Unbearably Itchy Scalp

Lunar · 02-10-2012, 11:17 PM

I've had an itchy scalp that flakes and scabs for about a year now...It's miserable. I'm not sure if it's due to product buildup or what, but it's to the point where I can wash my hair and the next day I'm itching and flaking. I've used Head and Shoulders and started trying tea tree oil shampoo, but neither has worked. I have thought that the fact that I use hairspray may be contributing, but I can't be sure. I just want this to go away, or at least be alleviated. It looks terrible when flakes are falling out of my hair, and I hate wearing black because then you can see them. It's embarrassing. Do you have any tips or suggestions on how to help it?

naturalnewbie · 02-11-2012, 12:51 AM

I have dermatitis so what I have done may not work for you. If you have insurance then go to a dermatologist because there is a hair oil that they often give for cradle crap in babies that really helps. The biggest change I had to make was not washing every day. My scalp simply does better with less hard water. I live in an area where the water is very hard(old paper mill town with chemical plants).

If you can't get to a dermatologist and I could not at the time. I wash my hair using Avlon's dry and itchy shampoo. I follow that with the condish and then I use my my moisturizing condish. That dry and itchy combo helps my scalp but will dry the heck out of my hair. I tried other scalp shampoos but they didn't work for me so I had to shell out the big bucks. Before I put in my leave in condish I use tea tree oil all over my scalp. Be careful because the pure oil does have a smell but I usually wash my hair at night so by morning it's less noticeable. On day 2 or 3 depending on scalp condition I then put old fashioned sulfur 8 grease on the scalp. For some reason out of everything on earth it works for me. By day 5, I either wash my hair or wait until day 7. I took months of me doing this to see results but now I can wear black again.

Quirky · 02-11-2012, 01:49 PM

I don't think product build-up is causing your scalp to itch -- my (non-medical) guess is that you probably have something like psoriasis or seborrheic dermatitis. If you can though you should see a dermatologist since I'm sure there are many things it could be!

My mom has psioriasis and I have seborrheic dermatitis. I've tried the tar shampoos and the salicylic acid ones as well. You might try a tar shampoo or a salicylic acid shampoo like Neutrogena's and see what happens -- it works for both conditions but the tar is stronger. It's horribly hard on your hair and smells awful, but the pain relief of an itchy scalp makes it worth it if you're really suffering.

My scalp only gets really painful and itchy if I don't wash at least once a week with a special shampoo. I don't use the tar shampoo myself since my scalp isn't too bad. I alternate between Max Green Alchemy's Scalp Rescue and Jason Naturals Dandruff Relief, both of which are less harsh than the tar shampoo and don't fry my hair.

cora · 02-11-2012, 08:26 PM

When she is back up and running, try Qhemet Biologics' Tea Tree and Grapeseed Therapeutic Pomade. It has done wonders for my itchy scalp.

adthomas · 02-12-2012, 11:45 AM

Maybe u should try a clay mask. It gets out all impurities.

dfeinst · 02-15-2012, 06:14 AM

I second Jason Naturals Dandruff Relief! Nothing worked for me and this product has given me relief!

sewt15 · 02-16-2012, 04:05 PM

peppermint oil

Reeky · 02-17-2012, 12:04 AM

are you using sulfate shampoos? I used to get itchies and flakes and they stopped when I switched to sulfate free.. simple as that smh. I know it was sulfates because more recently when I used sulfate poos to remove silicones & saw flakes after, crazy. That and herbal shampoos make the biggest difference..
I recommend trader joes tea tree tingle (if you havent tried it already) or the shea moisture thickening shampoo & I havent tried it but people swear by the diety usa plant shampoo.
Oiling the scalp after your shampoo helps too.. to moisturize the skin, in case the flakes and itching is your scalp reacting to being "stripped".
that is IF you dont have psoriasis or dermatitis!