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.
This site is wonderful that help me lots
Thanx alwaiys!
Wondeful site… Kinda blessing n a miracle for the despair.
I have been using a 3 step hair product which is working for less hair loss and slight regrowth; however the last 2 months my scalp and hair is extremely dry. I have been using coconut and tea tree oil. Retail store employees are clueless. Manufacturer says to go to retail store for info. Thank you for your info
DO NOT use baking soda to heal a rash. I am trying to heal a rash CAUSED by baking soda. You can clean grime and bleach with baking soda, why would you put it on an inflammation? !
thanks for sharing.
But u just may be one of the unfortunates allergic to the baking get soda…. most of us use it for one purpose or another and we don’t ‘break’ out with rash or anything
Because it’s a natural anti-inflammatory that rash is probably not what yoyo think it is your rash is not caused by the banking soda it’s worked for all of my inflammation and it removes strains from my clothes!!! It’s probably never going to work for you! You should go get some pharmaceutical from an MD that will give you some chemical that after you take it will be on some ad with an attorney and that your great grand children will now have a rash that never goes away!!! GOOD LUCK!
Sorry I’m just the devils advocate with smart-ass responses to add a little fun to our misery
I used it in a tub of hot water whenever my daughter had a diaper rash. Works wonders!
I agree since baking soda damaged my skin as well I got a really bad burns that later turned into a black rash and took a while to get rid off. The best option for me is the tea tree oil and lemon juice
I have made homemade deodorants In which baking soda was a main ingredient and without essential oils. I don’t have an allergy to it, and yet applied topically under the arms it caused sensitivity. It could be the inherent abrasive and absorbent properties. Arrowroot starch based concoctions have been soothing alternatives
I’ve been suffering for months from itchy and very dry scalp filled with ‘dandruff’. I’ve bought mild champooes, special soothing lotions without anything really working. Tonight I’ve done the banana/avocado treatment for head and hair, and whilst the mixture was ‘brewing’ (wrapped my head in tin foil and a towel) I felt no itching, but nice tingling sensation. Thereafter, after rinsing it all out I followed it up with Jojoba oil massaged into scalp and into hair (also wrapped my head up in foil and a towel). I’m looking as I’ve never washed my hair ever, and having the worst ‘bad hair day’, but for the first time in ages I’m sitting here 4 hours later with no itching what so ever.
It’s such a incredible feeling I can hardly believe it!!
Ok, it’s just the start of it all so I’m yet to see how I’m tomorrow, and the coming days. I’ve got more bananas/avocado and oil so I’m ready to carry on the treatment and hopefully I’ve finally found the cure…. Feeling good 🙂
How’s the Avocado-banana treatment going?
Did you get any messages from aliens while you had the tin foil on your head 🙂
i luv the treatment of the tea tree oil it really helps!
“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.”
how regular should I so this step ? daily or 3-4 times a week , or ..?
I was already thinking before I searched that I’d use tea tree oil on my head as it’s itchy today, and was quite happy that it was the first result. Your comment makes it even better, I’m definitely going to try the tea tree one 😀 thanks
can I dilute tea tree oil with jojoba rather than vegetable oil? and massage it into the scalp ?
You should always dilute an essential oil with a carrier oil like jojoba. Coconut oil is my fave. You can also use almond, olive, ect.
Hi ! Can I mix 1 tablespoon of j
Sorry for the unfinished post earlier on. * Can I mix 1 tablespoon of jojobo oil with drops of tea tree oil rather than using vegetable oil? and you mentioned with regular use. how often is the regular ? once daily?
Thanks much!
These are wonderful tips, but careful when using the banana and avocado mix. I did and it caused my hair to get tangled and tearing occurred.
I am thinking that next time what I will do is to mix tea tree oil with coconut oil and get a shampoo without sodium laureth sulfate.
That’s odd that your hair got tangled, both bananas and avocado should have made your hair really soft. Maybe try combing your hair before and after with a wide-tooth comb to prevent this, and even trying to use the comb to apply the mixture to your hair.
The tea tree oil and coconut oil sounds good, I need to get to a grocery store to get the coconut oil! 😛
What kind of shampoo that without “sodium laureth sulfate ” ?
Clean and clear
You would use baking soda on rash provide there weren’t open wounds ……
I got a small cut on my scalp line from scratching so much. Don’t worry it wasn’t Open* anyways I’m thinking maybe a few weeks later after the cut is gone I think I should try the lemon method. So far not hearing anything positive from the baking soda.
I can’t wait to try the bananas & avocados!
