Scalp dysesthesia is a cutaneous condition characterised by pain and burning sensations without objective physical examination findings.
A theory behind the condition is that nerves innervating scalp hair follicles send pain messages back to the brain when the follicle no longer has a hair in it, in a similar way to phantom limb pain.
Another theory is that people who have this condition (sometimes called "ponytail syndrome") have super-sensitive nerves in their scalp.
[citation needed] In a recent study it was hypothesised that the unpleasant sensations experienced in scalp dysesthesia are the result of a sensory neuropathy secondary to cervical spine dysfunction and chronic tension of the pericranial muscles.
[3] A possible treatment is to halt hair loss in the patient, however it is important to understand and address any underlying psychologic comorbity.