An itchy scalp is a common and unpleasant symptom that can be caused by numerous conditions. The itching can be mild and transient or intense, accompanied by significant discomfort. Itching, or pruritus, often leads to scratching and consequently skin damage in the scalp area.
An itchy scalp can also lead to more serious complications such as hair loss, secondary skin infections, sleep disturbances, and worsened overall well-being.
What Causes an Itchy Scalp?
There are many possible causes for an itchy scalp. Some of the most common include:
Irregular Hair Washing
Sebum, which protects the skin from drying out, accumulates on the scalp daily. When we wash our hair, we remove sebum and other impurities from the scalp.
If hair is not washed frequently enough, sebum builds up and causes itching. Additionally, poorly rinsed shampoo can be an irritant.
Dandruff
Dandruff is one of the most common scalp issues, where small, flaky pieces of skin fall from the scalp. These yellow or white flakes typically come with an itchy scalp. Dandruff can be caused by fungi or other skin conditions like eczema.
Seborrheic Dermatitis
Seborrheic dermatitis is a common skin condition that causes a scaly rash and can affect any oily part of the body, including the scalp. The white or yellow scales can be dry or oily and cause scalp itching, which can worsen if an infection occurs.
Being an inflammatory condition, seborrheic dermatitis may also produce a rash that can swell and change skin color.
In darker skin, the rash may appear pink, purple, or lighter than the surrounding skin. In lighter skin, the rash looks red and raised.
Psoriasis
Psoriasis is an autoimmune inflammatory skin disease that causes silvery-white scales and thick reddish patches called plaques.
About half of the people with psoriasis experience symptoms on their scalp. Plaques may also spread beyond the scalp to the back of the neck or behind the ears.
Neuropathic Cause
Intensely itchy scalp without visible rash or other skin reactions could also be due to a neuropathic cause, a medical term for issues due to nerve damage, disease, or dysfunction.
Other conditions that can affect nerve sensitivity include shingles and diabetes. Scarring can damage nerves, and if hair loss has caused deep scars, they may have damaged nerves leading to scalp itching.
Head Lice
Lice are tiny insects that can settle and live on your scalp. Adult lice can be spotted on the scalp or hair, approximately the size of a sesame seed and light brown in color. Because they move, they are harder to find than their eggs (also called nits).
Nits are yellow, brown, or tan and stick to the hair. Head lice spread easily and are particularly common among children aged 3 to 11. The main symptom is intense scalp itching, which is actually an allergic reaction to the insect bites.
In this case, it is necessary to use preparations that completely suppress the lice, as this is the only way to eliminate the cause of the itching.
How Can We Help Ourselves in Case of an Itchy Scalp?
When dealing with an itchy scalp, the first step should always be to select appropriate products for cleansing and soothing. The primary goal should always be to stop the itch.
In alleviating it, choosing the right shampoo is crucial. It should be especially gentle and free from sulfates, silicones, and artificial fragrances, as these ingredients can further burden and irritate the scalp, which is dry, oily, and reactive.
Gentle Hydrolate Shampoo 250 ml
This ultra-gentle hemp shampoo has a delicate cleansing base of plant origin that soothes the scalp, invigorates and balances. Da.. Details
$20.00
Choose a shampoo that is gentle yet effective for relieving itchiness, excessive oil secretion, and soothing irritation. It is important that you can use the shampoo frequently enough without stressing the scalp.
An ideal choice for particularly sensitive scalps dealing with itching, dandruff, and oiliness is a shampoo with hydrolat. When the condition is particularly severe and results from seborrheic dermatitis or psoriasis, it makes sense to supplement the treatment with hemp ointment rich in CBD extract.
Therapeutic CBD Skin Balm 50 ml
An intensive balm that provides immediate relief to red, itchy, irritated and flaky skin. Suitable for the whole family, including.. Details
$33.50
Therapeutic CBD ointment can be applied locally to problem areas or used as an overnight treatment for the entire scalp. CBD cannabinoids activate the endocannabinoid receptors in the skin, calming both the itching and flaking, and excessive oiliness.
As a support in cases of autoimmune conditions and neuropathic origins, CBD drops Amber 600 mg are an excellent addition, supporting the skin from the inside out and contributing to longer-term solutions to skin imbalances.
CBD Oil Amber 600 mg CBD 20 ml (3%)
A full-spectrum hemp extract with an exceptional balance of all naturally occurring cannabinoids and terpenes. Optimal synergy for.. Details
$27.00
When to Visit a Doctor?
Usually, an itchy scalp does not indicate serious health conditions, but it still makes sense to pay more attention in cases when:
- The itching is severe, preventing you from sleeping at night or affecting your daily activities and overall well-being.
- The itching lasts several weeks in a row without a clear cause.
- Over-the-counter anti-dandruff shampoos are not effective.
- Itchy areas of the scalp are swollen or painful.