Itchy Flaky Scalp: Causes & Effective Home Remedies

Itchy and flaky scalp can lead to irritation and many other problems. Here are a few home remedies to alleviate the problems of itchy scalp.

By Tanaya Nath
Itchy Flaky Scalp: Causes & Effective Home Remedies

Itchy Flaky Scalp: Causes & Effective Home Remedies

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Itchy scalp is also known as scalp pruritus, and it is a common condition. It can be caused due to many reasons. Seborrheic dermatitis, i.e., dandruff and inflammatory skin condition are the most common causes of itchy scalp. It can be the result of stress, fluctuating hormones, seasonal changes or an overgrowth of yeast on the skin. An itchy flaky scalp can also be caused by the scalp being too dry, oily hair and a variety of other conditions. Some of the other causes of itchy scalp include autoimmune disorders like psoriasis, fungal infection, allergic reactions, eczema, atopic dermatitis, head lice, stress, anxiety, diabetes or shingles. Here are some home remedies that will be effective in treating itchy flaky scalp.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Scalp Exfoliation with Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) (one of my favs) ⠀ .⠀ Today’s #Beamingredients #springflingchallenge is a spotlight on ACV. I thought I would share how my kitchen staple is also my bathroom staple, Apple Cider Vinegar. It just works really well in keeping my scalp itch free and giving my hair this great shine. ⠀ .⠀ Benefits of ACV:⠀ – Antibacterial, antifungal, antiseptic properties which prevent infections caused by bacteria and fungus.⠀ – Malic acid kills the yeast that may cause itchy scalps, Acetic acid in vinegar removes buildup from products and AHA’s help to exfoliate the scalp⠀ – It balances pH levels of the scalp (alkaline PH 2.8-3.2) helps with my scalp itchiness and dryness. ⠀ - Since it’s anti-inflammatory, it also helps soothe irritated scalps ⠀ - Loaded with nutrients Vitamin B, C, potassium for a healthy scalp (although I don’t really use ACV for this). ⠀ .⠀ How do I like to use it?⠀ 2-5 tbsp of ACV to 1 cup of water and/or:⠀ 1️⃣ Dab a little on to cotton squares and press it into the scalp.⠀ 2️⃣ Wash after 1 hour or leave overnight and wash in the morning⠀ 3️⃣ Or just use it as a quick rinse for the scalp and hair (as this gives the hair a nice shine too).⠀ .⠀ Ooh just a note: It is a little stinky so you may need to rinse your hair a few times afterwards.⠀ .⠀ Has anyone else used ACV on their hair or scalp?⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ #skincarejunkie #iloveskincare #instaskincare #skincareroutine #igdaily #bloggerswanted #skincare #skincareobsessed #vanities #beautyroutine #hairroutine #hair #skincarecommunity #skincareregime #scalptreatment #applecidervinegar #malicacid #discoverunder50k #discoverunder100k #organic #organicskincare #greenbeauty #greenskincare #natural #naturalbeauty

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Apple cider vinegar has anti-inflammatory, antifungal characteristics, and antibacterial properties that help in reducing the itching caused by dry skin. Dilute the apple cider vinegar in warm water and use it for rinsing after shampoo for alleviating dandruff and itchy scalp. You can also use a medicated shampoo.

Organic Coconut Oil

Naturally extracted coconut oil from mature coconuts has lauric acid which is a saturated fat that contains antimicrobial properties. The skin naturally absorbs coconut oil efficiently due to the presence of lauric acid, and this makes it a soothing treatment for itchy scalp and even psoriasis. Organic coconut oil is also helpful if it is can is caused due to eczema and is also good in combating head lice. Mixing it with anise will help you in treating itchy and flaky scalp much better than permethrin which is a medicine used for treating lice.

Peppermint Oil

Dilute peppermint oil with another oil light olive oil before messaging get into your itchy scalp before shampooing. It will calm down the itchiness and soothe your scalp. You can also use peppermint tea for rinsing after the shampoo.

