Painful hair follicles in the scalp can be the result of a variety of causes including harsh shampoos, styling products or pulling hair too tight to achieve certain styles. The scalp may feel itchy, painful to the touch or have a burning sensation. Relief from painful hair follicles involves learning the reason behind the affliction so you may know how to treat it effectively.

Change your shampoo. Your shampoo may contain harsh cleansers that dry out hair follicles and result in painful conditions. Avoid shampoos containing sodium laureth sulfate and look for shampoos that contain wheatgerm and jojoba oils, which calm the skin around hair follicles.

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Massage oils into the scalp. Before shampooing, wet your hair and massage a dime-sized amount of non-scented lavender or eucalyptus oil gently into the scalp. Place a towel over your head and allow the oil to soak into the scalp for 10 minutes before shampooing.

Steep a large mug of chamomile tea and allow it to cool. Wet your hair thoroughly and pour the tea over your scalp. Gently massage the tea into the skin on your head. Rinse the tea from your scalp with cool water to refresh the skin. Allow the hair to air dry and shampoo the next morning.

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Rinse your hair and scalp with cool water. Work a gentle hair conditioner into hair follicles on the scalp. Wrap your head with a towel and allow it to remain for 10 minutes. Rinse the conditioner from your hair with cool water. The cool moisture along with the conditioner soothes an itchy and burning scalp.

Tips

Avoid pulling your hair into tight hair styles which may cause painful hair follicles.

Avoid blow drying hair or use the cool setting. Hot, dry air may acerbate the already tender and painful scalp.

Soak ingrown hair bumps with a moist cloth to relieve pain and help loosen the hair.

Warnings

See your doctor or dermatologist if scalp pain becomes chronic.