(female) Every now and then I get bumps on my scalp that are tender, itchy. Awhile after I lightly scratch my head,some of the bumps have oozed and dried. I also notice my scalp is oilier than normal and I lose hair. Sometimes one of these bumps appear at my hairline and have a white head on it. What is this and what causes it?
Thank you.
Sounds like you get outbreaks of folliculitis for which you should see a good dermatologist to learn prevention techniques. Folliculitis reflects infections around the hair follicles, most often involving the sebaceous gland. The bacteria that cause these infections reside on the skin. Folliculitis can be caused by scratching of the skin, breaking the skin surface making it vulnerable to infection, or glands that are very oily with the openings of the hair follicle blocked with sebum. Good washing and hygene techniques usually work well to prevent the process.