Meditation Heals An Itchy And Flaky Scalp

An itchy flaky scalp is also caused due to stress and anxiety hence it should not come as a surprise that relaxing activities like meditation may be effective in eliminating itchy scalp. Meditation might also help in itching caused due to eczema. A study suggests that the effects of meditation on Eczema can improve the perception of itching by providing a coping mechanism and sense of control. You can use meditation in combination with the other remedies like medicated shampoo or even alone. If you are not aware of how to meditate effectively, take a class or listen to a meditation tape.

Tea Tree Oil

Olio Essenziale Tea Tree 🍃 Ideale per purificare e disinfettare l’aria di casa 🍃 Utile in caso di onicomicosi e pelle acneica, oltre che per allontanare zanzare e pidocchi 🍃 Come si usa? Sulla pelle si utilizza sempre diluito (al 2%) in un buon olio vegetale (olio di mandorle dolci, olio d’oliva,ecc) 🍃 ottimo anche per fare suffumigi (inalazioni di vapore) 3-4 gocce in un pentolino d’acqua bollente 🍃 nel diffusore per l’ambiente 10-15 gocce 🍃 Dove si trova? Si può acquistare nella nostra ERBORISTERIA ONLINE su: www.erbecedario.it oppure CHIAMACI al 045 4645900 per ricevere i prodotti direttamente a casa 🏠🚛📦🍃😍 solo per questa settimana -20% 10,39€ anziché 12,99€!! APPROFITTANE #erbecedario #erboristeria #erboristeriaonline #teatreeoil #olioessenziale #teatree #rimedinaturali #prodottinaturali #starbene #salutenaturale #benesserenaturale #naturale #natura #naturelovers

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Tea tree oil has antiseptic, antifungal and antimicrobial properties along with anti-inflammatory effects. Tea tree oil can affect your skin so you should use it sparingly or dilute it with other oil before using. To be the most effective, add ten to twenty drops of tea tree oil to a gentle shampoo or olive oil and massage directly to your scalp. It is helpful introducing on eliminating itching that is associated with seborrheic dermatitis, psoriasis, head lice, and dandruff. Never ingest tea tree oil.

Baking Soda

🚨 R E C I P E A L E R T 🍃 D I S W A S H I N G • T A B L E T S • Make your own! It's so easy. • Go & grab that box that's stored out in the garage. You know, the one that contains fifteen different ice cube trays. It's the box that's sitting amongst all the other boxes of stuff that you never use such as that monster bulk pack of paper plates & assorted plastic platters. I get it. It's the fear of having an enormous impromptu cocktail party that holds you hostage to those little treasures, doesn't it? Me too. Now go get the box & follow along below. I N G R E D I E N T S : • 1 Cup Baking Soda • 1 Cup Washing Soda • 1/4 Cup Salt • 1/4 Cup Citric Acid • 1/4 Cup vinegar • 10 drops Sweet Orange Essential Oil. D I R E C T I O N S : • ~Stir all the dry ingredients together in a bowl. Mix well. ~Add the vinegar & essential oil to the bowl slowly & stir until it stops bubbling. ~Add the mix to those previously useless ice cube trays & pack it in tight. ~Leave overnight to dry & keep in an airtight container. • T O U S E: Add 1 tablet to the wash. • B O N U S H O T T I P: 🔥 Use vinegar in your rinse aid dispenser with 10 drops of lemon essential oil. The tablets work better with this addition PLUS you're cutting out another toxin loaded product. Look at you go! 🕺🏼

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Make a paste with two to three tablespoons of baking soda and water and apply it on the scalp before washing it off after ten to fifteen minutes. If required repeat this treatment after few days. Baking soda works because it has antifungal and antibacterial properties. It kills the harmful microbes that cause the infection and itchiness on the scalp and hair follicles. Also, it neutralizes the pH of the scalp and soothes the skin.

