BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Scalp dysesthesia is characterized by the presence of several localized or diffuse symptoms, such as burning, pain, pruritus or stinging sensations, without objective findings in the physical examination of the patient that can explain and link the existing symptomatology to some other etiology. The aim of this study was to describe a case of scalp dysesthesia, from its clinical and laboratory investigation and the conduct adopted. CASE REPORT: A 38-year-old male patient, first assigned to the Dermatology Service, with complaints of pruritus in the scalp for 5 years. In the consultation at the Pain Service, the patient complained of daily, intermittent and burning dysesthetic sensations, such as tingling and pruritus in the bipariethoccipital region, worsening with heat and associated with severe pain in the cervical region. Upon physical examination, evidence of excoriations associated with this pruritus was found. The patient received conservative pharmacological treatment, with significant improvement of the symptomatology after 3 months. CONCLUSION: Larger prospective studies are needed to further characterize the pathogenesis of scalp dysesthesia, to generate optimization of the available therapeutic options and consequently improve the care that is given to patients. This report corroborates with some findings already described in the literature, such as the association with cervical alterations and the improvement through the use of low-dose antidepressants and anticonvulsants such as gabapentin.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
customersupport@researchsolutions.com
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Copyright © 2025 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.