Itchy Rash on the Neck

General Causes of Neck Itch

Itchy conditions that may, among other parts of skin, affect the neck:

• Sunburn
• Acne
• Staphylococcal folliculitis
• Insect bite
• Allergies to food or medications, cholinergic urticaria
• Herpes zoster (shingles)
• Liver disease with jaundice, kidney disease with uremia and other causes of itchy skin

Allergies and Neck Itch

Allergy to Jewelry and Clothes

Jewelry containing nickel may cause allergic reaction, that typically appears as red, itchy rash at the points of contact with the jewelry.

Substances in first time worn unwashed shirts or shawls may cause neck itch with or without rash.

Allergy to Hair Dyes and Cosmetics

First time allergic reaction to hair dye appears several hours after hair coloring, but subsequent exposures may cause reaction in few minutes. Skin on the scalp, neck, front, and eyelids may become red, itchy, and severely swollen. Symptoms may last for several hours and usually disappear without consequences.

Allergy to perfumes, makeup, aftershave, or shampoos usually appears as red skin with bumpy or patchy hives.

Allergy to Food and Medications

Allergies to food or medications typically appear as swollen face, itchy lips, and itchy hives on the neck and upper trunk, few minutes or several hours after ingestion. In severe allergy, difficulty breathing, and faintness may accompany the rash.

Itch of The Bearded Area in Men

The following conditions primarily affect the bearded area in men:

• Folliculitis barbae (click for picture) is staphylococcal infection of hair follicles on the bearded area of men. Red bumps with white heads resemble acne.
• Pseudofolliculitis is non-infectious inflammation of hair follicles in men with curly hair. Red bumps without white heads appear several hours to few days after shaving.
• Tinea barbae (barber’s itch) is fungal infection of bearded area in men who work with animals (1). It appears as rounded reddish patches that may reach several centimeters in size. Treatment is with antifungal drugs by mouth (1).

Conditions Affecting the Scalp and Neck

The following conditions primarily affect the scalp but may extend to the back of the neck:

• Folliculitis keloidalis is scar-like skin thickening of the hair border on the back of the neck
• Tinea capitis is fungal infection of the scalp and neck, mainly affecting school-aged children. It appears as scaly, pustular reddish patch of the skin. Treatment is with antifungal drugs by mouth (1).
• Allergy to head lice saliva appears as an itchy red bumps on the neck and shoulders
• Hair dye allergies (see above)

Further Reading:

Itchy Face
Itchy Scalp
Itchy Arms and Hands
Causes of Itchy Skin
Itch (Pruritus) – Diagnosis and Treatment

References:

1. Tinea barbae and tinea capitis pictures and treatment (aafp.org)