title: Sensitive scalp: does this condition exist? An epidemiological study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The concept of the 'sensitive scalp' is vague. However, the 'sensitive skin syndrome' is probably not limited to the face.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate and analyse sensitive scalp conditions.
  
  
  METHODS
  1011 individuals, representative of the French population, were investigated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  44.2 % declared suffering from a 'sensitive scalp' (47.4% of women versus 40.8% of men). Of these subjects, 11.5% reported having an associated scalp disease versus 1.1% of non-sensitive subjects. Hair loss was significantly associated with scalp sensitivity. The scalp was dry for 24%, normal for 58%, greasy for 16% and mixed for 1%. 13% complained of prickling, 25% of itching and 2% of burning or pain. These symptoms were more frequent among those with a 'sensitive scalp'. The main triggering factors were considered to be pollution, heat, emotions and shampoos. No other area of skin sensitivity was specifically associated with scalp sensitivity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  'Scalp sensitivity' exists and occurs frequently. Triggering factors are numerous. Symptoms appear different from those of facial skin sensitivity. Further studies to define and assess sensitive scalp conditions are needed.
authors: Department of Dermatology, University Hospital, Brest, France. laurent.misery@chu-brest.fr
authors: Laurent
authors: L
authors: Misery
authors: Vincent
authors: V
authors: Sibaud
authors: Marc
authors: M
authors: Ambronati
authors: Guy
authors: G
authors: Macy
authors: Sami
authors: S
authors: Boussetta
authors: Charles
authors: C
authors: Taieb
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000505:Alopecia / Q000453:epidemiology; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D015984:Causality; D004644:Emotions; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000009:adverse effects; D016021:Epidemiologic Studies; D005260:Female; D005602:France / Q000453:epidemiology; D006203:Hair Preparations / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology; D011537:Pruritus / Q000209:etiology; D012536:Scalp Dermatoses / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D013696:Temperature
chemical_list: D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D006203:Hair Preparations