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What Causes Several Pustules On Scalp After Hair Coloring?

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Posted on Mon, 15 Sep 2014
Question: Hi there, a few weeks ago, my scalp broke out in several pustules. It was shortly after I had my hair colored. They popped, were painful and crusted over. I still have a few. One occipital lymph node became palpable and painful. Since then, there are still a few healing small sores. The lymph node went down and is no longer painful, but I can still feel it. I would say its soft and about a half inch or smaller, but I can't feel the one on the other side, so I am just wondering if this is something to be concerned about. Im really not sure if it was palpable before the sores, so it could be normal. I have no other symptoms other than the healing scalp pustules.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Sanjay Kumar Kanodia (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Palpable Lymph Node :Normal sequel. Don't worry.

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

Welcome and thanks for posting your query to the forum.

I can understand your concern for the problem of palpable lymph node at occipital region.

After reading your query with diligence and interpreting all the information let me first reassure you that your palpable lymph node is normal natural sequel of healing scalp.

Now to tell you medically- Other than blood vessels form the skin (both arteries and veins) our scalp skin is drained by special vessels known as lymph vessels or lymphatics. These lymphatics drain at various lymph nodes which are the draining points. Anything which is present in the skin has to first drain through these lymph nodes and then passes to general circulation.

In your case due to infection and inflammation of the scalp the lymphatics carried both bacteria and more number of white blood cells to the lymph nodes. Though there are multiple lymph nodes draining the scalp but if the infection is more at the back and top of the scalp then the occipital node is more involved. During the active infection the lymph node itself is more active and inflamed therefore gets enlarged at its peak.

As soon as the infection is controlled this inflammation and activity comes down and therefore the lymph node also gets into normal shape slowly.

Now is your healing phase and the active inflammation has subsided so the lymph node is also palpable accordingly. It would be completely normal in next few weeks.
There is no need to be worried for this lymph node.

I hope you must be relaxed to know the simple facts. I will be glad to guide you any further.

With regards,

Dr Sanjay Kumar Kanodia
MD- Dermatology & Sexually transmitted diseases
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Sanjay Kumar Kanodia (44 hours later)
So how long after the final 2 scalp sores are completely healed should I see this lymph node go away? I should not worry with this as long as it does not get bigger, correct?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Sanjay Kumar Kanodia (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Nodes get reduced in few weeks

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

Welcome again to the forum and thanks for follow up.

Once your sores gets healed up completely the lymph node would disappear by itself. It would not get bigger, so there is nothing to be worried about.

In general it takes few weeks of period for the node to get reduced after the healing of basic lesions such as in your case the healing of sores.

I hope you must be relaxed to know the simple facts. I will be glad to guide you any further.

With regards,

Dr Sanjay Kumar Kanodia
MD- Dermatology & Sexually transmitted diseases
Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Sanjay Kumar Kanodia

Dermatologist

Practicing since :2002

Answered : 4165 Questions

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What Causes Several Pustules On Scalp After Hair Coloring?

Brief Answer: Palpable Lymph Node :Normal sequel. Don't worry. Detailed Answer: Hello, Welcome and thanks for posting your query to the forum. I can understand your concern for the problem of palpable lymph node at occipital region. After reading your query with diligence and interpreting all the information let me first reassure you that your palpable lymph node is normal natural sequel of healing scalp. Now to tell you medically- Other than blood vessels form the skin (both arteries and veins) our scalp skin is drained by special vessels known as lymph vessels or lymphatics. These lymphatics drain at various lymph nodes which are the draining points. Anything which is present in the skin has to first drain through these lymph nodes and then passes to general circulation. In your case due to infection and inflammation of the scalp the lymphatics carried both bacteria and more number of white blood cells to the lymph nodes. Though there are multiple lymph nodes draining the scalp but if the infection is more at the back and top of the scalp then the occipital node is more involved. During the active infection the lymph node itself is more active and inflamed therefore gets enlarged at its peak. As soon as the infection is controlled this inflammation and activity comes down and therefore the lymph node also gets into normal shape slowly. Now is your healing phase and the active inflammation has subsided so the lymph node is also palpable accordingly. It would be completely normal in next few weeks. There is no need to be worried for this lymph node. I hope you must be relaxed to know the simple facts. I will be glad to guide you any further. With regards, Dr Sanjay Kumar Kanodia MD- Dermatology & Sexually transmitted diseases