Mailbag: The TRUE Cause of Your Tingly Scalp
By
Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Posted March 26, 2024
“Why do I feel a tingling sensation in my scalp when I’m stressed?”
– Anonymous
Hi Anonymous,
About twenty years ago, I was running on a trail in the early morning light when a fox bolted from the cover. It ran beside me for a few yards before ditching into the woods.
I’m guessing the fox was as freaked out as I was. But after my fox friend left, I noticed that tingling sensation in my head.
It’s common to experience odd physical sensations when shocked, stressed, or anxious. Your heart may race, you might break out in a sweat or feel lightheaded, and you can have a tingling or prickling sensation in your scalp, face, fingers, or toes.
This is your body’s fight-or-flight response. When you perceive a threat, real or imagined, your body goes on high alert, preparing you to confront or escape danger.
Part of this response involves the nervous system, constricting blood vessels in less essential body parts, such as the scalp, so more blood can flow to vital muscles and organs.
This constriction can cause the sensitive nerve endings in the scalp to become active, triggering a feeling described as pins and needles, itching, tingling, or prickling.
The good news is that while these sensations are annoying, they’re harmless and temporary.
However, if you experience the tingling frequently, it’s likely a warning sign that your stress levels are too high, and that IS harmful over the long term.
Pay attention to what situations typically trigger your symptoms and try to minimize them. Then, manage your stress levels using self-care strategies such as meditation, yoga, getting enough sleep, and talking to a therapist.
In rare cases, persistent scalp tingling that’s not clearly linked to anxiety could indicate an underlying health condition, like neuropathy or a skin disorder. If you suspect stress is not triggering your symptoms, talk with your doctor about getting a diagnosis.
P.S. Still struggling with stress? Research reveals this simple, drug-free “Brain Hack” beats anxiety as well as meds.
Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.
View More Free Articles
Are Your Ears Giving You a Hidden Warning?
Do you struggle to follow conversations in crowded restaurants? Or do you find yourself repeatedly asking, “What?” at big family gatherings like Thanksgiving? Most people brush this off as a normal part of aging. But groundbreaking research suggests this common problem could be an early WARNING SIGN of something far more serious… A massive study...
Liver Brain Link Will Have You Rethinking Memory Loss
Here’s something that might surprise you… Your liver could be secretly sabotaging your brain health. We know that what happens in the liver doesn’t always stay in the liver. But now, groundbreaking research reveals just how deeply this vital organ’s health is connected to a critical aspect of aging… your memory and thinking skills. Scientists...
Nature’s Pharmacy Knocks Out Long COVID Symptoms
I’ve had many people ask me about Long COVID recently. It’s a big concern because it’s affecting more survivors than you might think. If you’re one of them—before you resign yourself to a life of lingering symptoms—there’s hope on the horizon… And it comes straight from Mother Nature herself. Recent data paints a sobering picture....
11 Hacks to Beat the Winter Blues
As the days grow shorter and the nights longer, many of us find ourselves battling more than just the cold weather. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), a form of depression that strikes during fall and winter, affects millions each year. While the exact causes aren’t fully understood, experts say that seasonal changes disrupt our body’s circadian...
Mailbag: Halt Hair Loss Naturally
“I take a lot of vitamins, but my hair is falling out by the handfuls. I am 85 years old, but don’t have any major health problems that I know of.” – Hair Today Gone Tomorrow Hi Hair Today, I understand your concern about hair loss. Few things make us feel older than our years, quite...
5 Fall Foods to Supercharge Your Immune System
It starts with a tickle in the back of your throat… Or a little sniffle or sneeze—and before you know it, you’re knocked down for the count. Cold and flu season has arrived. If you’ve managed to escape these sneaky little viruses so far, let’s try to keep it that way. Because, let’s be honest,...
Common Chemicals Could Be Sabotaging Your Sleep
Do you have trouble sleeping? Many of us blame common causes like afternoon coffee or evening screen time. But what if the real culprit is something you’d never expect—lurking right in your home? New research points to troubling evidence about how everyday chemicals could sabotage your shut-eye… Scientists have uncovered an alarming link between common...
The Forgotten Berry Your Bones Are Craving
Strawberries and blueberries rank first and second as America’s favorite berries. And, of course, cranberries shoot to the top of the list around this time of year. But there’s another underrated berry we should be giving a second look. Especially if you’re a senior concerned about your bone health. Because new research reveals this unassuming...
Gut Hack Helps You Avoid the Flu
Flu season hasn’t ramped up… yet. According to the CDC’s FluView, we’re still hovering at around one percent of the population testing positive for influenza. That’s fantastic news… but it doesn’t mean it’s time to rest. In fact, NOW is the time to prepare, because this is the calm before this season’s storm. As the...
Ditch “Calendar Age” to Live Longer and BETTER
“Age is just a number.” If we’ve heard that phrase once, we’ve heard it a thousand times. So, it’s easy to dismiss the thought. But the truth is, how old you feel is more critical than the number of candles on your birthday cake. Let me explain… Imagine the following scenario… Two 65-year-olds walk into...