What is the cause of itchy scalp and hair loss

When we stroke a dog, we find that its scalp hair is sparse, and even reddish skin can be seen. The dog also frequently scratches its head with its paws, restless and uneasy. At that moment, worries and heartache surged in my heart. Dogs cannot speak, they can only transmit physical discomfort through these behaviors. Behind the itching and hair loss of dogs' scalp, there are many complex reasons that are not only related to the beauty of their hair, but also closely related to their physical health. Every abnormal scratching and shedding of hair is like a "distress signal" they send to their owners, worthy of our serious exploration for answers.

Parasitic infection is a common and major cause of scalp itching and hair loss in dogs. Fleas and other ectoparasites like to hide in the thick fur of dogs, especially on the scalp, neck, and other areas. They feed on the blood of dogs for a living, and during the bite process, the saliva secreted by fleas will enter the dog's body, which is a foreign substance to the dog's immune system and can cause allergic reactions. Dogs will feel extremely itchy scalp, as if countless small insects are gnawing on it. They can only keep scratching with their paws or rubbing their heads on the ground or furniture in an attempt to relieve the itching. Frequent and forceful scratching can cause a large amount of hair on the scalp to fall off, and in severe cases, even patches of bald spots may appear, turning the originally smooth hair into a messy mess.

Ticks are also the main culprit threatening the scalp health of dogs. Ticks firmly adhere to the scalp and skin of dogs, deeply piercing their mouthparts and releasing toxins while feeding on blood. The area bitten by ticks often shows redness, swelling, and itching, and dogs may scratch frequently due to discomfort. Moreover, ticks carry various pathogens that may cause serious diseases such as Lyme disease and Babesia in dogs, further endangering their health. When the owner sees a dog suffering from tick bites and even experiencing symptoms such as mental fatigue and loss of appetite, their heart is filled with anxiety and self blame, wishing they could immediately help the dog get rid of these despicable parasites.

In addition to fleas and ticks, mite infection is also an important cause of scalp problems in dogs. Scabies mites can burrow into the surface of a dog's skin, digging tunnels inside the epidermis and causing severe itching. The scalp of dogs is one of the easily invaded areas by scabies mites. After infection, the scalp will show redness, papules, rough skin, and dogs will scratch wildly, causing a large amount of hair to fall off. In severe cases, symptoms such as scabbing and thickening may also occur. Demodex mites parasitize in the hair follicles and sebaceous glands of dogs. When a dog's immune system declines, the mites multiply in large numbers, leading to demodex disease. Dogs with illnesses may experience hair loss and increased dandruff on their scalp. Although the itching is relatively mild, if left untreated, the condition can gradually worsen and even spread throughout the body.

Fungal infection is also a common cause of scalp itching and hair loss in dogs. In warm and humid environments, fungi are prone to grow, and dogs have dense hair on their heads. If cleaning and care are not done properly, or if the hair is not thoroughly dried after bathing, it creates favorable growth conditions for fungi. Among them, the most common ringworm disease caused by Microsporidia canis and Microsporidia gypsum is what we commonly refer to as "canine ringworm". After being infected with fungi, dogs will have circular or oval depilation spots on their scalp, covered with gray white scales, and a persistent itching sensation. Dogs often scratch the affected area with their paws or bite with their mouths, causing the depilation area to continuously expand and the skin to become red, swollen, and damaged. Watching the dog restless due to the torment of fungi, the owner's heart is filled with heartache and an urgent desire to find an effective treatment to help the dog recover its health as soon as possible.

Allergic reactions can also cause itching and hair loss problems on dogs' scalp. Dogs may be allergic to certain ingredients in their food, such as beef, milk, wheat, etc; It may also be allergic to substances such as pollen, dust mites, and mold in the environment. When dogs come into contact with allergens, their immune system recognizes them as harmful substances, which can trigger allergic reactions. When allergic, dogs may experience redness, swelling, and strong itching on their scalp. They will constantly scratch their heads, causing hair loss, and in severe cases, symptoms such as rash and scabbing may occur. Some dogs may even cause skin damage due to excessive scratching, leading to infections and exacerbating their condition. Watching the dog suffer from allergies, the owner is both heartbroken and anxious, determined to find the allergen and keep the dog away from this torment.

In addition, hormonal imbalances in dogs may also lead to scalp itching and hair loss. When a dog's thyroid function declines, insufficient secretion of thyroid hormones in the body can affect metabolism, leading to dry skin, hair loss, and the scalp area is no exception. Hyperfunction of the adrenal cortex can increase cortisol levels in dogs, leading to skin thinning, hair loss, pigmentation, and other issues. These endocrine problems not only affect the appearance of dogs, but also have a serious impact on their overall health, leading to symptoms such as mental fatigue and loss of appetite.

There are various reasons for dogs' scalp itching and hair loss, each of which can cause great pain to dogs. As owners, we should always pay attention to the physical condition of our dogs and carefully observe their behavioral changes. When dogs are found to have abnormalities, take them to a pet hospital for professional examination in a timely manner, identify the cause and actively treat it. At the same time, we should take preventive measures in our daily lives, regularly deworming our dogs, maintaining a clean living environment, and eating a reasonable diet. With our love and care, we can protect the health of our dogs, so that they can happily accompany us and no longer suffer from illness.