Itching Scalp: Causes and Solutions

I battled with itchy scalp a few years ago.  It was a nuisance.  I scratched and knocked my head all day, almost knocking myself out at one time!   It was so annoying and uncomfortable.   I was genuinely in agony.   At one point I had a friend of mine check to make sure I did not have lice!   Immediately after a wash, the itching would start and I would be in agony.   Then a wise person said to me, why don’t you change your shampoo?   I did.   And it worked!   All my weeks of agony were caused by that shampoo.

An itchy scalp is an inflammatory reaction of the skin underneath the hair on your head.

Like me, some people have had this condition and according to the doctors, it is nothing to be alarmed about in most cases. Itchy scalp can be caused by:

• Dandruff, otherwise known as seborrheic dermatitis.
• Allergy or sensitivity to hair products, including hair dye and other chemicals.
• Scalp psoriasis.
• Excessive scratching can introduce bacteria or fungus into the layers of the scalp
• Acne
• Stress and Anxiety
• Obesity
• Inflammatory and autoimmune disorders, such as lupus and hypothyroidism
• Infection and Allergies
• Head lice
• Allergic contact dermatitis or irritant contact dermatitis, such as from a hair dye
• Folliculitis (infection of a hair follicle)
• Fungal infection (tinea capitis, ringworm) or bacterial infection of the scalp
• Sunburn

Persistent itchy scalp should be discussed with a medical professional.   However, if you suspect that your itching is not that serious, here are some home remedies that you can try to clear up the itchy problem.

Solutions

1. Change Your Hair Products

You can start by isolating the various hair products you use;  including essential and carrier oils and see if your condition clears up after not using them for a while.   If the itching does clear up without further intervention on your part it is likely that the product was the culprit.

2. Eliminate Dry Scalp Conditions With Moisturizer

If your scalp is dry, it will itch.   So you will have to eliminate this condition by using moisturizing products.   Home solutions should have water as the base of the mixture and then add your oils like:   olive,  jojoba and rosemary.

3. Squash Dandruff in Its Tracks

• One way to do this at home is to apply aloe vera gel at the itchy spots or use it to massage in your scalp.
• A wash with baking soda could also do the trick for itchy scalp.   Dilute in water and then massage over the scalp.   It will sting a little in the areas where you have scratched the hair and left it raw.

4. Use Your Common Kitchen Ingredients

Some common kitchen staples can do the trick for you:

Apple cider Vinegar- Rinse hair with the vinegar.   Use one part water and one part vinegar and massage it into the scalp.   Leave on fifteen minutes and then rinse out.

Lemon Juice- Add 3 tsps lemon juice to 4 tsps coconut oil and part hair in small sections adding the oil and juice to the hair.   Leave in for twenty minutes and rinse out.

Eucalyptus Oil- Add eucalyptus to olive oil.   Heat oils and add to scalp in small sections, massage into hair and leave overnight.

Yogurt- a blend of yogurt and rosemary can relieve itchy scalp make into a paste and rub on scalp, leave in for an hour or more and rinse out.

Tea Tree Oil- 1 tbsp. of tea tree oil with 1 tsp. of olive or coconut oil, and then apply the mixture to your scalp.   Wrap your hair in a plastic cap, leave on overnight and then wash as usual.

Source: http://www.bettermedicine.com/article/itchy-scalp