We all have that itch that’s just begging to be scratched, but nothing goes worse and more annoying than an itchy scalp. That dry, scaly feeling makes it seem like something is crawling up your scalp, constantly poking and prodding at it, and all you want to do is drag your nails over it until it stops. Yes, we feel your pain. Luckily, there are easier and better ways to deal with it.
Why do we Itch?
There could be many reasons why we feel itchy. These primarily include accumulation of sweat, dandruff, seasonal dryness, and disturbance of the scalp’s pH. Inflammation caused due to stress, hormonal imbalance, or seasonal changes, may also cause us to feel itchy. Head lice or fungal and bacterial infections can also lead to the same experience.
How to Treat an Itchy Scalp?
1. Hydrate: Did you know not being hydrated enough is one of the leading causes of itchy skin? Did you know you need to drink at least three liters of water daily to keep your scalp and hair hydrated? You can add fresh fruit juices, infused water, and water-rich foods to your diet to give you extra hydration.
2. Eat your vitamins: A healthy scalp and hair need a good dose of vitamins. That’s where eating right comes in. You should switch to vitamin-rich foods like spinach, brown rice, carrots, broccoli, flaxseed oil, coconut oil, and almonds. What you eat will turn into nourishment for your scalp and hair roots.
3. Massage your scalp: An excellent old head massage does wonders to help evenly distribute the natural oils produced by the scalp. It is advisable to use nourishing hair oil to boost the hair roots with nutrition and hydration. You can also check out our range of safe, gentle, and toxin-free hair oils. They come with a comb applicator that helps apply the oil evenly and reduce dryness.
4. Wash your hair with care: Follow a routine when washing it, and be wary of cleansing it daily. You should not use hot water when you wash your hair. Doing so can dry out your scalp.
Hair care experts recommend washing your hair thrice a week. It will help cleanse the scalp of excess oil and dirt and give the scalp’s natural oils time to nourish and repair the roots.
5. Avoid harsh products: Say goodbye to chemically-enriched haircare products and opt for natural alternatives. Ensure you use mild and gentle hair care products like hair shampoo and hair conditioner.
Note:
We recommend you avoid chemically-enriched haircare products containing harmful chemicals and toxins like SLS or parabens. The same goes for hair care products containing dyes and synthetic fragrances.
6. Stop sharing: When it comes to your hair, sharing isn’t caring. So avoid sharing combs, brushes, hats, and even pillowcases to avoid the transfer of head lice or other infections.
7. Say yes to aloe vera: Aloe vera helps soothe the scalp because it is an effective moisturizer. It can help reduce dandruff as well as heal minor scratches and bumps. Simply apply it to the scalp for 15-20 mins and then rinse with lukewarm or cold water.
8. Exfoliate the scalp: Exfoliation isn’t just for your face and body- your scalp needs it too. It helps clear away excess oil, dead skin cells, and product residue from the skin.
9. Use a hair mask: Using the right shampoo for an itching scalp isn’t always enough. A hair mask comes in handy if you’d like to give your hair the extra hydration it needs while giving it a shinier finish.
10. Go natural: Natural remedies for treating an irritated scalp include an apple cider vinegar rinse, yogurt and egg hair mask, baking soda, and lemon juice. Essential oils like peppermint, tea tree, jojoba, neem, and lemongrass have also proven effective.
The Connection between Itchiness & Hair loss
Hair fall and itchiness usually go hand in hand. This is because of aggressive scratching or because the underlying cause weakens the hair follicles. Once the cause is treated, healing the itchy scalp with hair loss should also be reduced.
The takeaway
Did you know that an itchy scalp is a common condition that can happen at any time of the year? While it can be managed, it is tedious to deal with. It comes down to making a few mindful lifestyle changes and using the right products.
Choosing the best itchy scalp shampoo, for instance, is of prime importance. Your chosen product should soothe irritation and treat the underlying cause, dandruff, or something else. With an itchy scalp, thinning hair may be another trouble to beat because it will increase hair fall too.
As with everything else, patience clubbed with long-term use of these hair care products is your answer to curbing hair or skin-related issues. As with everything you first use, do not forget to conduct a patch test to eliminate allergies to any particular ingredient or product ingredients. Results will show only with regular and consistent use of these products.
FAQs
Why is my scalp itchy?
Several causes could be responsible for an itchy scalp. Dandruff and itchy scalp usually go together, but skin inflammation is another major cause. This could result from stress, seasonal changes, hormone imbalance, yeast infection, etc. Other causes include psoriasis, fungal infections, eczema, head lice, and diabetes.
How to stop an itchy scalp?
When dealing with an itchy scalp, it is essential to understand the underlying cause. Some infections etc., might need medical assistance. However, most situations can be remedied with a few lifestyle changes and choosing the right hair products. Like choosing the right shampoo for an itchy scalp. You can also try natural remedies like an apple cider vinegar rinse, yogurt, egg hair mask, or even baking soda. Oils like tea tree, jojoba, coconut, argan, and peppermint are also recommended.
What is the main reason for an itchy scalp?
The scalp begins to feel itchy when the skin is irritated or inflamed. This can occur for several reasons. Dandruff and dry, flaky skin are prime among them. Inflammation caused by stress, hormonal imbalance, yeast infections, fungal infections, and even seasonal changes is also a potential cause. Head lice, too, can irritate the skin. An itchy scalp with hair loss is also common, but treating the underlying reason for the itchiness should help with that as well.
