If your head itches really bad you may need more than just a shampoo.

by Mike Marenick

A dry scalp is the most common cause of an itchy head. Your scalp is designed to naturally produce oil (called sebum) that keeps the skin on your head moist and conditioned. Unfortunately there are many things that we do in our daily lives that can affect the amount of sebum on our scalp. Without this naturally produced oil the itching will never go away and you may end up having a dandruff problem. To determine the best way to treat your scalp itch problem you first need to determine what is causing the itch.

Checkout The Hair Care Products You Use

Some people simply use too many hair care products. In your daily routine you might use a shampoo, conditioner, hair detangler, hair thickener, mousse, hair spray or pomade. Some of the ingredients in these hair care products can actually dry your scalp.  Many hairsprays contain alcohol so they dry quickly but alcohol will also dry your scalp. In addition, some of these products may actually clog your hair follicles and block the scalps ability to produce sebum naturally. This can happen when the products build up on the scalp over time. If you have a dry scalp the products you are using may be the root of the problem.

Where You Live Or The Season of the Year

Dry warm air will also dry your skin. Your scalp is very special and can be much more sensitive to dry air. If you live in a climate where the air is dry year round this could be your problem. People who live in desert areas like Las Vegas or Arizona may have to give their scalp a little extra help to counter act the dry climate. But even if you don’t live in a desert climate you could suffer with a dry scalp during the colder months of the year. In the winter we tend to spend more time indoors. The heating systems produce dry warm air.  It feels so good but unfortunately can also case a dry scalp. If your head itches only in the cold winter months then this dry heat could be your problem.

You May Have a Medical Condition

Your dry scalp may be the side effect or the signs of a more serious medical condition. Skin conditions such as psoriasis, seborrheic dermatitis and eczema can also cause an itchy scalp. Typically these diseases also have other symptoms that may make it easier for you to diagnose. Psoriasis is often associated with heavy scaly build up known as plaques. When you have Seborrheic dermatitis you will typically see yellow looking scaling. Eczema will likely be associated with redness and flaking in addition to the itch. If you are experiencing more than just an itchy scalp you may want to see a doctor for an accurate diagnosis.

How Do You Treat a Dry Scalp?

The best way is to start with a quality shampoo that contains ingredients that both help to remove dead skin cells and nourish your skin. The ingredients used in psoriasis shampoos are often the same ingredients you need to solve your scalp itch problem. Salicylic acid is usually the active ingredient. Sal Acid is a natural exfoliating ingredient and will quickly help to remove any dry dead skin cells from your scalp. A top rated psoriasis shampoo will also include ingredients that provide vitamins, minerals and proteins that will nourish your scalp and balance the oils. This nourishment may come from pure essential oils, herbal extracts or even food based ingredients such as eggs. When using one of these shampoos it is very important you follow the directions. They are not designed to be lathered up and washed out quickly like a regular shampoo. To get the full benefits you will need to leave it on your scalp for 2-3 minutes so it has time to work.

If you have a really serious dry scalp you may need a couple of other products. There are scalp oils on the market that are formulated with natural essential oils. A scalp oil is typically designed to be applied at night and shampooed out in the morning. While you are sleeping the oils will have plenty of time to condition and soothe your dry scalp.

You may also want to try a topical cream. Often these creams will contain the same active ingredients as the psoriasis shampoo but is formulated to be left on the scalp. When using a psoriasis cream you should put a little on your finger tip and apply it to any hot or itchy spots on your scalp. Leaving it on throughout