Having a scalp that's painful or sensitive to the touch is something many people with lupus experience. One possible cause worth knowing about is occipital neuralgia — a condition involving irritated or inflamed nerves, which can sometimes be associated with lupus.
With occipital neuralgia, even light contact with the scalp Show Full Answer
Having a scalp that's painful or sensitive to the touch is something many people with lupus experience. One possible cause worth knowing about is occipital neuralgia — a condition involving irritated or inflamed nerves, which can sometimes be associated with lupus.
With occipital neuralgia, even light contact with the scalp can trigger pain. That means everyday things like:
- Brushing your hair
- Resting your head on a pillow
- Drying your hair with a towel
...can all set it off. Lupus can also cause nerve-related skin sensations on the scalp more broadly, so scalp tenderness or sensitivity isn't unusual as a lupus symptom.
It's really worth mentioning this to your doctor, especially if it's new or getting worse. They can help figure out the exact cause and suggest the right treatment for you. Tracking when it happens and how long it lasts before your appointment can be really helpful too.
June 9
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