Itchy Scalps can be very Irritating!
An itchy scalp can cause a lot of discomfort. It is wise to try and find out what is causing the itchiness before you decide on a solution.
Listed below are different causes for the unwanted itching
Dandruff
It usually becomes apparent that this is your problem when the scalp is dry and itchy with visible flakes on your hair and clothing. How can you get rid of it? Find out more from our earlier blog post.
Top Natural Ways to Deal with Dandruff | Healing Natural Oils (amoils.com)
Reaction to a hair care product
This can be another reason for an itchy, dry and flaky scalp. It may be as simple as making sure you rinse your hair really well after shampooing or you may have a condition called allergic contact dermatitis. This is common among people who dye their hair with the ingredient in the dye (called para-phenylenediamine or PPD) often being the culprit. Another reason could be having an allergy to a particular shampoo, conditioner or other product that touches your scalp. You should get relief soon after stopping using the product.
Hives
These are red, raised, and very itchy bumps that can form anywhere on the skin, including the scalp. Hives tend to come and go within a few hours. They may well come back again and if they do come and go for longer than 6 weeks, they’re called chronic (long-lasting) hives. Treatment for hives can be carried out naturally or through medication. There are also various triggers for this skin condition.
Head lice
An itchy scalp is the most common symptom of head lice. If you suspect that head lice are causing the itch, ask someone to closely examine your scalp and hair for signs of these tiny bugs. Find out more about the sign, symptoms and how to treat head lice.
Head Lice: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment | Healing Natural Oils (amoils.com)
Scabies
This is caused by a tiny bug called the human itch mite. If these mites burrow into your scalp, your scalp can become quite itchy which is the most common symptom of scabies, and it can be so intense that it keeps you awake at night. Treatment for scabies includes medication which has to be applied extensively over the body. It is also possible to treat the skin condition in a more natural way.
Scalp ringworm
Ringworm isn’t caused by worms but is an infection caused by a fungus. If you get ringworm on your scalp, you’ll likely have a red and intensely itchy rash. To get relief, you need an accurate diagnosis and treatment for ringworm. Treating ringworm on the scalp requires prescription medication, so you’ll need to see a doctor or dermatologist.
Scalp psoriasis
About 50% of the people who have plaque psoriasis experience a flare-up on the scalp at some point. On the scalp, you may have reddish patches, dandruff-like flaking, silvery-white scale, and a dry scalp. Scalp psoriasis is often itchy, with the itch ranging from mild to intense. Find out more about this skin condition here. Scalp psoriasis can extend beyond the scalp to the back of the neck or behind the ears.
You can treat psoriasis with our specially formulated H-Psoriasis Formula which is perfect for the symptoms of all types of psoriasis including the most common - Plaque psoriasis - with raised red patches and build-up of dead skin or scales known as plaques and usually appearing on the knees, elbows and scalp with itchy and painful symptoms that can crack and bleed. A natural product is safer and gentler to use, helping to soothe the skin rather than irritate it further with harsh chemicals.
Scalp Psoriasis Can Mean the Discomfort of Redness and Itchiness (amoils.com)
Atopic dermatitis
If you have a type of eczema known as atopic dermatitis (AD), it can develop on your scalp. When this happens, you can have redness and scale on your scalp with some sufferers even feeling a burning sensation as well as itchiness. One way to treat this skin condition is with H-Eczema Formula which helps to reduce outbreaks and to assist in smoothing, re-texturing and moisturizing the skin. The Formula addresses the signs of eczema (itching, dryness) as well as helping to re-moisturize the skin.
Nerve issue
An intensely itchy scalp without signs of a rash or another skin reaction can be a sign of a nerve issue or neuropathy where there is a problem along a nerve due to damage, disease or an abnormality in the way the nerve works. Diseases that can affect your nerves include shingles and diabetes. Scarring can also damage nerves. If you have hair loss that has caused scars that run deep, those scars could have damaged your nerves, leading to itching. If there is scarring on the scalp due to hair loss, this can cause an intensely itchy scalp. Obviously, it is important to get to the root cause of any nerve problem and finding a solution by seeking medical advice.
SOURCES:
5 best uses of coconut oil for hair. (n.d.)
draxe.com/coconut-oil-for-hair/. (Accessed, August 8, 2021).
Do you have an itchy scalp? 5 common problems and fixes. (2016, April 13)
health.clevelandclinic.org/2016/04/itchy-scalp-5-common-problems-and-fixes/. (Accessed, August 8, 2021).
FAQ: Does stress cause dandruff? (n.d.)
headandshoulders.com/en-us/about/faq/does-stress-cause-dandruff. (Accessed, August 8, 2021).
Itchy, dry & sensitive scalp. (n.d.)
headandshoulders.com/en-us/healthy-hair-and-scalp/itchy-dry-sensitive-scalp/itchy-dry-and-sensitive-scalp. (Accessed, August 8, 2021).
See How to Identify Different Skin Conditions
Written by Jane Chitty
Jane writes for Healing Natural Oils, a producer and retailer of high-quality, all-natural treatments for a variety of conditions as well as a range of beauty products. Apart from writing about those various conditions, she also covers general health, environmental and other subjects of interest. She has lived in Kenya as well as Cape Town, South Africa and spent time in San Diego, USA. She now lives in Somerset, England with regular visits from her far-flung children and grandchildren. She is a keen gardener and enjoys growing fresh fruit and vegetables with her husband on their joint allotment. As a result, there is something available to use in the kitchen virtually all year round. Her regular posts can be found on our blog.