Looking for a solution of itchy scalp due to hair dyes.have tried different hair dyes but the itching is severe.have changed to natural dyes but still same reaction.
Also have a family member suffering from hair loss.systematically the front portion has very noticeable loss.Desperate
Your imput is welcome
Ammonia hair dyes can cause major hair loss especially after many uses and may take a few months to years before the hair stops completely falling out (more than what’s natural of course) and fill in to the length of the rest. If you have to dye your hair please look into natural dyes and if your go lighter, think about a color change… sometimes darker can be more flattering.
Truly helpful.Thanks to Home remedies
I recently tried the banana and avocado mixture and it went horrible! If you try this remedy make sure to blend everything. I tried to mash everything but the avocado left a huge mess in my bathroom. It kept dropping on the floor and I never left it in longer than 10 minutes it was gross. I think I will try the banana alone next time, that would not be too bad when rinsing out in the shower. Another thing is that the avocado mess would not rinse out of my hair for 2 days! it was nasty and i did not notice a difference in my dry, itching scalp either.
use a blender or food processor to make this a smooth mixture
Wonderful site! Thank you so much!
Definately tea tree oil and one of the carrier oils, coconut, olive, jojoba oils, there are quite a few to choose from. My scalp was very itchy and patches of dry flakes always appeared soon after washing. I started mixing tree oil to my carrier oil and noticed a great improvement in days. I apply direct every few days or 2 to 3 times a week, a light application to my scalp. I stopped using shampoos and only wash with a mild conditioner or sulphate free products, which can be expensive, shop online for those, you have better choice and prices, good luck. My friend recently mentioned flax seed oil, which is a great remedy for our hair and diets, check out loads of info online!!!
amma try this on my clients
hope it helps……
Thanks. Wonderful comments. I use tea tree oil for any skin problem.
Warning!!!!!! Baking soda helps lose hair.
Thanks for the usingful info
I had a real bad problem with itchy scaling bumps on the back of my head because of the shampoo i was using. I purchased a small bottle of apple cider vinegar at thr dollar store, diluted to 50/50 and librtally applied after using a mild shampoo.
Didn’t cure but brought the condition under control. I had tried the tea tree oil but that didn’t help.
trying the apple cider vinegar right now. it tingles and feels like it’s working. i’ll see if it can help prevent these embarrassing flakes on the shoulders. i have dry scalp, not dandruff, and am thinking the same thing- this probably won’t cure it, but might help me manage it by treating a few times a week.
Have been driven crazy with a itchy scalp the last few weeks, due from hot humid weather, I am going to try the apple cider vinegar, and fingers crossed I hope it works.
you people think that mouths and weeks are bad try about 8 years i had it ever since my parents got divorced . but i am going to try some of this ideas and hope they work
they all sound useful and helpful
Same here!it’s been 6 years for me… Mine started in hair school & now I have been diagnosed with scarred alopecia. The solutions that I find that really work, are the apple cider vinegar and washing my hair with black soap!
My hair got tangled with lots of avocado residue when I tried the banana avacado mix. I think next time ill use just the banana. It helped my itchiness, but the avocado was a total mess! Gentle shampoo and fragrance free conditioner has been key in helping me stay itch free.
I tried the vinegar and olive oil and it help A lots mix together and let it set for one-half an hour and rinse it out and shampoo your hair.it works.
I use a natural shampoo bar i bought from Lush, it’s a shop in the UK that make handmade cosmetics, I can’t remember the name of the product, but it’s the only one they have for this condition. Then I use a good quality conditioner that I borrow from my wife without her knowing. Once a week I treat my scalp to remove the dry flakes with apple cider vinegar, once that’s rinsed off i apply natural yogurt and massage it in and leave it for a while, maybe 5 minutes.
i’m a firm believer that natural remedies should be tried first. Love all the comments; Larn’s especially: Then I use a good quality conditioner that I borrow from my wife without her knowing lol. Seriously though, I’ve always had a dry scalp. Itching can be literally debillitating. When you’ve got kids who bring home head lice from school yet you don’t have it and the itching never goes away, even after head lice are treated. It’s incredibly frustrating. Constant scratch. I worry my long, curly hair will fall out. I have tried some of these ideas, they are great. I also used a carrier oil (this hasn’t been mentioned yet so I will) with a combo of tea tree for it’s anti-fungal properties, eucalyptus oil, and peppermint oil, the latter of which provide the much needed cooling sensation. I think it’s something many more people wrestle with than any of us knew about which is somehow reassuring and I’m very grateful for everyone else’s insight and opinions. Thanks all.