Virgin Olive Oil

• L'action anti-âge de l'huile d'olive vierge extra • Les vertus de l'huile d'olive ne sont plus à démontrer et sont universellement reconnues, compte d'ailleurs y consacrer un post entier à l'avenir. Néanmoins aujourd'hui nous allons nous intéresser à ces bienfaits anti-âge. • ▫️Préserve les fonctions cérébrales L'huile d'olive vierge extra contient des polyphenols capables d'inverser les déficits cérébraux notamment de mémoire et d'apprentissage liés à l'âge. Cet huile s'attaquerait même aux protéines toxiques responsables de la maladie d'Alzeimer. • ▫️Protège la peau des signes de l'âge Tout comme l'avocat cité dans mon dernier post, l'huile d'olive vierge extra est composé de graisses insaturées qui sont bénéfiques pour notre peau en stimulant son élasticité. Ses propriétés anti-inflammatoires lui permettent aussi de protéger la peau des dommages du soleil. Il a notamment été observé, lors d'une étude, qu'une consommation élevée d'acides gras mono-insaturés extraits d'huile d'olive va de paire avec une diminution du risque de vieillissement sévère de la peau lié au soleil. • Attention, tout comme pour l'avocat ceci ne doit pas se substituer à une crème solaire, car le soleil est une des principales causes du viellissement cutané. #oliveoil #virginoliveoil #extravirginoliveoil #olive #olives #love #vegan #manger #healthy #sain #vegetarien #vegetal #healthyfood #plantbased #naturopathie #nutriteraphie #naturel

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Warm the virgin olive oil a little and massage get into your scalp and hair. Let it stay overnight and then rinse your hair in the morning as usual. You should do this twice a week for healthy hair and scalp. Olive oil contains two major components that are oleocanthal and oleuropein. Both of them have anti-inflammatory and skin protectant properties that heal the inflammation on the scalp and relieves the itchiness.

Lemon Juice

Take two to three tablespoons of fresh lemon juice and a cotton ball. Apply the to solve by yourself using the cotton ball and leave it for five to ten minutes then rinse that with water. Don't repeat this more than two times a week. Lemon juice has natural antimicrobial properties due to its acidity and phytochemicals. The phytochemicals and lemon juice also have an anti-inflammatory effect that soothes the itchiness when the lemon juice is applied on the scalp. However, be careful because excessive use of lemon juice lightens your hair color.

Witch Hazel Oil

For this will need one part witch hazel oil diluted with two parts water. Mix them both and apply it on your scalp with fingers massaging it for a minute or two. Let the oil set for ten minutes before rinsing. You can use which this oil mixture every three to four days. Since witch hazel oil acts as an astringent and has antibacterial characteristics, it reduces the inflammation in the scalp and treats the infection along with psoriasis.

Aloe Vera

#oksunnyflower #aloe #aloevera #алоэ #алоэвера

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Remove the aloe gel from the leaves of the aloe vera and apply it directly to your scalp, and leave it for fifteen to twenty minutes then rinse it with lukewarm water. The gel of aloe vera is a natural moisturizer and because of its antimicrobial and soothing property is it is also a perfect cure for dandruff and itchy scalp.

Listerine

Mix equal amounts of Listerine and water and apply it on the scalp massage in for a minute, and leave it for five minutes before rinsing it thoroughly. You can use this twice a week. Because Listerine is an antiseptic and has antimicrobial properties, Listerine is used as mouthwash. And because of this properties, it keeps the oral area germ free that's why it can also be used for relieving scalp from itchiness and dandruff. However, if you have a cut or any open lesions on your scalp, you should not use Listerine.

Onion Juice

Peel the onion and squeeze out the juice. Now apply the juice on the scalp using a cotton bowl thoroughly, leave it on for twenty to thirty minutes, and rinse using shampoo. You can repeat this once every week. Onions have an antimicrobial quality that keeps scalp infection free. The antioxidant in the layers of the onion reduces the inflammation and keeps the scalp healthy.

