Does anyone have a cure for a dry and itchy scalp?

Question

I have used a tar shampoo and I smell like a labrador! Do you know of anything more pleasant. I think it could be psoriasis of the scalp.

Answer 1

The skin of the scalp (and also of the whole body) is constantly renews itself by shedding the outer layer of skin cells. Most of the time this shedding is unnoticeable. But when this shedding becomes noticeable on the scalp, it is called dandruff.
Mild dandruff occurs not due to dryness of the scalp but usually is a result of too much oiliness of the skin. If you have large size flakes together with symptoms around your nose, eyebrows, ears, around your navel or genitals, it may be due to seborrheic dermatitis or seborrhea. Severe dandruff may be the result of psoriasis of the scalp. Seborrheic dermatitis may be caused by an increased number of a yeast-like organism (pityrosporum ovale) found on healthy scalp in low numbers. Dandruff can occur to anybody at any age. It should not be left untreated.

Zinc and essential fatty acids (pumpkin seeds, nuts, vegetable oils) prevent dandruff.

How to overcome Dandruff :

For good hair without dandruff, drink at least 2 liter water, eat lots of salads, green vegetables, and fresh fruits. Combs must be washed as frequently and hair should be brushed regularly. Dandruff is a scalp condition that can be controlled. Too little oil or too much oil can result in dandruff. Try the following:

Mix 2 teaspoons pure vinegar in 6 teaspoons water and apply it on the scalp before going to bed. Tie a towel around the head. Wash your head next morning. After shampooing, rinse again with vinegar water. Treat your hair like this once a week for at least three months.

Mix 1 teaspoons lemon juice with 2 teaspoons vinegar and massage on the scalp. Wash your hair with an egg shampoo.
Take 1 part almond oil, 1 part pure sulphur powder, 2 parts 'surgical spirit' and 4 parts distilled water or rose water and mix well. Rub on the scalp.

Take 2 cup water, add 4-5 tablespoons dried thyme and boil for 10 minutes. Cool, strain, and use the mixture to massage scalp. Keep for half an hour.

Dissolve 2 aspirins in any dandruff shampoo and wash your hair.

Massage the scalp with almond oil. Dip a towel in boiling water and wrap it around the hair. Repeat it thrice or four times when the towel gets cold.

Make a shampoo by mixing 100 g each of amla (Indian goose berry), reetha, and shikakai, and boil in two litre of water until the liquid reduces to half. Use this shampoo for one month. Dandruff will vanish and your hair will become thick.

Grind fenugreek (methi) seeds soaked in water overnight. Massage this paste on scalp and hair and leave it for 15-20 minutes. Wash it off with a mild shampoo.

Wash your hair with warm apple cider vinegar. Then cover your head with a towel or a shower cap and leave for about 30-40 minutes. Rinse with plain water. Repeat 2 times a week until your dandruff goes away.

Mix 100 g witch hazel and 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice in 200 ml water. Shampoo your hair and apply with cotton to the scalp when the hair are still wet. Repeat several times until the dandruff is treated.

Try a shampoo with selenium sulfide or salicylic acid.

Try Zest soap once a week. It may work for oily hair. It leaves your hair dry, so use conditioner to your hair only but try not to get it on your scalp. It has worked to get rid of dandruff for some people.

Answer 2

There are a couple of things: if you have dandruff Head and Shoulder is good. If your scalp is just dry (there is a difference) then there is a shampoo out there by Aveeda called Scalp Benefits that works wonderfully.
Dandruff is a chronic scalp condition characterized by excessive flaking and is also associated with itching and redness.

In a healthy scalp, new skin cells are continually formed at the lowest level of the skin and move toward the outer surface where they become flat and are invisibly shed. The movement of these cells to the outer layer usually takes about 28 days. With dandruff, however, the movement is accelerated to 7-21 days. As a result, rather than being shed as separate, microscopic cells, they are shed as large clumps of hundreds or even thousands of cells, commonly known as "flakes."

Dry scalp is simply a lack of either moisture or natural oils on the scalp. This may indeed lead to small, dry flakes, as well as itchiness or tightness of the scalp. Dandruff, on the other hand, is believed to be caused by a microscopic organism on the scalp called Malassezia. Dandruff flakes are medium-to-large in size and are usually white and look oily.

Many scientists believe a naturally occurring fungus residing on everyone's scalp known as Malassezia causes dandruff. It can be fought with Head & Shoulders, but it is nearly impossible to completely eradicate from the scalp. However, regular use of Head & Shoulders can help keep Malassezia under control. With regular use of Head & Shoulders, all you see is dandruff-free, great-looking hair.
Although you can safely use Head & Shoulders every day without damaging your hair, it is not necessary to use it every day to fight dandruff. Simply use it at least twice a week or as directed by a doctor.

Psoriasis is a chronic skin condition which often affects the scalp more than other body areas. It varies in intensity from mild to severe. In scalp psoriasis, areas of the skin grow much faster than normal and form red, scaling patches. Psoriasis is a problem only because it itches and can be unsightly. It is not contagious. Although it is not dangerous, scalp psoriasis can be persistent and difficult to treat.

Answer 3

Your scalp is trying to tell you that it's dry and/or it doesn't like what you're putting on your hair. Sometimes even hard water deposits are the problem. Putting oil on an "already dry" scalp may just exacerbate the problem, so do it when the scalp is still a bit damp. You may also have a candida (yeast) issue on your scalp (quite common actually), and a little Monistat or Dakatrin will clear that right up. Tea tree oil has antifungal properties that will also clear a thrush flare-up, as will apple cider vinegar (shake the bottle first).

Answer 4

Once a week massage a good dollop of olive oil into your scalp (with hair dry). Make sure its well spread around and then put a plastic bag around it and wrap it in a towl. Leave for as long as you can (min an hour). When you wash it out, rub shampoo on the hair bEFORE you wet it. That way the oil comes out better. It will need a couple of washes, but your scalp will feel so much better after and you hair will be very soft.

Answer 5

I know exactly what you mean it stinks.

I also have an itchy scalp but not since I discovered Sunsilk shampoo for Itchy scalps. It really really works. I can always get it in Superdrug. I did stop using it for a couple of weeks and the itching came back but once I started back on it the itching went away.

It smells like ordinary shampoo.

Answer 6

well first you could try rubbing some olive oil on your scalp at night , this will soften the skin , then like David said, Head & Shoulders, there is many to choose from , for oily hair, dry hair daily wash , look on the bottle before you buy it ,or ask one of the shop assitants to help you. Just one think make sure you put an old pillow case if you do try with olive oil, other wise someone will be very upset if you mess up a nice pillow case cover

Answer 7

Try Baby Oil. I used that on my daughter's Cradle Cap (dry, itchy, rough, scalp) and it took it away in a couple of weeks. Put it on your scalp and let it sit over night and then wash your hair in the morning. It actually smells pretty good.

Answer 8

Smother your head in olive oil and leave it on all night - I suggests putting a towel on your pillow! This should help to soften your skin & it's good for your hair too.

Are you sure the itchy is just from dry skin? Head lice can be a real itchy problem. My kids school is having major problem with them at the moment - little bu**ers.

Answer 9

Many years ago I had a similar thing. The local pharmacist recommended heating a bottle of olive oil in hot water then rubbing it into the scalp. Put a hot towel around your head and let it soak in.
Did the trick for me, never had it since.

Answer 10

Try using Paul Mitchell Tea tree oil shampoo. If you don't want to spend the money on Paul Mitchell you can get tee tree oil shampoo in a health store.