By Most of us have experienced itchy scalp or scalp problems of one kind or another at some point in our lives? Dandruff or dry scalp, fungus or maybe even psoriasis? Whatever the problem, we can probably easily agree that an irritated scalp can lead to a lot of worry, but luckily, treatment doesn’t have to be that complicated.
Do you often scratch your head? Having an itchy scalp is nothing to joke about! Fortunately, there is a lot you can do to treat a dry scalp.
Read on to find out the causes of a dry itchy scalp, as well as the best scalp treatments we’ve picked. In addition, we will tell you if your itchy scalp is caused by dandruff or dry scalp.
What is an itchy scalp?
Your scalp is skin, so it can get itchy just like the rest of your skin! Many of the factors that can cause itchiness on your body can contribute to a dry, itchy scalp: seasonal changes, diet, allergies, etc. However, the scalp can have some other special causes that are not limited to the scalp area (more on those later).
What are the symptoms of a dry, itchy scalp?
The biggest symptom of a dry scalp is itching! If you find yourself scratching your scalp often, it could be. Some people with itchy scalps have even been said to scratch their scalps in their sleep! Another common symptom of dry scalp is flakes falling off, which is why this condition is often confused with dandruff .
Why do I have a dry, itchy scalp?
An itchy scalp occurs when your natural moisture balance is disturbed. An itchy scalp can have many causes, including:
- With age, the skin produces fewer natural oils and becomes drier.
- Hormonal changes . Similarly, hormonal changes ( such as menopause ) can make the skin drier and more prone to itching.
- Stress causes inflammation, which can lead to an itchy scalp. Stress can also trigger itchy receptors, even if there is nothing wrong with your skin! To reduce stress, try meditation, yoga and journaling.
- If both or one of your parents has dry skin, you are more likely to develop dry skin as well.
- Temperature changes or seasonal changes. This is the most common cause of dry scalp in winter. Shifting between large temperature differences (such as cold air outside and warm air indoors) can dry out your skin. Therefore, make sure you can have a shampoo for dry scalp close at hand.
- Poor diet. If you don’t eat the right mix of nutrients, itchy scalp can result.
- Smoking causes inflammation and dries out the skin, which can lead to a dry scalp.
- Air pollution. Air pollution also causes inflammation and leaves your scalp dry and itchy. If you live in an area with a lot of air pollution, it is especially important to have a shampoo for dry scalp.
- Allergies and irritation. Your itching may be caused by an allergy to something you eat or an ingredient in your hair products. Some common ingredients in hair products are irritating to the skin and can cause an itchy scalp .
When should you worry about an itchy scalp?
So how do you know if you just have a dry scalp, or if your itchy scalp is a sign of something more serious?
If your scalp itches so much that you get sores after scratching, it’s time to make an appointment with your doctor.
Other signs that you should see a doctor include if you see dry, flaky patches. These are signs that you have an underlying problem such as dandruff, eczema or psoriasis.
Dandruff or Dry Scalp: What’s the Difference?
We’re going to go a little more into dandruff, which is often confused with having a dry scalp. How can one determine if one’s itchy scalp is caused by dandruff or dry scalp ?
Difference #1: Dry scalp is caused by a lack of sebum from the scalp, while dandruff is caused by too much sebum. This type of dandruff is caused by seborrheic eczema. Other signs of seborrheic eczema are oily, red, flaky skin.
Difference #2: Dandruff is often triggered by a fungal infection, while dry scalp is triggered more by environmental or lifestyle factors.
Difference #3: Dandruff flakes are larger than flakes from dry scalp. Additionally, dandruff flakes are often greasy and yellow in appearance, while flakes from dry scalp are usually dry and white.
If you suspect that you are suffering from dandruff, it is often possible to treat at home with a product developed for this problem. The two products below are really good for dandruff and irritated scalp in general.
Treatments for dry scalp: Ingredients to look for
The best treatment may be a dry scalp shampoo or one or more of these scalp-loving ingredients:
Aloe Vera
Aloe vera extract is proven to reduce skin inflammation thanks to its soothing enzymes, carbohydrates and plant sterols.
Theobroma Cocoa Seed Butter
Theobroma cocoa seed butter, also known as cocoa butter is yet another one of the best treatments for dry scalp. Cocoa butter is rich in fatty acids that provide a dry scalp with moisture. In addition, cocoa butter creates a protective barrier that preserves moisture to prevent scalp itching from reoccurring.
OLEA EUROPA-EA FRUIT OIL (Olive Oil)
Like cocoa butter, olive oil also has powerful moisturizing effects. Olive oil is naturally rich in vitamins A and E as well as hydroxytyrosol, which all relieve inflammation.
Colloidal oatmeal
If you’ve ever had chicken pox, you’re probably already familiar with the skin-soothing properties of colloidal oats. Just as colloidal oats relieve itching from chicken pox, it also relieves scalp itching.
Acai extract
Thanks to its rich content of antioxidants, plant sterols, vitamins, minerals and fatty acids, acai is considered a super food. When applied to itchy scalp, acai extract provides healing and repair. Acai extract also helps protect itchy scalp against further irritation.
Blueberry extract
Blueberry extract has strong anti-inflammatory and moisturizing properties, which is why it is another one of the best treatments for dry scalp.
