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Get Itchy Scalp Relief Naturally Without Chemicals

Updated on October 19, 2017
isvayah profile image

Isvaiyah has been a licensed pharmacist at Gadjah Mada University (Indonesia) for nine years. She earned her M.Sc. from the same university.

Home Remedies for Itchy Scalp

An itchy scalp or known as scalp pruritus is a very common skin condition. Although typically not a severe medical concern, it can cause discomfort, frequent scratching, and other annoying symptoms.

It can be very irritating if you have an itchy scalp. The condition can have a number of possible causes, including:

  • Dry skin may cause itchiness.
  • Dandruff is a common cause of itchiness.
  • Eczema can affect the scalp, as well as other parts of the body.
  • Psoriasis can affect the scalp, as well as other parts of the body. On the scalp it can cause dandruff and sometimes itching.
  • Allergies, particularly to hair care products, can cause an itchy scalp.
  • Head lice. These wingless insects can cause severe itching. Their white eggs are known as nits.

Although typically not a severe medical concern, an itchy scalp or in medical term known as scalp pruritus can cause discomfort, frequent scratching, and other annoying symptoms.
Although typically not a severe medical concern, an itchy scalp or in medical term known as scalp pruritus can cause discomfort, frequent scratching, and other annoying symptoms.

Conventional Itchy Scalp Treatment Options

The correct treatment for your itchy scalp depends on the cause of the condition. Dandruff can be treated by various anti-dandruff shampoos. Scalp psoriasis can be treated with a special coal tar shampoo. In the case of allergies, you’ll need to avoid contact with whatever’s causing the allergy. Antihistamines can also be used.

Head lice can be found using a fine detection comb. You can then clearly see them, or their eggs, with a magnifying glass. Over-the-counter shampoos that contain insecticide can be used to kill the lice. Wash all bedding, towels, and clothing on as high a temperature wash cycle as you can, without damaging them.

A dry scalp can be made worse if you shampoo too frequently. Only shampoo every other day, or even less frequently. Shampooing removes your scalp’s natural oils, so tends to make it drier.

Best Itchy Scalp Relief Remedies

There are a number of natural alternative itchy skin relief remedies, some of which are particularly effective on the scalp. If the symptoms persist, however, consult your physician or qualified skin specialist.

Here are several effective home remedies for a dry itchy scalp:

Home Remedies for Itchy Scalp Relief

Remedies
Instructions
Coconut oil
Gently rub some oil into the scalp, leave it for 30 minutes, and then rinse.
Jojoba oil
Gently rub some into your scalp, leave it for at least half an hour, and then rinse.
Tea tree oil
Add a few drops of coconut oil, then rub it gently into the scalp. Rinse off after about half an hour.
Lemon juice
Add lemon juice to unsweetened plain yogurt, and then rub it into your hair. Leave for 30 minutes, then shampoo as normal.
Rosemary oil
Add a few drops of rosemary essential oil to your normal shampoo. Mix in well before use.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Dilute ACV one to one with water before use. Rinse your hair with water, and then gently rub in the diluted ACV. Leave for around 15 minutes, and then shampoo as normal.
Lavender
Add about four to five drops to a tablespoon of jojoba oil or coconut oil, and then gently rub it onto the scalp. Leave for around 15 minutes, and then shampoo as normal.

How to Get Rid of an Itchy Scalp, by Nik Scott

#1 Remedy: Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is a great an alternative itchy scalp remedy. It is particularly effective on dry skin, as it is a very good moisturizer. It can also relieve the symptoms of eczema. However, keep in mind that it is better to use virgin coconut oil (VCO), rather than the normal “RBD” oil.

What to do? Gently rub some oil into your scalp, leave it for 30 to 40 minutes, and then rinse it out with water.

#2 Remedy: Jojoba Oil

Jojoba oil is another good natural remedy for an itchy scalp, particularly when it is due to dry skin. It comes from the jojoba bush, Simmondsia chinensis, which is native to Arizona, southern California and Mexico, and is now widely cultivated.

