Itchy bites on scalp - don’t think it’s head lice

[Tedder145]

About 3 weeks ago, I woke up to some fairly intense itching in 4 different places on my scalp. The itch is localised to those 4 places IYSWIM.

Several weeks later, the itch is still there and still pretty intense. I can feel bumps/scabs from where I’ve been scratching (I know!).

Checked myself and both kids dipped or lice... can’t see any sign of them at all (treated us all anyway).

Any ideas what it could be and more importantly, how to relieve the itch? It’s driving me a bit crazy.

for head lice not dipped or lice

Bed bugs?

From my own experience of similar I’d still be guessing head lice. They are such seriously fast buggers. A tonne of conditioner to slow them down and a long fine comb and you might find some. Otherwise maybe a new shampoo?

Maybe you were near a dog or cat that has fleas. They will bite a human, which is very itchy, but they don't/can't live on humans.

If they're still there weeks later it sounds more like an allergy or eczema/dermatitis on your scalp. When I get a flare up it can appear as scabs, bumps and intense itching. If you take an antihistamine does it help at all? Have you started any new shampoos or conditioners, or dyed your hair? New washing powder on your bedding? Mine is triggered by stress...

I’ve checked for bed bugs in the mattress but can’t see any signs.

We have cats and I swear the fleas like me rather than them (I’ve been bitten before) But the itch hasn’t lasted 3 weeks...

Conditioner it is I guess!

Do the bumps/bites look and feel a bit like mossie bites/chicken pox? Do you feel like you're being driven mad by the itching and that you want to tear your skin off? If so, I'd hazard a guess that you might have scabies. 6 weeks after infection, your body starts to realise there's an unwelcome intruder, so starts an allergic immune reaction - hence the itchy spots. Scabies are irritated by heat, so to test if you have them, put a hot water bottle on your head and see if within 10-15 minutes it suddenly gets worse, or have a bath and stick your head under water. Good luck!

@Xiaoxiong

If they're still there weeks later it sounds more like an allergy or eczema/dermatitis on your scalp. When I get a flare up it can appear as scabs, bumps and intense itching. If you take an antihistamine does it help at all? Have you started any new shampoos or conditioners, or dyed your hair? New washing powder on your bedding? Mine is triggered by stress...

Sorry, didn’t spot this. I’ll try an antihistamine, hadn’t thought of that. No new shampoos, conditioners or hair dying. No new washing powder or unusual stress lately. Will try it and see if it works. ,

@Mythreeknights

Do the bumps/bites look and feel a bit like mossie bites/chicken pox? Do you feel like you're being driven mad by the itching and that you want to tear your skin off? If so, I'd hazard a guess that you might have scabies. 6 weeks after infection, your body starts to realise there's an unwelcome intruder, so starts an allergic immune reaction - hence the itchy spots. Scabies are irritated by heat, so to test if you have them, put a hot water bottle on your head and see if within 10-15 minutes it suddenly gets worse, or have a bath and stick your head under water. Good luck!

I thought you normally got scabies in your hand and rarely on your head. Do I have that wrong?

I think you've got that wrong - have a google.