A Beginner’s guide to itchy scalp treatment at home

Overview

Have you been scratching your head a lot lately? Do you always feel an itchy sensation in your scalp? If yes, then it's time for some serious damage control.

Itchiness is harmful to your scalp in the long run. In addition to the obvious discomfort, you can develop redness and small bumps on the scalp. If you leave it untreated you might experience excessive hair fall and new growth might be stunted. This can cause bald patches. Now, isn't that a nightmare?

There is no one-size-fits-all solution for an itchy scalp. Itchy scalp treatments aim at treating the potential cause. In this article, we will take a detailed look into how and why itchy scalp happens and how we can treat this at home.

What causes an itchy scalp?

One of the major causes of itchy scalp is a scalp infection called seborrheic dermatitis which causes dandruff. Kindly note that this condition can also develop in infants and is known as cradle cap.

Now, what triggers seborrheic dermatitis? It’s most probably caused by an overgrowth of yeast bacteria or a fluctuation in hormones that cause oversecretion of oil and sebum by the sebaceous glands.

Scalp itching mainly occurs in those with sensitive scalps but underlying medical conditions also sometimes contribute to it. Here are some probable causes:

• Diabetes
• Shingles
• Medication allergy
• Anxiety disorders
• Contact dermatitis
• Discoid lupus
• Lice
• Psoriasis(an autoimmune disorder)
• Alopecia
• Ringworm

Symptoms to watch out for:

• A tingling or painful sensation in the scalp
• Patches of bald areas
• Irritated skin
• Slight fever
• Pus-filled sores on the scalp
• Redness
• Scaly patches on the scalp
• Swelling on the scalp
• Painful bumps on the scalp surface

When do I need to see a doctor?

We all suffer from the itchy scalp at some point in our lives. Most of them are easily treatable at home. However, if the itchiness persists longer than 1 week then it's time to consult a doctor. Check for tiny, red bumps and swellings that hurt every time you comb your hair. That’s a tell-tale sign that you need medical advice.

On a lighter note, here are some home remedies for itchy scalp

        1.Apple Cider Vinegar- Apple cider vinegar has antifungal and antibacterial properties. So, it will help in reducing the itchiness caused by dry scalp. Here’s how you can use it:

• Warm some water and mix apple cider vinegar with it.
• Use this concoction as a rinse after cleansing with shampoo.

This is very good for dandruff and helps in alleviating itchiness. Wondering how to get rid of dandruff at home? You can check out our 7 simple home remedies to treat dandruff naturally.

        2.Organic Coconut Oil- The oil extracted from mature coconuts is organic. Coconut oil contains lauric acid which is monounsaturated fatty acid-containing antimicrobial properties. This helps in better absorption of the coconut oil by the scalp. A well-moisturised scalp will immediately reduce the itchy sensation. Warm some coconut oil and massage your scalp gently a few days a week.

        3. Peppermint Oil- Peppermint oil calms down itching and alleviates dandruff. You can use it with olive oil and massage your scalp before shampooing. You can also use peppermint tea as a rinse after  shampooing.

        4. Meditation- Stress and lifestyle can affect the condition of our scalp. This can often lead to dry, sensitive and itchy scalp. Researches have shown that doing meditation daily lowers scalp conditions caused by stress. Meditation along with itchy head remedies is very beneficial.

        5. Tea Tree Oil- This essential oil is well known for its antiseptic and antimicrobial properties. It can effectively reduce itchiness associated with dandruff, seborrheic dermatitis and head lice. Do not use it directly on the scalp, especially if it is sensitive. Experts recommend diluting this with other oils before applying it to the scalp. You can use tea tree oil in shampoos or mix it with other oils. Pour 15-20 drops of tea tree oil into your daily shampoo and cleanse your scalp. If you wish to massage your scalp, mix it with olive oil for good results. 

        6. Zinc Pyrithione Shampoo- Zinc Pyrithione is a compound commonly used in shampoos to treat allergic scalp conditions and seborrheic dermatitis.

        7. Salicylic acid- Salicylic acid is a beta-hydroxy acid that is found naturally in evergreen leaves and white willow tree bark. It is very effective in treating conditions such as psoriasis and seborrheic dermatitis. Its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties gently moisturise the scalp and remove scaly patches. Cleanse with a shampoo containing salicylic acid a few times in the week. Kindly note that you should not use this type of shampoo if you are allergic to aspirin. 

        8. Ketoconazole Shampoo- Ketoconazole is a broad-spectrum antifungal compound that helps in reducing the growth of a yeast called Malassezia. An abundance of this yeast causes psoriasis and seborrheic dermatitis. Ketoconazole helps treat scaly patches and dry scalp conditions. Most ketoconazole shampoos contain 1-2% of this as an active ingredient. Shampoo frequently for good results.

        9. Selenium Sulfide- This compound helps arrest yeast growth on the affected scalp. It is found in both shampoos and lotions. Usually, doctors recommend using selenium sulfide twice a week for better results.

You can choose shampoos containing the above ingredients from Purplle, one of India’s largest online shops for makeup and skincare products. Here are our Top Recommendations:

• Indulekha Bringha Anti Hair fall hair cleanser Shampoo(340ml)- Infused with Ayurvedic elixirs such as amla, bhringraj, neem, shikakai and gooseberry extracts, this shampoo relieves itchiness and provide nourishment to the scalp. Bhringraj and amla work together to strengthen hair follicles and promote hair growth.

• Wow Skin Science Apple Cider Vinegar Shampoo(300ml)- The apple cider vinegar gently detoxifies the scalp and removes impurities. It also helps the scalp in retaining more moisture while promoting hair growth. This shampoo is also infused with the goodness of sweet almond oil and argan oil that moisturises dry strands and prevents split ends.

• Alps Goodness Anti Dandruff Shampoo for Dry Scalp(290ml)- Worried about dry and itchy scalp? This unique formula birthed from nature and science has outstanding ingredients that strengthen hair follicles and lends a healthy shine to your hair. Aloe vera gently moisturises the scalp and reduces itchiness. Almond oil provides nourishment to the scalp and hair.

• Thrive Co Anti Dandruff Pre-Shampoo treatment lotion(50ml)- Say bye-bye to itchy scalp and hair fall with this pre-shampoo treatment that strengthens and nourishes your hair roots and scalp. You can see changes right from your first wash. Continued usage will give you a clean scalp and strong hair.

Wrapping up

Scalp itchiness is a common occurrence. Itchy scalp treatment will solely depend on the root cause of the condition. By following the methods above, you will be able to get relief from itchiness and dry scalp conditions. Now shop for shampoos and treatment solutions from Purplle at attractive prices. We deliver pan India with cash on delivery services at all major locations. So, when are you visiting us?