What is the main cause of itchy scalp?
Dandruff and itchy scalp are common hair care issues caused due to inflammation. They may also result from the following factors:
Stress
Hormonal imbalance
Yeast infections
Fungal infections
Seasonal changes
Psoriasis
Eczema
Head lice
Diabetes
Dryness
Imbalance in scalp’s pH
Using poor-quality hair care productsWhy is my head so itchy, but I don’t have lice or dandruff?
While dandruff is one of the most common causes of an itchy scalp, there are several reasons it can occur. Skin inflammation, usually caused by stress, seasonal changes, hormone imbalance, or yeast infections, could be another reason. Itchiness can also be caused by fungal infections of skin conditions like psoriasis or eczema. However, if there are no signs of a rash or irritation, the itchiness could result from a nerve problem. In such a case, we advise that you consult a doctor or dermatologist to determine the underlying cause.
How to get rid of an itchy scalp?
Ensure that you are adequately hydrated and are eating plenty of vitamin-rich foods like spinach, almonds, and coconut oil. Massage your scalp regularly with warm oil. Wash your hair every two-three days with warm water and gentle, itchy scalp shampoo, and use a hair mask once in a while. Avoid harsh products and sharing things like combs, brushes, and hats. If the problem persists, consult a dermatologist.
Why is my head so itchy at night?
Nocturnal pruritus or itchy scalp at night can last for a few days or be a chronic problem. It is often responsible for lack of sleep, leading to many other problems. Research suggests that it occurs due to changes in body temperature, the drop in the level of anti-inflammatory hormones, and sweating. Some experts also suggest that itchiness is more noticeable at night because you are free from the day’s distractions.
What causes a dry, itchy scalp?
Lack of moisture is often the root cause of scalp irritations as it leads to dandruff and other problems, which are responsible for an itchy scalp. However, stress, hormonal imbalance, yeast infections, and seasonal changes can also trigger skin inflammation and itchiness. An itchy scalp can also result from fungal infections or conditions like psoriasis or eczema.
Are hair fall and itchy scalp related?
Hair loss and itchy scalp are often problems that go together. However, the underlying cause for itchy scalp and hair loss need not be the same. The reason behind an itchy scalp, be it dandruff, inflammation, or a skin condition, often weakens the hair follicles resulting in hair fall. Additionally, aggressive scratching also contributes to hair loss.
Are there any solutions for itchy scalp?
An itchy scalp is quite common and is most certainly manageable. Read these tips that one can follow to keep an itchy scalp at bay:
Don’t scratch that scalp – The first thing to remember is to avoid scratching as it damages the hair. It’s one of the major reasons hair loss and itchy scalp are associated.
Stay hydrated and eat well – Drink plenty of water and eat vitamin-rich foods to nourish and hydrate the scalp from within.
Indulge in a head massage – Massaging your scalp with warm oil has also proven beneficial, as has applying aloe vera gel 15-20 mins before rinsing.
Exfoliate the dirt – Exfoliating the scalp to remove dirt and oil also helps prevent infections.
Cleanse, condition, and mask up – Washing your hair with a mild shampoo every two to three days and following up with a chemical-free conditioner always helps. Use tepid water for your hair wash, as hot water can dry it further. Use a chemical-free hair mask at least once a week to give your hair an added boost of hydration and nourishment.Which is the best itchy scalp shampoo?
Opt for a shampoo with ingredients that can help tackle hair issues like dandruff and an itchy scalp. Shampoos that have extracts of tea tree oils, neem, bhringraj, and amla are best suited for tackling hair woes like an itchy scalp. One such combination you can also use is the Tea Tree Shampoo, Conditioner & Hair Mask combo available at Mamaearth.
You may opt for our Tea Tree Anti-Dandruff Hair Regimen Kit. It helps reduce dandruff, control excess oil, and minimize itching. It also helps nourish and hydrate the hair strands.
This kit features Tea Tree Oil, Argan Oil, Lemon Oil, Cedarwood Oil, Ginger Oil, Vitamin E, and Almond Oil. They help reduce common hair car issues too. They also help reduce oxidative stress and repair damage.How to have the best hair care experience at home?
While there may be many hair care products to choose from, it is important to know that you must follow a proper regime to get rid of an itchy scalp. Here are some hair products you can add to your hair care regime to reduce an itchy scalp.
Hair Growth Oil + Hair Oil: Using safe and toxin-free hair oils like BhringAmla or Tea Tree hair oil at least twice a week can give a breath of life to dull and lifeless hair. Additionally, it would also keep issues like dandruff and split ends away.
Hair Shampoo:
To wash off the hair oil and give your hair a cleaner look, you need to use an excellent sulfate-free shampoo. Mamaearth offers a fantastic range of hair shampoos for many hair conditions.
Hair Conditioner: A hair conditioner helps to lock in and seal the moisture in your hair. Slather some conditioner on wet hair and give it a little massage, moving from the scalp to the tips of the hair. Then, rinse with warm water thoroughly.
Hair Mask: A hair mask can be used at least once a week to give your hair a salon-like experience of a hair spa. Apply on washed hair and gently massage the hair mask on the scalp for a few minutes to boost blood circulation. Next, move to the ends of the hair. Let the hair mask stay for at least 45 minutes before you wash it off.
Hair Serum: Apart from helping to detangle hair and make it stronger, a hair serum protects your hair from the harsh external environmental stressors that can damage it.
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