I have itchy bumps on my head. How do I treat it?

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

I have gone through your picture and details (the attachments were removed to protect the patient's identity). I am glad you shaved your hair, as it makes the scalp changes much easier to assess.

Based on the image and your history, your scalp shows multiple small bumps with mild redness, which is most consistent with scalp dermatitis, most likely seborrheic dermatitis with inflamed hair follicles. This condition commonly causes recurrent bumps, itching, and irritation, especially on the scalp and hairline.

It tends to flare and settle repeatedly, which explains why the bumps come and go rather than disappearing permanently. Shaving does not cause this condition, but it can make the bumps more noticeable.

Dermatitis occurs due to scalp inflammation, often triggered by excess oil, yeast (Malassezia), sweating, stress, or frequent scratching.

When the scalp barrier becomes inflamed, the hair follicles swell and form itchy bumps. This condition is not dangerous and not contagious, but it does require proper treatment to fully settle.

For treatment, apply Betamethasone lotion or solution once daily at night, directly to the affected areas, for two weeks only. This will help reduce inflammation, itching, and bump formation.

For scalp cleansing, use Ketoconazole shampoo twice weekly and your regular shampoo on the other days. Leave the shampoo on the scalp for three to five minutes before rinsing to allow it to work effectively.

General care is very important. Avoid scratching or picking at the bumps, avoid using very hot water on your scalp, and do not apply oils or heavy pomades for now, as these can worsen inflammation.

Try to keep your scalp clean and dry, especially if you sweat a lot. Stress and lack of sleep can also trigger flare-ups, so managing these factors can help more than many people realize.

I would like to ask one important question to help rule out other possible causes: do these bumps ever go away completely, or do they only shrink and then flare again? This helps differentiate dermatitis from conditions such as folliculitis or acne keloidalis.

Please follow up after two weeks of treatment.

I hope this helps.

Thank you.