Continuous itching can make you so frustrated that you will bang your head into the wall with frustration or anger. An itchy scalp does not indicate a serious medical condition. It can be accompanied by visible signs of scabbed or flaky skin.

What are the symptoms of an Itchy scalp?

Itchy scalp can make you feel stinging and painful. Scratching can give you itchy scalp relief but it can be painful if you will do it vigorously. Symptoms which you can face during itchy scalp are;

What causes itchy scalp actually?

Itching in scalp is also known as scalp pruritus. There are many causes of itchy scalp. These scalp problems can vary from dandruff to seborrheic dermatitis to serious autoimmune disorders. If you are thinking of reasons for itchy scalp, have a look at the below section;
Dandruff is the common disorder of scalp which can affect anyone. When it comes to dandruff, mostly people think of flakes or scaly scalp. These white flakes mount up in hair, shoulders and get worse when the air is dry.

Microbes behind dandruff:

Do you know that dandruff is caused by microbe Malassezia spp. Scalp have oil glands, oil sebum is produced by the hair follicles, microbial action takes place. Microbe Malassezia spp. acts on the scalp and bind to the sebum. As a result of which scalp become dry or irritated. While scratching the scalp, skin loses many cells and scalp looks flaky or scaly, ultimately shedding of these flakes occurs.

Natural remedies of itchy scalp due to dandruff

There are several ways to get rid of dandruff quickly & permanently by using natural remedies.
You can treat dandruff by using;

• Treating dandruff with curd can be a little mess but it is effective.
• Use 2-3 days old curd and massage it on your scalp gently.
• Leave it for 30 minutes and rinse with shampoo.
• Coconut oil will help to nourish your hair and lemon juice is the best itchy scalp remedy due to its acidic nature.
• Just heat coconut oil and mix it with the lemon juice and gently massage on your scalp.
• Leave it for 15-20 minutes and rinse it with shampoo

Chemical treatment to get rid of dandruff

Ketoconazole is generally recommended for dandruff. Ketoconazole inhibits the ergosterol synthesis (constitute of fungal cell).

Seborrheic Dermatitis

Seborrhoeic dermatitis is a chronic inflammatory skin condition. You will notice yellow colored scaly skin in area rich in sebaceous glands. Along with itching you can face severe inflammation also. Lack of nutrients, emotional stress, alterations in immune system can also be the reason of seborrhoeic dermatitis.
Dandruff is a form of seborrhoeic dermatitis without inflammation. When Malassezia hydrolyze the human sebum, it releases the saturated and unsaturated fatty acids which penetrate the scalp but breach the skin’s barrier forming yellow layer. This results in irritation and inflammation leading to seborrhoeic dermatitis.

Natural remedy for itchy scalp due to Seborrhoeic dermatitis

Coconut oil is best to treat seborrhoeic dermatitis. Coconut oil contains unique fatty acids i.e. Lauric Acid & Caprlylic Acid. Coconut oil helps to fight fungus. This powerful duo stops the seborrhoeic dermatitis. Massage coconut oil on to your scalp stimulating the pores. You can wrap your head too.

Chemical treatment to get rid of Seborrhoeic dermatitis

Zinc Pyrithione or ZPTO also inhibits the yeast Malassezia which causes seborrheic dermatitis. It regulates the yeast and secreted oils from scalp. You can use shampoo or lotion containing ZPTO.

Head Lice

Head lice are common. They can affect anyone. Head lice are small, grey brown insects living on scalp. Eggs of lice are known as Nits. No matter, if your hair are clean, long or short, you can have head lice. You can call them little vampires too, as they feed on little amount of blood of scalp. When lice bite, this makes your scalp itchy.

Natural remedy for itchy scalp due to Head Lice

Nit Comb: This is the first thing to do when you came to know that you have head lice. Use nit comb to remove all the lice from the scalp.

