Skin Health What's Causing Your Itchy Forehead and How to Treat It By Sherry Christiansen Sherry Christiansen is a medical writer with a healthcare background. She has worked in the hospital setting and collaborated on Alzheimer's research. Learn about our editorial process Sherry Christiansen Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Leah Ansell, MD on June 18, 2021 linkedin Leah Ansell, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist and an assistant professor of dermatology at Columbia University. Learn about our Medical Review Board Leah Ansell, MD Published on June 23, 2021 Print Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Causes When to See a Doctor Treatment Prevention There are many reasons why a person might have an itchy forehead, including an allergy to contact with various allergens and irritants, as well as several skin conditions. The good news is that an itchy forehead usually results from a condition that is very easy to treat: dry skin. Simply changing the type of shampoo and cosmetic products you use and tweaking your daily hygiene routine can often be enough to effectively treat an itchy forehead. In other instances, when a medical condition is an underlying cause, a consultation with a healthcare provider may be necessary. It’s important to be able to decipher the difference when it comes to the cause of an itchy forehead so you can treat it properly. This article discusses the causes and treatment of an itchy forehead. Getty Images Causes Itchy Forehead Without a Rash The most common cause of an itchy forehead without a rash is a harmless condition called dry skin. Dry skin can be caused by: Cold, dry weather, and other environmental factors Using soaps, makeup, or lotions that contain harsh chemicals or are abrasive Washing your face too often Washing your face with very hot water Wearing hats or bandanas with itchy fabrics Hair Care Products and Dry Skin Hair care products, dyes, shampoos, hair spray, and other hair styling products are common culprits of an itchy forehead without a rash. Many of these products contain things known to irritate the skin, including: Sulfates Alcohol Mineral oil Synthetic fragrances Itchy Forehead With a Rash One of the most common causes of an itchy forehead with a rash is an allergic response to something the skin has had direct contact with, a condition that is medically coined contact dermatitis. Contact dermatitis is caused by direct contact with irritants or allergens. Symptoms of contact dermatitis include a red rash that is: Swollen Burning or stinging Blistered (may also be oozing or crusting) Dry and cracked Scaly Itchy Painful Contact dermatitis will usually clear up after the irritant or allergen that caused the skin reaction has been removed. Other causes of an itchy forehead with a rash may include: Insect bites A heat rash or sunburn Stress Seborrheic dermatitis Itchy Forehead With Red Spots Several skin conditions with symptoms of red spots can cause your forehead to itch, including: Psoriasis: A chronic (long-term) inflammatory skin disease that is considered an autoimmune disorder Eczema: A chronic skin condition that involves periods of flare-ups and remissions. It is considered an autoimmune disorder. There are several types of eczema, including atopic eczema (the most common form) and contact dermatitis. When to See a Doctor When symptoms of an itchy forehead (with or without a rash or red spots) do not respond to treatment or prevention measures (such as eliminating irritants), or when the symptoms are severe enough to disrupt your daily routine, it’s important to see your healthcare provider. Treatment The treatment of an itchy forehead depends on the underlying cause of the symptoms. Skin Conditions Treatment of atopic dermatitis (eczema) may include a prescription for a topical (on the skin) steroid cream to help alleviate inflammation and itching. For contact dermatitis, the treatment may involve a patch test to help identify and eliminate irritants or allergens that are causing an itchy forehead with a rash. It’s important to have a healthy home skin care routine, using only the approved skin care products, such as those suggested by the National Eczema Association. If eczema is severe, your doctor may prescribe an oral (by mouth) or injectable medication, such as a corticosteroid to treat symptoms like severe inflammation. Prevention Prevention measures for the most common cause of an itchy forehead—dry skin—include: An antihistamine (to treat symptoms of itching caused by an allergic reaction) Home remedies (such as the use of colloidal oatmeal to alleviate itching) The use of a humidifier when the air is dry Avoiding the use of hot water when showering or washing the hair Eliminating the use of products with harsh ingredients (such as soaps, shampoos, cosmetics, and more) that may irritate the skin Eating a healthy diet (including healthy fats such as olive oil or avocados to help prevent dry skin) Wearing sunscreen to protect the skin from burning Establishing a healthy skin care routine Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit Article Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Cleveland Clinic. Do you itch? Know the signs of an underlying medical problem. Updated January 18, 2017. Cleveland Clinic. Contact dermatitis. Updated October 10, 2019. Michigan Medicine. UOFM Health. Scalp Problems. February 26, 2020.