Dealing with an itchy scalp

An itchy scalp can be frustrating to deal with. Most of the time we are advised to use a particular type of anti-itch shampoo or hair oil to deal with it but these remedies are often ineffective if you do not deal with the underlying cause of the itch.

Dirt and sweat

If you do not wash your hair and scalp regularly, natural oils produced by your skin, dirt and sweat builds up causing your scalp to become itchy (and sometimes, even smelly).

Dry scalp

This can be due to a dry climate, failure to moisturise your scalp or using the wrong hair products. A dry scalp not only flakes but if the underlying skin breaks, bacteria can get in and cause an infection. Try to find hair products that do not dry your scalp of natural oils and keep away from harsh soaps/shampoos.

Lice

These tiny insects infest your scalp, suck your blood and can cause intense itching. They are more common in communal situations such as schools or prisons. However, if one member of the household gets lice, they can be passed on to the rest of the family. Lice not only invade the hair on your head, they can infest your pubic region (in this case, they are passed from one person to another during sexual contact).

Treatment for lice usually requires use of special medicated shampoos that destroy both the lice and the eggs they have laid. Usually, beddings and clothing need to be washed, treated and hung out to dry. It is not necessary to cut the hair on the scalp but pubic and armpit hair is best shaved once you have a lice infestation.

Ringworm

This refers to a fungus that can infect your skin or scalp and cause itchy, scaly, bald patches on your head. They can affect any part of the body and are easily passed from one person to another through contact. They are more common in children but have been known to affect adults as well. A single ringworm may respond to treatment with medicated shampoos and creams but multiple ringworms require use of medicated anti-fungal tablets to completely eradicate them. Treatment usually lasts about four to six weeks.

Scalp psoriasis

Psoriasis is a condition that causes dry, itchy, flaky build-up of skin plaques in different parts of the body. The plaques often look greyish or pinkish in colour. They sometimes crack and bleed after scratching.

Treatment for scalp psoriasis involves use of special medicated shampoo or ointment to apply on the scalp. A dermatologist may also prescribe use of ultraviolet rays to help clear the plaques.

Dandruff

Dandruff has often wrongly been attributed to a dirty scalp. However, this is not necessarily true. Even people who regularly wash their hair have been known to have it. Dandruff is thought to be small pieces of skin flaking off your scalp.

It can occur if your scalp is either very dry or very oily or if you have an underlying health condition such as Parkinson’s disease or even HIV/Aids. Most cases of dandruff can clear with use of the right shampoo and hair products.

Seborrheic dermatitis

This looks very similar to dandruff but occurs in patches on the scalp, neck, upper chest and even back. Usually, it requires medicated ointment and soap to clear.

Folliculitis

This is the appearance of small red or white-headed pimples around the base of your hair. This is due to infection of the hair follicles (holes from which your hair grows). This can affect vast segments of your scalp leading to crust formation and hair loss. Treatment requires medicated shampoo or ointment. Light therapy and surgery is sometimes required to completely eradicate folliculitis.

Alopecia Areata

This is patchy hair loss caused by your immune system wrongfully attacking your hair follicles. Unfortunately, there is no known cure for alopecia areata. In some cases, the hair grows back on its own but in other cases, you end up losing most of your hair.

Allergic reaction

A common cause of itchy scalp is allergic reaction to hair products such as soap, shampoo, treatment, conditioner, hair dye or even detergent used to clean a headscarf or hat. In some cases, a product that previously worked well for you may begin to cause you itchy spells.

General tips for dealing with itchy scalp

—Avoid scratching irritated skin. It only makes the irritation worse and can even cause a skin infection.
—Stop using any hair or skin products that you suspect might be causing the problem.
—If you have scalp lice or ringworms, assess everyone in the family for them and get treatment for everyone.
—Pets can also harbour fungus and pests can cause skin problems in humans and must be assessed by the vet if there are any concerns.
—Clean your scalp with mild soap and lukewarm water.
—Avoid using antihistamines for your itchy scalp unless you are sure that the problem is allergies.
—If you are unsure of the cause of your dry scalp, visit your dermatologist for professional advice on how to manage it. It is essential to have unusual patches on your scalp assessed by a health professional.