A dry, itchy scalp can be a bothersome thing to experience especially when you are wearing a protective hairstyle. The Itching on your scalp, the constant patting of your head, and the white flakes that surface on your head can be an irritating affair for anyone. And if you have experienced any of these, you may have tried different hair treatments to get rid of the dryness and itching but it might not have worked for you.
However, before you get caught up in trying out more hair treatments, I will be sharing 5 natural remedies you can cause to treat a dry, itchy scalp. You will also learn what causes dryness and itching and what you can do to avoid this.
What Is A Dry, Itchy Scalp?
As the name implies, a dry, itchy scalp lacks moisture and causes discomfort that leads to flaking and the constant scratching of the scalp. This can be horrible as scratching your scalp often can lead to you leaving tiny open wounds there or even cause swelling, dandruff, and soreness.
What Causes Dry, Itchy Scalp?
There are several factors that contribute to dryness and itching in your scalp, they include:
1. Over-washing
I understand that you may want to regularly get rid of all the dirt clogged up in your hair. However, when you lather shampoo over your hair 3-4 times in one wash, you tend to strip your scalp of its natural oil. Our hair naturally produces its own oil which helps keep the scalp moisturized. So, 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. Usually, these chemicals are present in most shampoos. They include sodium lauryl sulfate sodium, sodium lauroyl taurate, laureth sulfate sodium, among others. Because these are chemicals, they tend to strip your scalp of its natural oil, thus, 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 naturals 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 of the causes of a dry, itchy scalp, the next thing is remedies for getting rid of it. However, before you use any of these remedies to make sure the dryness and itching on your scalp is not due to a medical condition.
5 Natural Remedies To Help You Get Rid of Dryness and Itching In Your Scalp
1. Oil Your Scalp
Picture Credit: Pixabay
After washing and drying your hair, the next thing you should do is oil your scalp. I even recommend that you do this before moisturizing your hair roots and shaft. Using a light oil, you can massage your scalp to increase blood flow in that area. Now, I don't recommend you go heavy-handed when oiling so as not to clog up the pores on your scalp. Remember, a little goes all the way. Also, I must mention that you do a test to see which oils are good for your scalp. This is because some oils like olive oil and peppermint oil have been reported to cause dandruff. So, it's best to do a test with a natural hair consultant to find out which oils are suitable for your scalp.
2. Use Vitamin E
Vitamin E is one great way to keep your scalp moisturized, thus, eliminating dryness and itching. While I mentioned earlier that our scalp produces natural oils, some people's scalps may produce these oils in small quantities. Poor diet also contributes to the low production of this natural oil. So, to ensure that your scalp keeps producing its natural oil, you need vitamin E. You can get this in fresh fruits like blackberries, avocados, and mangos. You can also buy some vitamin E oil and massage it into your scalp.
3. Avoid Shampoos With Sulfate
Sulfates are chemicals that tend to strip your hair of its natural oil, which can then cause dryness and itching. Before you buy any shampoo, make sure that you check the ingredient label for the chemicals contained in them or you can get clarifying shampoos instead which allow your hair to retain its natural oil and stay moisturized. Now, I must mention that while clarifying shampoos are great for your hair, because of their gentle nature, they may not get rid of all the dirt on your scalp. So, what do you do? You can wash your hair with a clarifying shampoo three times each month and use a sulfate shampoo once every 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 you get rid of the bacteria or fungi that cause dryness and itching on your scalp. How do you use this? Simply mix the 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
Picture Credit: Pixabay
Aloe vera is often credited with providing healing and relief to dry skin due to its anti-inflammatory properties. Aloe vera also helps to restore moisture to your scalp and reduce any irritation. You can use aloe vera and other natural ingredients of your choice as a hair mask to help you get rid of dryness and itching on your scalp. Some natural ingredients you can use together with aloe vera include:
- Aloe vera and honey
- Aloe vera and apple cider vinegar
- Coconut oil and aloe vera
- Greek yogurt and aloe vera
Conclusion
With these remedies, your journey to treating dry, itchy scalp can become a lot easier. You need to make sure that you religiously 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.