There’s nothing as irritating as an itchy scalp. It can get so severe as to drive one crazy. With simple changes to how you care for the scalp, itchiness can be a thing of the past.
Dandruff
The scalp is skin just like the one on the rest of the body. When our skin is dry it feels pinchy/ prickly. This is just the body’s way of alerting you that the skin needs moisture. The same goes for your scalp. When it is dry, it produces excess sebum to try and keep itself soft. The excess sebum causes skin cells to clump together forming flakes (dandruff).
To mitigate itchiness keep the scalp moisturized regularly. Apart from your hair wash day, spray the scalp with water during the week. After washing your hair, oil the scalp with an appropriate oil like Black castor oil to seal in the moisture.
Dandruff is also caused by an overgrowth of yeast which is naturally found on the scalp. In mild cases, using shampoo containing selenium or zinc pyrithione does the trick. If the condition is severe though, either topical cortisone, prescription-strength antifungal shampoo, medicated foam, solution, cream or ointment are required.
Allergies
If your scalp itches after using certain hair products but not others, you may have an allergic reaction. Try to identify the culprits through elimination. If this proves challenging then see a dermatologist.
Ringworm
This is a fungal infection that affects the scalp, going deep into the hair follicles and causing itchiness and hair loss. Consult your doctor for prescription of the relevant oral antifungal medicine. Topical creams don’t work since the infection is inside the follicles.
Psoriasis
This is an autoimmune disease that causes itchy, red, scaly patches on the scalp. It isn’t curable but can be managed. Use over-the-counter medicated shampoos containing coal tar or salicylic acid to alleviate the itching. If these don’t work, consult a dermatologist for prescriptions of stronger shampoos and topical cortisone.
Lice
These are eliminated by using shampoos containing pyrethrin or permethrin. Follow the instructions on the package or else the lice will remain.