I’m surprised no one said cold water will help! I’m going to try that cuz I’m tired of this stupid head itch!!!
USE WITCH HAZEL -IN SPRAY BOTTLE THEN COMB OUT WITH COLD WATER.
BE SURE TO USE GOOD QUALITY 100% WITCH HAZEL
Going to try this one. Thanks.
So a few months now I’ve had dry flaky scalp with dandruff. It itches a lot and its terrible. I thought it would go away after a few weeks but it still hasn’t. It’s really troublesome now. I i would scratch it so bad that the flaky skin would come off… kind of peel off from my scalp. The skin underneath is very sensitive and its red. Its not my whole scalp but only bottom left. Anyhow i started to do some research this week and i camr upon the home remedies. Today i tried the lemon juice. It helped for a few hours but then started scratching so bad again. Im scared to scratch it in case the flaky skin comes off again. If anyone had use the lemon remedy or baking soda remedy.. can you please let me know if it works and if it soothes the scalp after a few days. I also want to know if it get rids of the dandruff/ dry flak thing. Furthermore please also let me know how long in takes. Maybe 1 week? I really want to get rid of this as soon as possible because its scaring me now and its getting annoying because of the itchness.
Have any of you been seen by a dermatologist? It could be dermatitis. I have an itchy scalp but I cannot use any oils because I have folliculitis caused by a yeast, and coconut oil can inflame this, same as dermatitis can be caused by a yeast. Best shampoos are Head and Shoulders classic, but don’t rule out that it is just an itchy scalp.
If you have itchy scalp, you may want to see if you have diabetes. It’s one of the symptoms I had that led my doctor to checking me for it. I use 50/50 apple cider vinegar & water. But I’m going to also try the tree tree oil & coconut oil after my apple cider vinegar treatments to keep my scalp from being so dry. The apple cider vinegar really does help the itching. Makes my hair very soft too!
I put apple cider vinegar in a spray bottle diluted only with a small amount of water and I spray my whole scalp with it after I shampoo and condition and just leave it in. It cleans my scalp well and feels so good and cooling. Also try tar shampoo every other day and it works well. I have psoriasis on my scalp and my medicine doesn’t always help.
So don’t use the vinegar for two weeks, just the coal tar, then let me know if it’s the shampoo. If you use both, you can’t give the vinegar any credit yet.
The word psoriasis sprung out at me. I was at my hairdresser a fortnight ago, and another lady client was saying she had had complete success curing this problem by washing her hair in OMO, then occasionally using a conditioner. I was seeking remedies for a continually itchy scalp but no dandruff.
What is Omo
In Australia – OMO is a laundry powder used for washing clothes. I’m not sure if it is something else somewhere else in the world.
Here is what I noticed: What makes my scalp itch is when I get conditioner on my
scalp. Never do this! Make sure you only put conditioner on the bottom of your hair.
Try this remedy. Before washing your hair, wet your scalp with mouth wash & leave
on for 5 minutes and wash as usual. You can also rinse with mouth wash.
I just tried baking soda and tea tree oil shampoo together and it seems to help me. I have anxiety and when I get nervous my scalp itches. I have been this way for a month. It seems to help when I use this remedy on my hair and it seems to help.
I’ve used regular vinegar, diluted 1/1 every so often. I just pour 1 cup of the mixture over my head after shampooing and leave it on for 1 minute. After 2 or 3 days of doing this, the itching it totally gone. Now if I could get in the habit of doing it weekly, I might be on the right path. I might also try the apple cider vinegar, as I already know the regular vinegar works well. Not sure I want to fool with the oils but I’m sure they’re good tool
I want to know if any oil would be good for the scalp. I hate the smell of tea tree oil.
I have heard olive oil is good for the scalp as well as the skin. Or even baby oil in small qty’s.
i have used baby oil shampoo it works for about 2 days then back to normel
Any time I fix or braid my hair, d itching won’t stop. So I tink am going to try d lemon first to c if it will help.
I’ll try the lemon juice treatment… its sour time people!!!
While using the bananna/avocado treatments is it necessary to use oil after using the bananna /avocado
I’m surprised nobody has tried shaken-up raw egg on the scalp. Don’t do banana or avocado. Egg is a natural protein food and one application really helped my scalp. Apply, leave on a while then rinse and shampoo.
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!
For the past year after a very stressful issue at work, I have horrible flaking (even touching my hair looks like its snowing!) & itchy scalp. Will the above remedies help the flaking & itching? I have NEVER had issues with this before & its mortifying & embarrassing.