Home Remedies for Itching Scalp

An itching scalp can be a symptom of several skin conditions, including dry skin, fungal infections, eczema (dermatitis), and psoriasis. In most cases, the itchiness is caused by an inflammation of the skin, which causes discomfort and sometimes pain. In the more severe conditions, such as psoriasis, patients may end up losing hair in places where the scalp is affected. If the cause of itching is not clear, a visit to a dermatologist will help in diagnosing the problem. Based on the problem the dermatologist will also prescribe appropriate medication to deal with your condition. At home, the challenge is to deal with the itching, since any accidental scratches on the scalp can easily be infected by bacteria and other organisms.

Sometimes an itching scalp may be a sign that your skin is allergic to a particular hair care product. Try switching brands or moving to natural, non-toxic products to see if there is any difference. Maintain good hair hygiene, and shampoo at least twice a week. Take care to rinse out all of the shampoo; any remaining chemicals can irritate the scalp skin. If you have dry hair, avoid using hot water and scrubbing your scalp with a towel. This will only reduce the amount of sebum, an oil-like natural moisturizer produced by the scalp. You can provide additional nourishment to your scalp by gently massaging it using natural oils such as almond or olive oil. This also stimulates the blood flow in the scalp, thereby increasing the production of sebum. While brushing your hair, avoid using brushes with sharp, irritating points. A wide-tooth comb will usually help you groom your hair without irritating the scalp.

Itchy Scalp Dandruff

Another common cause of an itchy scalp is dandruff. This is caused by a yeast-like fungus that feeds on sebum. If this fungus grows in excessive amounts, it irritates the scalp and causes a rapid turnover of dead skin cells. Under normal condition, your scalp drops old skin cells and replaces them with new cells in about one month, a process that cannot be normally seen or felt. However, in dandruff this turnover rate is cut in half, leading to large amounts of dead skin appearing in the form of very visible dandruff flakes. Luckily, most fungal infections can be safely treated at home. A daily rinse with a solution of tree tea oil will help, since the oil has active antifungal ingredients. You can even add a few drops of tea tree oil to your shampoo every day as a preventive measure. Aloe vera solutions also help in protecting the scalp and encouraging the inflamed skin to heal faster.