Results
Three pruritic skin conditions had a higher incidence among those with more frequent scalp itch. The chart below (Figure 1) shows that seborrheic dermatitis, chronic dermatitis, and dry skin year round were far more common among those with more frequent scalp itch than among those with less frequent scalp itch. The incidence of psoriasis and atopic background/history did not demonstrate this trend. Both seborrheic dermatitis on the scalp and chronic dermatitis on the scalp tended to have a higher incidence in those who had more frequent scalp itch versus those who had less frequent scalp itch. Both of these conditions tended to have a lower incidence on the scalp than on the skin. (Figure 2) In addition, those with more frequent scalp itch were more likely to have a history of scalp dermatitis (any type) than those with less frequent scalp itch.

Figure 1

Pruritic Conditions
	Scalp Itch Occurrence
	Constantly	Several Times Daily	Every Day	Once Every Few Days	Once a Week	Less than Once a Week
Seborrheic Dermatitis	19%	7%	10%	5%	1%	4%
Seborrheic Dermatitis on Scalp	19%	6%	7%	2%	1%	3%
Psoriasis	13%	16%	12%	10%	5%	7%
Psoriasis on Scalp	9%	13%	8%	6%	2%	4%
Chronic Dermatitis	44%	34%	31%	18%	18%	12%
Chronic Dermatitis on Scalp	34%	20%	17%	6%	3%	2%
No History of Scalp Dermatitis	44%	58%	66%	76%	84%	87%
Dry Skin Year Round	63%	53%	49%	40%	24%	28%
Atopic History	65%	54%	35%	34%	44%	33%
Atopic Background	32%	33%	45%	49%	42%	51%
Non-Atopic	3%	13%	20%	17%	14%	16%

Figure 2

With shampooing frequency data, 41% of those with constant scalp itch shampoo daily and 27% shampoo less than twice a week. For those with less frequent scalp itch, a lower percentage shampoos less than twice a week. (Figure 3)

Figure 3

Shampooing and Scalp Itch
How often do you shampoo?	Scalp Itch Occurrence
	Constantly	Several Times Daily	Every Day	Once Every Few Days	Once a Week	Less than Once a Week
Daily	41%	42%	38%	40%	55%	43%
Every Other Day	19%	27%	34%	31%	18%	21%
Twice a Week	13%	11%	17%	16%	10%	23%
Less than Twice a Week	27%	20%	11%	13%	17%	13%

Those with frequent scalp itch are more likely than those with less frequent scalp itch to have the problem year round. However, the problem is more likely to be worse in winter in those with less frequent scalp itch, than in those with more frequent scalp itch. (Figures 4, 5) There were no other seasonal trends in the data.

Figure 4

Seasonality of Scalp Itch
What Season is Scalp Itch Worse?	Scalp Itch Occurrence
	Constantly	Several Times Daily	Every Day	Once Every Few Days	Once a Week	Less than Once a Week
No Seasonal Change	75%	62%	66%	53%	54%	48%
Winter	9%	14%	15%	21%	25%	24%
Other Season	16%	24%	19%	26%	21%	27%

Figure 5

The intensity of the scalp itch was more likely to be mild for those experiencing less frequent scalp itch. For those with more frequent scalp itch, the severity of the itch tended to be more intense, with more people reporting moderate or moderate to severe scalp itch. (Figure 6 and Figure 7)

Figure 6

Scalp Itch Intensity
Intensity of Itch	Scalp Itch Occurrence
	Constantly	Several Times Daily	Every Day	Once Every Few Days	Once a Week	Less than Once a Week
Mild	25%	28%	42%	53%	64%	62%
Mild to Moderate	25%	35%	35%	36%	29%	27%
Moderate	31%	26%	19%	10%	7%	10%
Moderate to Severe	19%	12%	4%	1%	0%	1%

Figure 7

Those with more frequent scalp itch are more likely to seek medical help for the problem. More than 20% of people with itch every day or more often sought help. (Figures 8, 9)

Figure 8

Sought Medical Help for Scalp Itch
Itch Frequency
Constantly	Several Times Daily	Every Day	Once Every Few Days	Once a Week	Less than Once a Week
28%	23%	22%	16%	9%	13%

Figure 9

Discussion/Conclusions/References

 

 

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