Taya’s trouble…Dear Beauty Brains, I just read up on your article about smelly scalps and wanted to know if there are any causes or solutions to itchy scalps. My sister started developing an itchy scalp several months back and it would sometimes get so itchy she would have to shower twice a day and she would also itch her hair/head in her sleep! One time she was so desperate that she put socks on her hands to stop her from itching. The weather doesn’t seem to affect it and she doesn’t produce a lot of dandruff and her hair looks normal in every way just the itching. We have checked for lice and there are none. She also had two spots on her head before this. My conclusion maybe, that we have a faulty shower – which can get really hot – and my sister and mother are the only two who for some reason can deal with hot water. Which seems to be the most plausible explanation. At first I thought that buying her some deep-cleanse shampoo would do the trick but it didn’t really work. We don’t think it’s that much of a deal unless she actually makes her scalp bleed (which thank goodness has not happened), also worried if it might weaken her hair follicles? I told her if she keeps scratching she’ll become bald.
The Left Brain responds:
Taya’s question prompted an interesting discussion in our Forum where Lindygirl and SarahF, and Vanyel pointed out that itchy scalp can have multiple causes.
Itchy scalp: causes and cures
Frequent washing with hot water can strip oils from your skin which could be contributing to the dryness. Dandruff is another common cause of itching. And of course there could be other medical conditions like psoriasis. My first suggestion is to try an anti-dandruff shampoo like Head & Shoulders, Selsun Blue, or Nizoral. The active ingredients in these products will reduce itchiness if indeed dandruff is the cause. She should specifically avoid using deep cleansing shampoos like you described – these are likely to only make the problem worse because they are “stronger” cleansers and can strip additional oils from the scalp. Reducing shampoo frequency may also be helpful. She might benefit using a dry shampoo on the days that she skips washing. (And if that doesn’t work she can always try rubbing whipping cream in her hair, as the Curly Girl Handbook suggests…)
If these steps don’t help, she should probably check with a dermatologist to rule out other skin conditions.
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OOoo! Wish I had seen this.
As a kid not long after petting someone’s cat, my head started to itch really badly. Later I started to lose hair in a ringworm like pattern. But it wasn’t ringworm. It was some sort of microscopic mite that cats carry and can pass on to humans. (Dogs can probably carry it too but since dogs are easier to wash then cats….)
Just one of the possible causes. Sometimes you can’t see the bugs that are making you itch.
She should definitely check with a dermatologist. My general doctor told me I had dandruff in my Curly Girl maintained hair, and it turned out to be psoriasis. Always the same two spots on my scalp. She’ll probably prescribe an icky cream, but I can’t say enough good things about the exfoliating shampoo from Phyto. Miracle worker without smelling medicinal: http://www.drugstore.com/qxp49894_333181_sespider_1_1/phyto/phytosylic_exfoliating_shampoo.htm
She maybe allergic to the scent in her shampoo & conditioner. I developed a nasty allergy (dry itchy scalp) from Garnier shampoos and conditioners. I had to use a prescription cortisone liquid, etc. Finally I bought fragrance free shampoo and conditioner – and no more problems. Occasionally if my scalp is itchy – I wash with dandruff shampoo (leave it on for about 4 minutes before rinsing) once a week with no further problems. If I use Herbal Essence shampoos – the problems returns – so in my case it was the scent and drying stuff in the product.
Why in the world would someone itching this much not go to a dermatologist and get a diagnosis? (I’m assuming she can afford the appointment.)
I’m a little confused, because I thought if it was dandruff, you would want to shampoo more frequently rather than less (because the dandruff is aggravated by oil build-up). I could be mistaken, though. But maybe that underscores that getting a diagnosis is important and should maybe be the first step.
You might want to try using Sea Breeze at night before you go to bed. I used to have the same problem and a friend who is a dermatologist suggested Sea Breeze. You soak a cotton ball with Sea Breeze and dab it on your scalp.
Thank you for sharing this information. I know that there are lots of people who are experiencing dry and itchy scalp. Trying to use anti-dandruff shampoo is a great idea. I also learned that we needed at least 100 strokes of combing our hair before taking a bath. It will help us moisten our scalp and hair.
yay..itchy and scratchy!
I have to be right lol–so I checked and (but of course) I AM right. If it were truly dandruff, Mayo Clinic itself says that you should shampoo daily. And if Mayo Clinic says it, maybe you’ll listen:O They also say you should leave the medicated dandruff shampoo on for 5 minutes to allow the ingredients to work.
I had a similar problem and visited two different dermatologists, both clueless. My mom reminded me that when I was younger my eczema would often times affect my scalp, in at least one of the same three areas. She added drops of lavender oil to canola oil and applied it directly on the spot: instant itch relief and within days the area would be noticeably smaller or completely gone.
Today I add the less than 10 drops lavender oil (and sometimes a little rosemary- less than 5 drops) to about 3 or 4 oz of jojoba, sweet almond (my favorite), or grapeseed oil whichever I still have left in the house and it works fine. Smells nice, too. Just shake it up in one of those pointy tip/applicator bottles and squeeze on the affected areas.
And too much hot water and/or shampoo can contribute to dryness and itchiness, much like soap and extra hot water can leave your skin feeling dry and irritated after a shower if you don’t use any moisturizer afterwards. Hope you find relief!
Thanks Beauty brains!
We’re bought her the dandruff shampoo and she’s started to only wash with shampoo once or twice a week and the rest with just conditioner though she’s still not use to it. She still thinks using shampoo’s best but she has seen the affects and she’s scratching less often. Hopefully, after a few more weeks the itching will be gone, I really have to thank all the people who commented on my post on the forum
If it does get worse our last resort is seeing a dermatologist.
x
Sarah is right on….Giving advice to shampoo less often is just bad advice ….When you have dandruff or flaking on the scalp you need to shampoo more often and with the right type of shampoo. ..you need to remove oils from the scalp and keep the flakes from building up. If there are no flakes it could be allergy related and you should consult a doctor.
It’s not a flake problem, I think it’s just dry. Thanks everyone
According to my dermatologist, itchy scalp can happen from dryness or from too much oil. I used to have severe dryness and tried all kinds of shampoos and treatments. My dermatologist suggested a hot pepper scalp spray. It’s made with capsaicin from hot peppers. I tried it and it worked right away. And it didn’t burn. I got it online at luckyvitamin.com. It’s called Thermascalp.