I shower pretty much every day, but I noticed on the few days that I skip the shower, that my scalp is just a bit tender to the touch during the day.
It doesn’t ache without me touching it, and when I do it is barely noticable, but it’s there.
Anyone know what this is? Anybody else notice this on themselves?
I want to know what it is too! I get this, but it’s not mild, it really hurts like hell when I try and brush my hair. <shudder> I went two days without washing my hair this week because I was very sick and between the scalp ache and tangles I just wanted to shave all my hair off.
I always thought it was psychosomatic, but then again I grew up with the kind of mother who thought everything was in my head and would just tell me to go sit on the toilet. I have “issues”. Think I’ll just hope down to MPSIMS now…
One theory a friend speculated about was that while sleeping, the hair gets gently pulled while I toss and turn. Maybe the hot shower relaxes the follicles, relieving it somehow.
Interesting theory! Of course, taking this to its logical conclusion, I now must ask how long the hair of you individuals suffering from this scalp ache is. I myself have relatively short hair, not quite short enough to spike (unless I pull a daniel ash), but just a bit beyond that point. I have never had a tender scalp from not showering for a day or so. Perhaps the real problem you all have is that your hair is so long that, when you go without showering, the above theory on what’s going on is true, whereas people like me could basically go forever without any kind of problem either way.
-H.P.E.
Actually, my hair is and always has been pretty short. Points against my friend’s theory I guess.
That kind of kills my theory, too. I was speculating that it might be pulling my hair back in a pony-tail that caused it, but since Revtime has short hair and my scalp doesn’t hurt when it is clean…well, back to the drawing board.
Maybe we are just hypersensitive to our own oils or whatever it us up there?
I’ve had hair no longer than an inch long for about 15 years (all my adult life) and have never noticed this aching on the rare days when I don’t shower.
I HAVE noticed, however, that when I don’t get laid for a while I get this ache…oh, nevermind.
I get the scalp ache on occasion as well. Usually it takes two days without washing, but it does occur after one day as well. I have “long” hair. (It has been to my shoulderblades but is now at my chin.) My hair is also fairly oily (i.e. looks best if its washed daily and doesn’t look so hot if it isn’t) so I don’t know if that has anything to do with it, but it might, eh?
I wouldn’t consider my hair oily, but not really dry either. Maybe the oilier the hair, the more scalp ache?
This makes sense. Perhaps it’s like tatertot suggests, that it’s the oil that causes the ache, and showering it away prevents it.
tatertot, would you characterize your hair as oily?
I’m just guessing here, but if your hair is oily, perhaps the follicles are becoming clogged. I have oily hair and must wash it every day to prevent it from looking greasy. (yuck) However, while on extending hiking trips, I may not shower for two weeks but I’ve not noticed any scalp ache.
My hair is about average I guess, not too oily or dry. It is, however very, very thick. And I do have very sensitive skin, all over my body.
When I get the scalp ache, it feels like the pain is going all the way through my scalp skin and the area feels slightly “puffy” or “spongy”.
Oh, and sometimes I get dandruff when the seasons change. I don’t know if that’s relevant or not, but I want to give all the info possible.
And Revtime, damn you to heck! I was perfectly happy to write this off as one of those weird things about me til you came in here looking for answers. Now I want answers too! I may even <shudder> research.
Also to just add info, I’ve never had dandruff ever, to my recollection.
tatertot, have you had any luck doing research? All my web searches come up with is info related to scalp ache as a result of getting plugs or using Propecia.