Question
Why does the scalp hurt when touched, with pain worsening in specific areas when the hair is touched, and this condition occurs intermittently?
Answer
The most common cause of scalp pain upon touch is an infection of the scalp soft tissue due to conditions such as folliculitis, sebaceous glanditis, or sweat glanditis. Additionally, exogenous growths like epidermoid cysts or sebaceous cysts may also cause tenderness if they are infected. Other possibilities include proliferative diseases, such as regional infections caused by common warts, which may also result in pain upon touch.