What Causes an Itching Neck?

An itching neck could be caused by many things, including allergies, sunburn, or head lice. Insect bites are another possible culprit responsible for an itching neck. The appearance of the irritated neck areas can typically give a person clues as to the cause of the itchiness. It might also be a good idea for someone to think about things that have recently occurred that might have caused the itching, such as the use of a new hair product or recent sun exposure. Through the process of trial and error, a person can typically determine what is causing his neck to itch.

One of the first things a person should think about if her neck is itching is what products she has recently used on or around it. Sometimes a person's skin will be allergic to perfumes, shampoos, or hair dye that have come in contact with her skin, particularly if it is the first time she has used that particular product. It might be a good idea to stop using any products that have just been introduced to see if that takes care of the itching. If not, the itching is likely a result of something else, such as bug bites or prolonged sun exposure.

A close examination of the area where the neck itches may also give a person a good idea of what is going on. If there are bumps that resemble tiny bites, the problem could be bug bites. Skin on the neck that is cracked or peeling might actually be itching due to sunburn. If the neck itches around the hairline and the backs of the ears, it could be due to head lice. A person who suspects he may have head lice should closely examine his hair near the scalp, which is where lice typically lay their eggs.

Products like hydrocortisone cream and calamine lotion may give a person relief from an itching neck, but the problem will likely continue if the root cause isn't determined and taken care of. If a product is responsible for the itching, a person should typically change brands. Bug bites, such as from mosquitoes or gnats, normally go away by themselves after a few days. If head lice are the problem, a person will probably need to buy some medicated lice shampoo to get rid of them, in addition to combing the nits out of his hair. If the cause of an itching neck cannot be determined, a doctor's visit may be in order.