A dry, itchy scalp can be an embarrassing problem to have. Not only do you wind up scratching your head in public, but you usually have a sprinkling of white flakes on your shoulders without knowing it. Oops! But a dry scalp isn’t necessarily dandruff, so those special shampoos won’t help you. Instead, try these methods to battle your itching scalp and get long-lasting relief.
Causes of Dry Scalp
When that scalp starts itching, it has probably been getting dry for a little while. This dry-out could be caused by any number of reasons, such as eczema, dietary deficiencies, food allergies, cold and dry weather, over washing, or the wrong hair care products. Identifying the cause of your dry scalp is the key to treating the problem. You may need to make a few adjustments to get complete relief.
All-Natural Shampoo
For many, the problem of dry scalp could be directly link to the products you use to wash your hair. As Skin-Remedies.com details, several common ingredients in hair care products and shampoos have been shown to cause dryness. Look for the chemical ingredients Phthalates, sodium lauryl sulfate, DEA, MEA, TEA, and artificial fragrances, which can cause irritation, itching, flaking, and dryness. Alcohol, commonly found in shampoos, is also over-drying to the scalp and skin in general.
Switching shampoos to one that does not contain any of these ingredients could help cure and prevent dry, itchy scalp. You may have to read a lot of ingredient lists, but you should see quick relief if that’s the root cause of your dryness.
Skin-Remedies.com recommends a natural but effective shampoo containing the three key ingredients of tea tree oil, shea butter, and urea. Tea tree oil restores the skin and cures scalp issues of all types, while shea butter soothes and moisturizes and urea relieves the “pulling” sensation of the scalp that causes itchiness. Combined, these ingredients bring a quick solution to your dry scalp problem.
Diet & Lifestyle Solutions
If it’s not the shampoo causing your dry scalp, consider trying one of these techniques to find some relief:
- Use a conditioning treatment or hot oil treatment to bring moisture quickly to your scalp. Just applying this twice a week can help you fight off this uncomfortable condition.
- Massage your scalp with your fingertips to bring blood circulation throughout the skin, which can help soothe your symptoms. Try this when you shampoo or condition the hair, just be careful not to scratch your scalp with your fingernails.
- Add Vitamin B to your diet, since this nutritional deficiency is linked to scalp and skin disorders. Eating fruits, vegetables and whole-grain breads can help, but a daily multivitamin will also help you reach your daily vitamin B intake too.
- Avoid spicy foods, sugary foods, salty foods, and alcohol, all of which can trigger irritation and itchiness of the scalp.
See a Dermatologist
If you can’t find relief anywhere, it might be time to see a specialist. Visit a dermatologist to determine the cause of your dry scalp and get a solution once and for all. He or she will be able to diagnose conditions like dandruff or eczema and prescribe treatment creams, if needed.
References:
- Everyday Health. 7 Dry Scalp Treatments.
- Skin-Remedies.com. What to Do for Itchy, Flaky Dry Scalp.
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