Jojoba oil is a mild oil, but a good moisturizer. Gently rub some into your scalp, leave it for at least half an hour, and then rinse it out with water. Jojoba oil can help ease eczema, so is a useful oil if your itchy scalp is due to this condition.

#3 Remedy: Tea Tree Oil

The tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) gives an oil that is useful for combating an itchy scalp. It has significant antifungal properties, so is a good for dandruff, which is often caused by yeast on the scalp. Australian researchers, in a scientific study published in 2002, had concluded that shampoo containing 5% tea tree oil was better than the shampoo alone in combating dandruff.

What to do? It can be used in various ways. You can add a little to coconut oil, then rub it gently into the scalp. Rinse off after about half an hour. Alternatively, you can add a little tea tree oil to your normal shampoo. Mix in 1 part of tea oil to 20 parts of shampoo.

A Warning Word

Occasionally people react badly to tea tree oil. Test a small amount of diluted oil on your skin if you haven’t used it before (dilute with olive oil). Leave for 24 hours to check that there is no adverse reaction. Discontinue use if it seems to make matters worse.

In addition to having potent antifungal and antiseptic properties, lemon juice can inhibit dandruff by halting the yeast growth that causes it.
In addition to having potent antifungal and antiseptic properties, lemon juice can inhibit dandruff by halting the yeast growth that causes it.

#4 Lemon Juice

Try treating your scalp with lemon juice. It can inhibit dandruff by halting the yeast growth that causes it. It has antifungal and antiseptic properties.

How to use lemon juice to remove dry itchy scalp?

Squeeze two or three lemons to get the fresh juice, dilute it with an equal amount of water, and then gently rub the diluted juice into your scalp. Leave it for around ten minutes, and then shampoo your hair as normal.

You can also add lemon juice to unsweetened plain yogurt, then rub this mixture into your hair. Leave for 20 to 30 minutes, then shampoo as normal to remove it.

#5 Remedy: Rosemary Oil

Rosemary has been used for centuries to improve the condition of the hair and scalp. It has potent antifungal and antibacterial properties, and is often by people who have dandruff. Note that some commercial “rosemary” shampoos may contain very little actual rosemary. Try buying some rosemary essential oil and adding a few drops to your normal shampoo. Mix in well before use.

Some people prefer to make an herbal tea with rosemary leaves to use on their scalp. They make a tea with cut up leaves and boiling water, allow the tea to cool, strain the leaves, and then use it on their scalp. You can do this once or twice a day.

You can grow rosemary in many states, provided the winters are not too severe. It’s fine with a few degrees of frost, but it’s not a plant for North Dakota. Plant in a sunny position, in a well-drained non-acidic soil. A bush should last for years, easily paying for itself.

A Warning Word

Occasionally people react badly to rosemary oil. Before using it on your scalp, dilute a little rosemary oil with olive oil, and then test a few drops on your skin. Leave for 24 hours to check that there is no adverse reaction. Stop use if it does more harm than good!

Apple Cider Vinegar has powerful antifungal, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties, making it useful for relieving an itchy scalp.
Apple Cider Vinegar has powerful antifungal, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties, making it useful for relieving an itchy scalp.

#6 Remedy: Apple Cider Vinegar

This home remedy is well worth a try if you have an itchy scalp, as it has antifungal, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties.

What to do? Dilute apple cider vinegar one to one with water before use. It is best to first rinse your hair with water, and then gently rub in the diluted apple vinegar. Leave for around 15 minutes, and then shampoo as normal. Use this home treatment twice a week for a better result.

#7 Remedy: Lavender

Lavender oil is a traditional remedy for an itchy scalp. The oil often causes irritation if it is used neat, so add about four to five drops to a tablespoon of jojoba oil or coconut oil, and then gently rub it onto the scalp. Leave for around 10 or 15 minutes, and then shampoo as normal.

© 2017 Isvaiyah

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