Im sorry if this has already been answered, but i just got an account here, and i dont have the time because my head hurts so freakin' much. One (or two) of my dreadlocks has tighten alot at the root, so my scalp is very irritated at those places. I have tried to "cut off" some of the hairstraws that was very tight, and ive tried to loosen the others. What to do, dreadbrothers and sister? thank you for your answer. Its very much aprechiated!! :groupwave: edit: the scalp around those places seem to get a bit dry after some time. Happened one place, but it didnt hurt as much as one i have now.
Well, kind of hard to say. I think those were made about a year ago or so. I didnt use to comb my hair, so all the hair in my back was knotted. We separated them (cut them apart, not so smart since its itching sometimes when its in contact with my scalp), and i havent done much to them ever since. I just read something about apple cider vinegar? Is that something i should try? This dread im talking about didnt start to hurt until today. Its not itching, its more like it stings, i guess. Really bad stinging.
stinging? Thats odd. Can you see your scalp? Is it red or freaky looking where it hurts? Ive never experienced a stinging sensation....sometimes my head gets sore if I have my hair up for too long....but the discomfort stops when I put my hair down. maybe you should wash your hair more? Or maybe you have a scalp issue of sorts. I dunno.
Ntaaa, its never been like this. Its so sore that it stings? I dont know. Its a bit red. But yeah, very sore atleast. I wash my hair on a regular basis, so it shouldnt be the reason. edit: i tried to get my friend to look at it, and she said she almost couldnt see the roots because its so tight. Its red, though.. Irritated.
Hmmmm... that has never happened. I really wish I could help you out, but hopefully it will get better soon.
I guess ill try the apple cider vinegar. Its better now than early this morning, and hopefully the soarness will go away. Thanks anyway, and if anyone comes up with anything, let me know Ill also tell you how the vinegar worked out. Peace and love!
my head stings if I don't wash my scalp properly or often enough, I used to be fine but now my hairs gotten used to being washed every other day if I don't wash it every 2-3 days now it gets irritating and if I scratch my scalp where its irritating that area stings, which I contribute to the oils on my scalp causing stinging if near where I've scratched, so if you've been scratching the sore area or even rubbing it alot then it could be related to scalp build up etc. What do you wash them with, how often and have you changed either of these recently. Also the dreads in question are naturally formed and then very quickly the roots tightened of their own accord? oO
try using conditioner for a wash, to loosen up the roots... otherwise, i have no idea. i dont think acv would work
yeah, from what you said it sounds like you think it's because they're so tight at the roots and it's pulling. i've never had a big problem with that, but sometimes it happens a little. i just try to pull out the roots that are being pulled. but like i said it's usually only a tiny few hairs that are being pulled so it's no biggie.
I am SO glad that someone has finally posted about this! I wanted to, but didn't know how to describe the problem, except to call "those" dreads that hurt "pullies." I do believe I've had the problem - in fact, I did tonight, with one newer dreadie. I've come to think that some people really do have more sensitive scalps than others, or certain parts of the scalp is more sensitive. Here's what I've done when I get those painful dread pullies: Wash my hair (paying special attention to giving my scalp a good massage). I really don't think it matters much what you wash with; I do find an ACV rinse seems beneficial. Put conditioner onto my super-dry dreads, or onto the part of my hair that is hurting. I know...I hate to use conditioner because it can interfere with the dreading process, but sometimes (especially during the dry winter) I think conditioner is necessary - at least for some heads of hair. I've also rubbed a bit of olive oil onto a dread that was a "pullie", or an especially dry dread that was scratchy against my scalp. LAST resort: Cut the pullie. I had 2 tiny dreads that I had experimented with, and they had tightened too much. I cut them and am regrowing them, because I figured it's better to do that than to end up with follicle damage. Also, cutting a thicker dread in half. Some of mine that had congo'd, or that I had wrapped to encourage congoing, ended up needing to be thinner. Good luck, and if anyone else has input, I'd welcome it as much as MV would! -sr
This is more addressing the red/sore scalp then the actual pulling dread: Whenever my scalp or hair gets dry I use a Rosemary Tea mixture (just boil some rosemary leaves in water, then when it's cooled down, wash your hair with it and rub your scalp). It should be more soothing then the ACV and might help reduce the redness. Plus it does wonders for any dandruff/dry scalp build up
I find my pullies sort themselves out. To help the paaaaain I massage the roots, and then I guess my scalp either gets used to it or it does sort itself out. Also if there is a pullie where I can find the one bugger of a hair that is pulling I will DESTROYYYYY it. ^^
Thanks alot for such good answers!! At this moment I use the ginger/anti dandruff shampoo from The body shop, and sometimes the baby buriti shampoo (no nasties) from the same place. Other times I just rinse it good with water, but i gotta have some conditioner in the parts of my hair that isnt dreads yet. Ive been using the ginger shampoo for some time, and its always been really good to my scalp. I wash my hair maybe once a week, sometimes longer or shorter, depending on how it feels. Ive only had the problem with a pullie once before. Ive been thinking for some time now that the scalp on that area is a little strange... Really glad i found this forum! On the other pullie (that is the problem now) is a bit better actually. I pulled out some really annoying hair, and ive been trying to rub it a bit. Thanks for the rosemary tea tip! ill try it out. where can i find rosemary tea leaves? :s
It's probably a couple loose hairs stuck under a dread. It's happened to me a few times, once I pull 2 or 3 loose hairs out it doesn't hurt anymore.
Worst thing is when you get an infected hair follicle, or a pimple on the scalp right under a dread. Irritating as fuck and hard to fix
