheic dermatitis may also be more likely to experience redness of the scalp.

It may also be accompanied by symptoms such as itching, spotting, and bumps

If you have redness of the scalp, you may experience symptoms such as thinning hair, itching, spots, and rashes. In most cases, these symptoms appear after the redness of the scalp occurs and are considered to be a sign of deterioration.

As it progresses further, hair follicles may be damaged by scalp inflammation and eczema, and hair follicles may not be nourished, leading to thinning hair and hair loss.

Itching, spotting, and bumps are often caused by inflammation or infection of the scalp and require proper treatment. In the presence of redness of the scalp and these symptoms, it is important to seek diagnosis and treatment by a specialist.

Measures to prevent scalp problems and improve scalp redness

By keeping the scalp clean and promoting blood circulation, it can lead to improvement of scalp problems.

Massage and scalp care to stimulate blood circulation

If poor blood circulation is the cause of redness of the scalp, moderate exercise and massage, nutrition that improves blood flow, and stress reduction are effective in improving it. In addition, some of them, such as dedicated scalp shampoos and treatments, contain ingredients that promote blood circulation.

Choosing the right shampoo and washing your hair

If the redness of your scalp is not due to a disease such as dermatitis or eczema, but rather from irritation or friction from shampoo, you may want to reconsider choosing the right shampoo and washing your hair.

When it comes to choosing a shampoo, we recommend an amino acid-based shampoo that is gentle on the scalp. An amino acid-based shampoo is a shampoo whose main ingredient is naturally derived amino acids.

Amino acids are one of the main components of human skin and hair, and since they are naturally derived ingredients, they do not cause irritation to the skin and hair, and they are not easy to dry. In addition, due to its weak acidity, it can increase the moisturizing effect of the skin and keep it healthy.

If you're having trouble choosing, you can choose a shampoo for sensitive skin or for babies.

Wash your hair properly and keep it moderately frequent

The use of the right shampoo is also important to keep the scalp clean.

Shampoo not only removes dirt from the scalp, but also stimulates blood circulation in the scalp. Be careful not to use too much force or erect your nails, as this can damage your scalp.

As for the hair washing method, use the pads of your fingers to gently massage to promote blood circulation. Also, rinse off the shampoo foam thoroughly so that it does not put a strain on the scalp.

It is also important to wash your hair moderately often to keep your scalp clean. If your scalp is oily, or if you go out or exercise after exercising, wash your hair to remove sweat and dirt without leaving it unattended.

However, it is important to wash your hair moderately frequently, as excessive washing of the scalp can also lead to dryness of the scalp and promote excessive secretion of sebum. In general, it is appropriate to wash your hair 1~1 times a day.

Stimulates blood circulation by improving stress and lifestyle habits

When stress is chronically applied, the sympathetic nerves become dominant and the capillaries constrict. In addition, lifestyle habits cause vasoconstriction and insufficient blood flow to the periphery in the same way, leading to insufficient blood flow.

Therefore, by stimulating blood circulation by improving stress and lifestyle habits, it will lead to a reduction in redness of the scalp.

Another way to reduce stress is to incorporate relaxation techniques such as regular exercise, deep breathing, and stretching. In addition, getting enough sleep makes it easier for the autonomic nervous system to regulate, which leads to improvement of poor blood circulation.

Lifestyle changes include quitting smoking, improving eating habits, and refraining from excessive alcohol consumption.

Try to eat a good diet

A nutrient-balanced diet is important for scalp health. In particular, a lack of vitamins and minerals is known to affect the health of the scalp.

For example, zinc is an important nutrient for maintaining scalp health, and a deficiency can cause scalp problems. Vitamin A, vitamin C, biotin, and iron are also nutrients related to scalp health.

Therefore, it is desirable to take nutrients in a well-balanced manner from various foods such as vegetables and fruits, fish and legumes, meat and eggs. In addition, excessive intake of fat and sugar can lead to poor blood circulation, so be aware of moderate intake.

Inflammation and eczema require medical diagnosis and appropriate treatment

If you have inflammation or eczema in addition to redness on your scalp, consider seeing a doctor as soon as possible. Inflammation and eczema differ depending on the cause, and the appropriate treatment method is also different, so there are cases where it gets worse by dealing with it at your own discretion.

Treatment methods for inflammation and eczema vary depending on the symptoms and causes. Common treatments include the application of steroids, antibiotics, antifungals, and antihistamines.

Since the cause differs depending on the symptoms, in addition to a medical approach, you may receive guidance on how to improve lifestyle habits and how to use and select shampoos.

Let's take a look at the specific symptoms and treatment methods.

Dermatitis
Dermatitis refers to inflammation of the skin, and there are many types. In the scalp, contact dermatitis and seborrheic dermatitis are seen.

Contact dermatitis is a disease in which the scalp becomes inflamed due to external stimuli, and is mainly caused by allergic reactions and chemical substances.

Seborrheic dermatitis is a disease that causes inflammation due to excessive secretion of oils and fats in the scalp and bacterial infection, and itching, redness, and dandruff may be seen.

Urticaria that causes redness of the scalp The appearance of urticaria on the
scalp is relatively rare and is usually caused by an allergic reaction. Urticaria is an immune system response that causes inflammation of the skin, causing symptoms such as itching, redness, and swelling.

Urticaria on the scalp is most often caused by external stimuli such as food, drugs, cosmetics, house dust, pet hair, pollen, insect bites, ultraviolet rays, and stress. Also, if urticaria on the scalp appears, you may feel itching and pain.

Treatment may include anti-itch medication and topical steroids. It is also important to identify what causes allergies and avoid them.

Folliculitis that causes redness of the scalp
Folliculitis is a skin disease caused by bacteria infecting the pores of the scalp, resulting in a red, painful rash or abscess appearing on the scalp. It may also be accompanied by symptoms of itching and hair loss.

Treatment includes topical or oral application of antibiotics, as well as the use of painkillers to reduce pain.

Summary

Redness of the scalp is one of the first symptoms of scalp problems.

It is a prodromal symptom that can lead to hair loss and thinning if left untreated. If you can find it early and deal with it, it will be unlikely to lead to major trouble.

I would like to make it a habit to observe the health of the scalp even when I blow dry after washing my hair every day, so that I can "detect and deal with it early".