Itchy scalp? Top causes and how to manage it.
By Napturally Val, Hair blogger
Itchy scalp? We all have been there at some point so you are not alone. The discomfort, head patting & the not so soothing scratching. Itchiness is a sign of an unhealthy scalp and to deal with it you ought to figure out the cause. Figuring the cause can be confusing & frustrating but worry not cause here are some of the reasons your scalp is itching & how to treat it.
Build - up.
One of the major causes is build up from products, dirt and sweat. Frequent use of styling products (moisturizers, gels, creams), co-washing instead of clarifying the scalp could be the root of the build up. If you cleanse your scalp after every two weeks or monthly, you'll notice your scalp starts to itch as you approach wash day & the itch persists if you skip washing your hair.
To get rid of build up, cleanse your scalp with a clarifying shampoo. A clean scalp is a healthy scalp.
Allergic reaction.
Ever tried a new product that almost everyone loves, your scalp to itch & you feel the product is the problem? Well, the problem could be your scalp is allergic to an ingredient used in the product.
Experience itchy scalp everytime you braid? Well, you could be allergic to the synthetic but there's a remedy for that. Soak your synthetic hair in Apple Cider Vinegar before braiding & don't braid too tight this could also be the reason your scalp itches after braiding.
Wash your braids after a couple of weeks to get rid of all the dirt, sweat and products collected on your scalp to avoid itching & don't forget to moisturize and nourish your scalp when in braids.
Dandruff.
First, dandruff doesn't equate to growth. You might have heard that the presence of dandruff means your hair is growing, that's a lie. Your hair is always growing and dandruff shows something isn't right on your scalp.
Dandruff can be as a result of overgrowth of yeast like fungus, inflammation, build up, oily scalp etc. To eliminate dandruff use products with antimicrobial, antifungal & antibacterial properties.
Tea tree, Neem, eucalyptus, peppermint oils soothes the scalp and clears infections. Mix the above oils with oils like olive before application. Aloe Vera gel too has healing and soothing properties.
Once you've identified the cause of scalp itchiness, managing it is as easy as;
Cleansing your scalp to get rid of dirt, sweat & product build up.
Avoid using a lot of styling gels, creams and products.
Soaking synthetic hair in Apple cider vinegar before braiding.
Don't braid or tie your hair too tight.
Use products with antibacterial, antimicrobial & healing properties.
Minimize stress and meditate.
Pay attention to products with ingredients you are / might be allergic to.
I hope you found this post useful. Bid bye bye to itchy scalp.