Neem Oil: Neem oil is effective against almost every type of parasite. Its pungent smell helps to kill the head lice and will make your scalp free from itching.

Vinegar & Salt: This is considered as the lethal combination for killing head lice. Vinegar contains acetic acid and salt exhibits desiccating properties. It is considered as the effective treatment for itchy scalp due to head lice.

Chemical Treatments: There are several shampoos or lotions available which you can use to get rid of head lice. Mediker, Lice shield etc are the shampoos which you can use for head lice.

Itchy Scalp and Hair Loss

Itchy scalp causes hair loss. Sometimes we do scratch our scalp so vigorously that it lead to falling out some hair follicles. There are various scalp disorders due to which you can face hair fall. Skin disorders like Psoriasis, Contact Dermatitis, Folliculitis and Hypothyroidism can contribute in making scalp itchy and hair loss.

Psoriasis

Psoriasis is referred to as chronic inflammatory skin disease. It can turn your scalp into reddish or often in scaly patches. It can occur as a single patch on even on entire scalp. Along with scalp, it can appear on your forehead, back of neck and behind ears. Psoriasis can also cause itchy bumps on scalp which may occur due to inflammation. Itchy scalp treatment for psoriasis may include topical treatments, medications or natural remedies too.

Topical Treatments

There are various medicated shampoos, ointments, soaps which can be used to treat itchy scalp. FDA (Food and Drug Administration) have approved over the counter drugs which can treat psoriasis are;

• Salicylic Acid
• Coal Tar

FDA has also approved latest medications known as biologics. These biologics can be  given by injection or IV which keeps your skin from making too many cells.

Natural remedies for itchy scalp due to psoriasis:

• Aloe vera: Aloe vera has been tested and proven for reducing the rashes and scaling of the skin. You can apply aloe vera gel onto  the affected area of the scalp. With regular use for 4-5 days, you can notice change in the affected area.
• Olive oil: Olive oil has high fatty acid content with vitamin E.It also exhibits anti-inflammatory action which helps to calm your skin. Use extra virgin olive oil; it will act as a great moisturizer on your parched skin

Folliculitis

Scalp folliculitis can also cause hair loss, itching or soreness. Folliculitis look like acne small spots or small rings of inflammation around the opening of a hair follicle following itching & soreness. Rigorous folliculitis causes excess inflammation which can permanently destroy hair follicles and bald spot. Non-infectious folliculitis is caused by excess oil and sebum on the scalp that can also clog the hair follicles.

Chemical Treatment

Folliculitis can be treated using antifungal shampoo or antifungal topical cream. Over the counter skin fading creams are also available which are known to be effective.

Natural remedies for itchy scalp due to folliculitis

• Neem: Neem leaves or oil both can be used as neem exhibits antifungal and antiseptic properties. You can rub neem oil on the folliculitis or can use neem water.
• Garlic: Garlic contains allicin, which is a potent antibacterial and antiviral agent. Garlic also contains vitamin C that inhibits enzymes cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase, causes of inflammation. You can eat cloves of garlic daily or supplement capsules of garlic.
• Contact dermatitis: Contact dermatitis is a common skin problem which occurs when you encounter with a foreign substance and skin lesions form on the affected area. This skin inflammation, redness, itching are the major symptoms of the contact dermatitis. Contact dermatitis can be transmitted due direct contact, airborne particles, water vapors or light.

Chemical Treatment

There are topical creams available which can be used to treat the skin lesions caused by contact dermatitis. Topical like clobetasol, mometasone furoate, methylprednisolone aceponate or other corticosteroids are recommended. Consult with your doctor before using any of them.

• Coconut oil: Coconut oil exhibits both anti-microbial and moisturizing properties, it can reduce your redness, scaling and dryness quickly, just within few days. You just need to apply some warm coconut oil daily.
•   Vitamin E: You can use vitamin E oil; it will promote healing and provides relief from severe itching and inflammation. Another option is, you can use lotions or creams too.