An itchy scalp rarely causes lasting hair loss on its own, but the conditions behind the itch can — and constant scratching breaks hairs mechanically. The common, benign cause is seborrhoeic dermatitis (dandruff): flaking, redness and itch that respond to an antifungal shampoo. The ones that need urgent care are different: pustules or sores (folliculitis or infection), or smooth, shiny patches where hair won't grow back (scarring alopecia) — these can cause permanent loss and are time-sensitive. Use the checker below to sort benign from red-flag, then act accordingly.
Try the free self-check →Sources: AAD — shedding ↗
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Not medical advice. General education only; it does not replace diagnosis or treatment by a licensed professional. Consult a board-certified dermatologist before starting, stopping or changing any treatment.
⚠️ When to see a doctor — don’t self-treat
- Sudden patchy or circular bald spots
- Redness, scaling, pus, pain or itch (possible scarring alopecia — treat urgently)
- Broken hairs or rapid loss
- Loss with body-wide signs (weight loss, fatigue, cycle changes, acne, extra hair)
- Loss right after a new medication
- Any hair loss in a child