Is having an itchy head a symptom of Alzheimer's disease?

1 answer | Last updated: Jun 15, 2011
Linda Sn asked...
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Caring.com User - Jennifer Serafin, N.P.
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Jennifer Serafin, N.P. is a registered nurse and geriatric nurse practitioner at the Jewish Homes for the Aged in San Francisco.
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In my experience, I have not heard or seen any research that shows that an itchy head is a sign of Alzheimer's Disease. I do know that many people with See also:
Is forgetting words you intend to say a sign of Alzheimer's?

See all 184 questions about Alzheimer's Signs and Symptoms
Alzheimer's will often do repetitive behaviors, like tapping or saying the same phrase over and over. Perhaps scratching a body part, like their scalp, could fall in this category.

Regarding your itchy scalp, this is usually caused by dry skin, dermatitis, or seborrheic dermatitis. Seborrheic dermatitis, called "cradle cap" in infants, causes dandruff in adults. Oddly enough, it coincides with neurological conditions like a strokes, Parkinson’s disease, or head injuries, but not Alzheimer's disease. If it continues to bother you, you could always see a dermatologist for an opinion. Good luck!

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