(82)Do you often have to scratch your itchy scalp? This can be embarrassing in public, and cause a lot of discomfort and even hair loss.
Some of the most common causes are dandruff, dry scalp, sebaceous cysts, excessive anxiety, poor hair care, fungus and viral infections, and poor diet.
There are many ways you can treat an itchy scalp without spending a lot of money. You can use some common kitchen ingredients to treat itchy scalp.
Here are the top 10 home remedies for an itchy scalp.
1. Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil, with its powerful natural antifungal, anti-inflammation and antibacterial properties, can be used to treat itchy scalp. You can use tea tree oil in various ways, for instance:
- You can add 10 to 20 drops of tea tree oil to one-half cup of baby shampoo and use it daily until the condition of your scalp improves.
- Another option is to dilute two or three drops of tea tree oil in one tablespoon of vegetable oil and massage the mixture onto your scalp. With regular use, this remedy will heal a dry, itchy scalp within a week or two.
2. Lemon Juice
Lemon juice will help treat an itchy and dry scalp because of its antiseptic properties. It is particularly useful when dealing with dandruff.
- You can simply apply fresh lemon juice thoroughly on the scalp. Leave it on for five minutes and then shampoo your hair. If you do not have dandruff, dilute the lemon juice in water.
- Alternately, you can mix lemon juice with yogurt and apply it on your scalp for a few minutes before washing your hair with a mild shampoo. Repeat at least daily until itchiness and dryness disappears.
3. Baking Soda
Another readily available ingredient that can relieve an itchy scalp is baking soda. It helps relieve itching by exfoliating the scalp and controlling dandruff caused by overactive fungi.
- Make a paste with baking soda and water and apply it directly onto your scalp. For best results, rub some olive oil on your scalp before applying the baking soda paste.
- Allow it to soak into your scalp for 10 to 15 minutes and then rinse well with water.
4. Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar has powerful anti-inflammation properties that help kill the yeast and virus that can cause itchy scalp. Also, apple cider vinegar balances the pH levels of the scalp, which may help relieve itching and dryness.
- Rinse your hair and scalp with water and allow it to dry.
- Mix equal amounts of apple cider vinegar and water and pour the mixture into a spray bottle. Apply this mixture directly onto your scalp with the help of cotton balls. Spray it on your scalp.
- After few minutes, shampoo with normal water.
Follow this remedy once or twice a week.
5. Aloe Vera
Aloe vera gel contains moisturizing properties, which may relieve excessive dryness and itching. If fresh aloe vera gel is not available, you can purchase the gel.
- Spread some fresh aloe vera gel onto your scalp using your fingers.
- Allow it to sit for 10 to 15 minutes and then wash your hair with a mild shampoo.
6. Coconut Oil
Coconut oil creates a barrier that helps keep skin moisturized and hence it is an effective way to treat an itchy scalp.
- Rub a little coconut oil onto the scalp after washing your hair your scalp when it is clean. Leave it on for at least half an hour and then wash it out with a perfume-free shampoo. Follow this simple remedy three times a week.
- Another option is to gently heat coconut oil so that it melts, add it to your shampoo before washing your hair.
7. Bananas
If you like to eat bananas, you will be happy to know that it can also be used to treat an itchy scalp. Bananas will treat your itchy scalp while also conditioning your hair. The nourishing and moisturizing properties in bananas will also reduce flakes, dandruff and inflammation.
- Simply mash two bananas and mix them together with one ripe avocado.
- Apply this mixture to your scalp (and your hair if you want).
- Allow it to sit for half an hour and then rinse thoroughly.
8. Sesame Seed Oil
Sesame oil is highly nourishing, healing and lubricating, making it an effective treatment for a dry scalp and give you relief from itchiness.
- Heat some sesame oil to warm it slightly.
- Massage your scalp with the warm oil before going to bed each night. For best results, massage the scalp with your fingertips for at least 10 minutes, wrap your head in a hot towel and leave it on for about 10 minutes before going to bed. When this oil remains on the scalp all night, it provides optimum moisturizing.
- Shampoo and rinse your scalp and hair thoroughly in the morning. Continue this treatment as long as necessary.
9. Witch Hazel
Witch Hazel is a natural astringent that can help relieve itchy scalp. This herb is beneficial when you have an itchy scalp due to hair coloring and daily blow drying.
- Mix one part witch hazel with two parts water.
- Pour the mixture onto your scalp and massage thoroughly. Let it sit for a few minutes.
- Wash and rinse your hair and scalp thoroughly.
10. Jojoba Oil
Jojoba oil is a great natural moisturizing treatment to relieve a dry and itchy scalp. The molecular structure of jojoba oil is closest to that of our own natural oil or sebum, which makes it a very effective rejuvenating and hydrating treatment.
- Massage a small amount of jojoba oil onto your scalp for a few minutes before going to bed. Leave it on overnight.
- In the morning, wash your hair with a mild shampoo.
Repeat this remedy once a week.
For best results with any of these remedies, follow them without fail for some time to completely treat the problem.
M going to use this method .hope it would be better for me.
I tried fresh lemon juice with shampoo and the results were perfect. I nonger experience icthy scalp and hair loss.
My daughter has dry scalp and natural thick curly hair. I have tried different shampoos, conditioners and to no avail. I just did the mayonnaise,eggs and olive oil treatment. Her hair came out very silky and soft. I think I’m going to keep doing this treatment on her.
Can you give me your recipe for the mayo, eggs,& olive oil treatment. Thanks
I have a question on the Apple Cider Vinegar treatment….. Does it matter if it’s Raw apple cider vinegar, or can it be pasturize?
From what I’ve read the raw Apple cider vinegar is better because the “good parts” haven’t been cooked off. But if you have pasturized it shouldn’t hurt to try it, at worst it doesnt help and you try again with the raw.
I used the banana mixture without the avacado and so far the only problem that occured was that it was difficult keeping the mess in control and that tiny pieces of banana kept sticking in my hair. I had to rinse, shampoo and condition twice each to get most of the bits out and the tangled state my hair was in but the good thing is there is no longer any itching. Thanks!
Really excited to try these, been scratching like crazy & seem odd doing it. Can’t wait to try these!
A perfect blog to avoid dandruff……..Oh my god I am so excited to try all because i found a perfect solution at a single place….Thank you so much for this blog,,,,,,,,
thanks everyone for your input on itchy scalp. I get itchy scalp every night . I thought it may be my pillow cases but I change them weekly , now I change them more often and my scalp still itches so I will try the lemon method in shampoo but not the oil.
Thank you ever so much!,, I will try all the methods ansee wich one the best for my hair
If someone is still searching: I’ve lived with this terribly itchy scalp for years. When I scratch these tiny beads come forth, often attached to hair. They are hard when my scalp is dry and soft when my scalp is moisturized. I’ve tried everything. Every shampoo, no shampoo, creams, dandruff stuff and even the stuff above, which does not help me personally.
Try 50% denatured alcohol.
It’s the only thing that works very well for about 3 – 5 Days. Alternatively Nivea Men Sensitive soap works for about a day but dries my scalp out. Skin antibiotics works reasonably well too but I would not suggest that one.
I have no idea what is causing it but it is terrible. My dermatologist says it is save to use the denatured alcohol. Since I used the alcohol even my acne got much better and the itchiness stops after a few minutes upon applying the alcohol. Please ask your doctor for your specific case and maybe try the Nivea soap first. It is widely available. It is the white blue one. Hope this helps somebody.
Your description of “tiny beads attached to hair” sounds like lice eggs. Have you tried treating for lice?
Helpful! thanks a lot!