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How Can I Treat Head Sores?

Nicky Sutton
Nicky Sutton

Treat head sores by keeping your scalp clean, first by washing your hair with antibacterial soap and applying antibacterial ointment. Identify sources of a possible allergen that may be coming into contact with your scalp, and assess if your shampoo is causing dryness and cracking of the skin. The best way to treat head sores is to find out the cause of the problem. Treatments that are used to ease symptoms without exploring the cause may cause the sores to worsen and persist.

Think about whether you have been using any new products on your scalp recently, you might be allergic to a substance that is coming into contact with your head. Hair dye, new shampoos or washing powders are all possible causes of allergy. A product you have been using for a long time may have changed its ingredients, causing an allergic reaction. Stop using any products, both chemical and natural, that you suspect may be causing an allergic reaction.

It is important to keep one's scalp clean in order to avoid head sores.
It is important to keep one's scalp clean in order to avoid head sores.

Change your shampoo or other hair products if they are causing dryness of the scalp. Some shampoos strip the natural oils from your scalp, causing it to flake and crack, allowing infection to set in. Wash your hair with a shampoo containing tea tree oil, known to calm inflammation and kill bacteria on the scalp. Use a hypoallergenic, perfume and color free shampoo as this is less likely to dry and irritate your scalp.

Head sores may be worsened by scratching.
Head sores may be worsened by scratching.

Shampoos and dry scalp treatments containing rosemary and lavender are often used to cleanse head sores because they have natural healing and antibacterial properties. Try chamomile and eucalyptus oil to help calm the itching sensation and hydrate the scalp. Lotions containing oatmeal are also known to calm itching. Oatmeal can sometimes help with fungal infections due to its antifungal properties. If a fungal infection is suspected, visit your doctor for medical treatment.

Stress may lead to the development of head sores.
Stress may lead to the development of head sores.

Skin conditions such as eczema or acne can become infected resulting in head sores. Keep the area clean and visit your doctor as soon as possible. Infection should be treated quickly before it has a chance to spread. Apply a warm compress to soothe the itching throughout the day. Try not to scratch head stores as this can cause inflammation, bleeding and infection.

Shampoos that contain lavender can be soothing when applied to the scalp.
Shampoos that contain lavender can be soothing when applied to the scalp.

Head sores can be brought on by stress and worsened by scratching. Identify sources of stress in your life and try to address them. You may not realize what you are stressed about, but by talking to someone, you can identify areas in your life that you can work on improving. Stress-related sores can then have a chance to heal.

Discussion Comments

lluviaporos

@Fa5t3r - Kids also tend to just bang their heads a lot more often than adults, because they are so much more adventurous and active. I wouldn't discount the fact that it might just be some kind of contact injury if a sore appears out of nowhere for a few days and isn't a regular thing.

Fa5t3r

@pleonasm - I find that putting a lot of ointment on makes it less likely that they will scratch, since it makes the scab feel more like skin and less like something that should be removed from skin.

I would also make sure that you or they are washing their hair the right amount. Kids don't have the same kind of oil production that adults do, so they shouldn't have to wash as often. Washing their hair too much might strip away the natural oils and harm their skin, leaving them more prone to sores.

If it sticks around, another possibility is that they might have something like ringworm. We were always playing with local cats and kittens and coming home with ringworm and it was particularly icky when it was on our heads.

pleonasm

If it's a sore on the head of a child that you're worried about, then I would make sure that they are not scratching it. I know I used to pick at scabs a lot when I was a kid, and since a sore on your head is hidden from view, it can be worse since you can't see how bad it's getting.

You can try explaining to them that it won't heal, but they might be doing it unconsciously. Basically, you might have to just be very vigilant and remind them every time their hand goes to their head that they shouldn't scratch.

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    • It is important to keep one's scalp clean in order to avoid head sores.
      By: naka
      It is important to keep one's scalp clean in order to avoid head sores.
    • Head sores may be worsened by scratching.
      By: Claireliot
      Head sores may be worsened by scratching.
    • Stress may lead to the development of head sores.
      By: Focus Pocus LTD
      Stress may lead to the development of head sores.
    • Shampoos that contain lavender can be soothing when applied to the scalp.
      By: EuToch
      Shampoos that contain lavender can be soothing when applied to the scalp.
    • Oatmeal soap helps heal dry skin.
      By: Timmary
      Oatmeal soap helps heal dry skin.
    • Eucalyptus oil can help hydrate the scalp and calm the itching sensation caused by head sores.
      By: PhotoSG
      Eucalyptus oil can help hydrate the scalp and calm the itching sensation caused by head sores.