Experiencing a dry, itchy scalp can be bothersome, especially when wearing a protective hairstyle. The itching sensation, constant patting of the head, and white flakes that surface can be irritating.
If you have experienced any of these, you may have tried various hair treatments to get rid of the dryness and itching without success.
Before trying out more hair treatments, consider these 5 natural remedies to treat a dry, itchy scalp. You will also learn about the causes of dryness and itching and what you can do to avoid them.
What Is A Dry, Itchy Scalp?
As the name implies, a dry, itchy scalp lacks moisture and causes discomfort that leads to flaking and constant scratching. Scratching your scalp can cause tiny open wounds or even swelling, dandruff, and soreness.
What Causes Dry, Itchy Scalp?
Several factors contribute to dryness and itching of your scalp. These include:
1. Over-washing
You may want to regularly get rid of all the dirt clogged up in your hair, but when you lather shampoo over your hair 3-4 times in one wash, you tend to strip your scalp of its natural oil.
Your hair naturally produces its own oil which helps keep the scalp moisturized. When you over-wash your hair, your scalp loses this natural oil and then becomes dry, which may result in itching.
2. Using sulfate shampoos
Sulfates are chemicals that are used as cleaning agents in most shampoos. They include sodium lauryl sulfate sodium, sodium lauroyl taurate, laureth sulfate sodium, among others.
These chemicals tend to strip your scalp of its natural oil, causing dryness. To keep your scalp and hair moisturized, it is recommended to use sulfate-free shampoos.
3. Not Oiling Your Scalp
When caring for natural hair, most people tend to focus only on their hair and neglect their scalp. The scalp has oil glands that produce a natural oil called sebum, which moisturizes your scalp and hair strands and keeps them healthy.
When this natural oil is stripped from your scalp, it becomes dry and itchy. To prevent this, you need to frequently moisturize your scalp with hair oils.
4. Dandruff
Dandruff is one of the major causes of dryness and itching on the scalp. Similarly, a dry scalp can also cause dandruff.
Symptoms of dandruff include redness, itching, and flakes on areas of skin where there are lots of oil-producing glands, like around your nose and scalp.
Now that we have identified some causes of a dry, itchy scalp, the next step is to find remedies for getting rid of it. However, before you use any of these remedies, make sure that the dryness and itching on your scalp is not due to a medical condition.
5 Natural Remedies to Help Get Rid of Dryness and Itching in Your Scalp
1. Oil Your Scalp
After washing and drying your hair, apply a light oil to your scalp. Massage your scalp to increase blood flow in that area. Be careful not to use too much oil, as it may clog your scalp's pores.
It's also important to test which oils work best for your scalp. Some oils, like olive oil and peppermint oil, may cause dandruff.
Consulting with a natural hair expert can help you determine which oils are suitable for your scalp.
2. Use Vitamin E
Vitamin E can keep your scalp moisturized, reducing dryness and itching. Some people's scalps may produce natural oils in small quantities, and a poor diet can contribute to low production of this natural oil.
Fresh fruits like blackberries, avocados, and mangos are great sources of vitamin E. You can also buy some vitamin E oil and massage it into your scalp.
3. Avoid Shampoos With Sulfate
Sulfates can strip your hair of its natural oil, leading to dryness and itching. Before buying any shampoo, check the ingredient label for sulfates.
Alternatively, you can use clarifying shampoos instead, which allow your hair to retain its natural oil and stay moisturized.
Clarifying shampoos may not get rid of all the dirt on your scalp, so you can use a sulfate shampoo once a month. Remember to always oil your scalp after washing.
4. Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is rich in antifungal, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties that can help get rid of the bacteria or fungi that cause dryness and itching on your scalp.
Mix apple cider vinegar with water, massage it onto your scalp after washing your hair, let it sit for five minutes, and then rinse it off.
5. Aloe Vera
Aloe vera has anti-inflammatory properties that provide relief to dry skin. Aloe vera can also help restore moisture to your scalp and reduce irritation.
You can use aloe vera and other natural ingredients to create a hair mask to help get rid of dryness and itching on your scalp.
Some natural ingredients you can use with aloe vera include honey, apple cider vinegar, coconut oil, and Greek yogurt.
With these remedies, your journey to treating a dry, itchy scalp can become much easier. It is important to consistently follow through with these remedies to see results.
However, if you continue to experience the same problem, it's best to see your natural hair consultant in order to get a proper diagnosis.