Neem Oil

Neem oil has antimicrobial properties, and that's why it's extracts have been utilized for centuries. It clears the infections causing itchiness, thus effectively giving you the leave from an itchy scalp. Mix six to eight drops of neem oil into two tablespoons of coconut oil and apply this mixture on your scalp and leave it for fifteen minutes before rinsing hair with a mild medicated shampoo. For maximum effectiveness repeat this treatment two or three times a week for quick relief from an itchy scalp.

Jojoba Oil

Jojoba oil can heal and cure the scalp by removing the itchiness. It is also very easily absorbed into the skin making your hair shiny and soft. Massage the jojoba oil into your scalp, hair, and leave it on overnight. In the morning rinse with the mild medicated shampoo. You can repeat this two times a week.

Lavender And Eucalyptus Oils

Lavender essential oil is one of my favorites. I'm not alone. Lavender oil is the most used essential oil in the world today. The benefits of lavender discovered over 2,500 years ago. Because of its powerful antioxidant, antimicrobial, sedative, calming and antidepressive properties, lavender oil benefits abound and it’s been used both cosmetically and therapeutically for centuries. Today, lavender oil benefits for your body include the following: 🔹 Reduce anxiety and emotional stress 🔹 Protect against diabetes symptomsImprove brain function 🔹 Help to heal burns and woundsImprove sleep 🔹 Restore skin complexion and reduce acne 🔹 Slow aging with powerful antioxidants 🔹 Relieve painAlleviate headaches Science has only recently started to evaluate the range of health benefits that lavender essential oil contains, but there’s already an abundance of evidence that points out the amazing capabilities of this oil. . 📷 from @lavender__garden . #GardenActivist #growyourownmedicine #GrowFood #lavender #lavenderoil #essentialoils #essentailoil #alternativemedicine #naturalhealing #lavenderessentialoil #urbanfarming #essentialoilsforthewin

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Eucalyptus oil is a great natural remedy for dandruff which is often the main cause of an itchy scalp. Mix one tablespoon of lavender and eucalyptus oil in one tablespoon of coconut oil and have the mixture on the affected areas. Wash your scalp an hour after applying the mixture. You can do this once or two times a week. This oil mixture makes your hair soft and silky and is very relaxing and soothing to your scalp and hair follicles.

Chamomile Spray

Chamomile is used to treat inflammation and other hair ailments including itchy scalp since ages. Boil a handful of chamomile flowers in two cups of water. Let it simmer until the color changes. Let it cool, then filter and fill the serum into a clean spray bottle and refrigerate. Whenever you feel an itch on your scalp spray it for instant relief. Use when inflammation of itchy scalp arises.

Banana And Avocado

#bananaandavocado #breakfast #seasaltontop #ilovesimplefood

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Both banana and avocado are a wonderful dandruff treatment because they are very nourishing and moisturizing, and together they sound like a smoothie for your scalp. They can reduce the flakes of inflammation and dryness of the scalp. Avocados contain antioxidants which keep the skin cells happy and healthy. On the other hand, bananas condition the scalp and hair. Mash two bananas and one avocado and apply the mixture or over your scalp especially where it's itchy. Let the mashed mixture stay for half an hour then rinse it out with cold water. Repeat regularly till the itching subsides or goes away.

Apart from these remedies, you can also use other methods for keeping your scalp free of itchy and dryness. Condition hair regularly that will increase the circulation of blood in your scalp, does keeping it healthy and free of itchiness. Don't over wash your hair as it causes the scalp to become dry and itchy. However not watching it enough can also make your scalp flaky and itchy. How much you need to wash your hair depends on your activity level so remember that you shouldn't let the grease and dirt build up in your scalp. Avoid foods that contain yeast because many times the persistent itching in yourself is the result of the long-term inflammation of these organisms. In this case, treating just the scalp will not help you get rid of the problem. You'll have to treat the yeast infection from inside. Another reason for your dry and itchy scalp could be your hair products since your scalp might be sensitive to specific ingredients in them like sodium lauryl sulfate and alcohol. Also always keep your home and hairbrush clean as a dirty home when goes back on your head fills your scalp with the dirt, grime, and microorganism present in it, thus giving you an itchy scalp.

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