How do I fix a dry, itchy scalp?
For instant relief, apply tea tree oil to itchy spots on your scalp as needed. To prevent irritation, dilute tea tree oil with a carrier oil, such as olive or vitamin E oil, before rubbing it on your scalp. You can also add 10 to 20 drops to a bottle of gentle shampoo. Shake before each use to combine. Coconut Oil – Coconut oil can moisturize the scalp, while its antifungal and antibacterial properties can reduce the risk of infection. Apply a small amount of melted coconut oil directly to your scalp and massage it into the skin. Let sit for 10 minutes, and then wash your hair as usual.However, if over-the-counter products don’t do the trick, it’s time to see a board-certified dermatologist for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan. Below, dermatologists speak to several common—and potentially serious—conditions that could be lurking behind your dry scalp.Home remedies like apple cider vinegar rinses, lemongrass oil, and colloidal oatmeal can help relieve itching and dryness. Home remedies for a dry, itchy scalp work best when paired with scalp medications that treat the root cause of dryness.Treatment for your scalp yeast infection may include an antifungal medication. Your healthcare provider may recommend an antifungal shampoo, foam or ointment. You can buy many antifungal medications over-the-counter. Your healthcare provider may prescribe a stronger antifungal option if needed.And applying specially formulated conditioner from root to tip can help address a dry scalp (which may alleviate flaking and itching too! You should use conditioner every time you shampoo. And, for those with drier scalps you should condition between washes as well to protect your scalps moisture barrier.
Why is my scalp so itchy like crazy?
Dandruff can cause an itchy scalp. Sometimes a fungus can cause dandruff. Other skin conditions can also cause dandruff. Seborrheic dermatitis occurs on parts of your body where the skin is oily. What Causes A Dry Scalp? A number of environmental, hormonal and medical causes can result in a dry scalp: Changes in the weather, whether due to seasonal variance or travelling, can affect your skin and hair. Different levels of humidity, wind, heat, cold weather and exposure to sun can all irritate your skin.A really dry scalp can also result in discomfort, sensitivity, and visible flaking. And even if you’re not experiencing flaking, research shows that your scalp’s condition can affect how your hair looks and feels—an imbalanced scalp could contribute to breakage, roughness, and split ends.Thyroid disorders can directly impact the health of the scalp, leading to symptoms such as itching, dryness, and inflammation. Changes in thyroid hormone levels can alter the skin’s natural moisture balance, leading to dry, flaky skin and increased sensitivity to environmental irritants.Dry scalp is caused by a lack of moisture in the skin, while dandruff is caused by an excess of oil on the scalp and an overgrowth of Malassezia yeast. With dry scalp, your skin gets irritated and flakes off. With dandruff, the excess oil and yeast overgrowth causes skin cells to build up and then shed.Several hormones have been implicated in the development of dandruff, including androgens, cortisol, and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1)1. Androgens, such as testosterone and dihydrotestosterone (DHT), are known to stimulate the production of sebum, the oily substance secreted by the sebaceous glands in the scalp.
What is the root cause of dry, itchy scalp?
Using unsuitable products: Hair products that don’t suit your scalp type can cause irritation or allergic reactions, leading to dry and damaged hair roots. Underlying skin conditions: Issues such as psoriasis, anemia, or other dermatological conditions can cause the scalp to become dry, irritated, and flaky. What Vitamin Deficiencies Can Cause an Itchy Scalp? If you have low levels of Vitamin B2, B6, and B3 and zinc, you could end up experiencing an itchy scalp or other skin issues.Diets high in sugars and/or low on B vitamins, zinc and omega-3s can potentially cause dandruff on scalp. While high sugar diets can increase chances of scalp inflammation, lack of hydration and essential vitamins and minerals in daily diet can aggravate the symptoms of dandruff.A vitamin deficiency of certain vitamins can make this situation much worse. Vitamins D, B2, B3, B6, B7 are usually associated with a flaky scalp.Vitamin A: Essential for cell growth and development. A lack of Vitamin A may lead to dry, itchy and unbalanced scalp that would directly affect a healthy growing environment for all hair types.
How to tell if itchy scalp is fungal?
Itchy and Flaky Scalp An intensely itchy scalp is often the first sign of a fungal infection. The constant urge to scratch can be overwhelming as fungi colonise the skin. White, flaky scales typically develop and may shed from the scalp, resembling severe dandruff. Unlike true dandruff flakes, however, the flakes associated with dry scalp tend to be smaller and whiter. Dandruff flakes are larger and may be yellow-tinged or look oily. While both dandruff and dry scalp tend to come and go, dandruff that is due to a fungal infection is unlikely to get better without treatment.The root cause of dandruff is the single-celled microbe Malassezia globosa, which exists on everyone’s scalp. Around 50% of people’s bodies have a negative reaction to the presence of this fungus, causing dandruff.Tinea capitis is a fungal infection of the scalp hairs. Tinea capitis is also known as ringworm and herpes tonsurans infection. It is caused primarily by the dermatophyte species Microsporum and Trichophyton. The fungi can penetrate the hair follicle outer root sheath and ultimately may invade the hair shaft.It can also be caused by medical conditions, medications, stress and even certain hair products that are too harsh. You can identify a yeast infection on the scalp by looking for red cracks or patches, white flakes and white pus-filled pimples.
Why is my head itching so badly?
To make matters worse, finding the cause of all that itching can be…well, a real head-scratcher. More than just a minor annoyance, an itchy scalp can be a symptom of many different underlying dermatological conditions, including dandruff, psoriasis, eczema, lice, or possibly an allergic reaction to hair products. Vitamins D, B2, B3, B6, B7 are usually associated with a flaky scalp. A deficiency of these vitamins can directly impact the immune system and increase the risk of inflammation.Autoimmune diseases that have been linked with scalp itch are dermatomyositis, systemic lupus erythematosus, scleroderma and Sjögren syndrome. Itch may or may not be associated with skin lesions. If present on dermoscopy, erythema and enlarged interfollicular vessels may aid the diagnosis.Dandruff or Dry Scalp Although these skin conditions are usually on the scalp, seborrheic dermatitis can also occur on the face, chest, armpits, and groin. The cause for such issues links back to vitamin deficiencies in vitamins B3 (niacin), B2 (riboflavin), and B6 (pyridoxine).Thyroid disorders can directly impact the health of the scalp, leading to symptoms such as itching, dryness, and inflammation. Changes in thyroid hormone levels can alter the skin’s natural moisture balance, leading to dry, flaky skin and increased sensitivity to environmental irritants.
What vitamin deficiency causes dry scalp?
Dandruff or Dry Scalp Although these skin conditions are usually on the scalp, seborrheic dermatitis can also occur on the face, chest, armpits, and groin. The cause for such issues links back to vitamin deficiencies in vitamins B3 (niacin), B2 (riboflavin), and B6 (pyridoxine). The acupuncturist In Chinese medicine, the most common cause of dandruff is ‘liver blood deficiency’. Blood, amongst other things, moistens the body, so ‘blood deficiency’ doesn’t mean you are anaemic but that your blood isn’t moistening your scalp sufficiently (the blood deficiency also causes psoriasis).