How to Get Rid of Itchy Scalp: Top 6 Home Remedies

Imagine being in the middle of a conference and you are desperately trying to ignore the urge to itch your scalp.

If the scenario sounds familiar, then you surely know how nagging it can be to have an itchy scalp, especially when you are in a public place. If you're wondering how to get rid of an itchy scalp, then first you need to know what causes it.

The most common cause of an itchy scalp is dandruff, which can be brought on by conditions like dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis, and fungal or viral infections.

You can also have an itchy scalp due to poor hair hygiene, dry scalp, ringworm, head lice, an unhealthy diet, anxiety and sometimes due to an autoimmune disease.

Without proper and timely care, it can lead to hair loss or baldness, acne, inflammation on the scalp, and open wounds due to constant scratching.

An anti-dandruff shampoo may seem to be the quickest and easiest way to get rid of an itchy scalp. However, these shampoos can contain harsh chemicals and only control the symptoms but not treat the underlying cause. (1) As a result, welcome back itchy scalp!

So, the situation is still in your hands. Fortunately, there are a number of natural ingredients that can come to your aid in getting rid of an itchy scalp for good.

Home Remedies to Soothe an Itchy Scalp

Read on to learn how to get rid of your itchy scalp using some effective home remedies.

Method 1: Use Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil has been used for centuries to address scalp-related troubles. It is a potent oil due to its antibacterial and antifungal properties that can effectively kill the bacteria or fungus that may be causing your itchy scalp.

It also eliminates head lice and helps unclog hair follicles as well. (2)(3) You can either mix it in your regular shampoo or add it to olive oil and massage your scalp with it.

# Mixed in Shampoo

Things you’ll need:

• Any mild shampoo (cleansing agent to the scalp) – 1 tablespoon
• Tea tree oil (an antibacterial and antifungal agent) – 2 or 3 drops

Single-Step-Treatment: Add tea tree oil to your shampoo and wash hair with it

• Mix 2 or 3 drops of tea tree essential oil into 1 tablespoon of any mild shampoo.
• Use the mix like your regular shampoo, then rinse your hair with water.
• Use it daily for 1 week to get relief from an itchy scalp.

# Mixed in Olive Oil

Things you’ll need:

• Extra-virgin olive oil (nourishing agent) – 1 tablespoon
• Tea tree oil (an antibacterial and antifungal agent) – 2 or 3 drops

Single-Step-Treatment: Add tea tree oil to olive oil and apply the oil blend

• Mix 2 or 3 drops of tea tree essential oil into 1 tablespoon of extra-virgin olive oil.
• Apply the oil blend on your scalp, focusing on the dry and itchy areas.
• Massage your scalp gently.
• Let the oil sit on your scalp for at least 30 minutes, preferably overnight.
• Wash it out with your regular shampoo, followed with a conditioner.
• Repeat 2 or 3 times a week for 1 to 2 weeks to get complete relief. You may notice improvement just after the first couple of applications.

Method 2: Use Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar is popular for its myriad health and beauty benefits, especially hair and skin care. It is very effective in relieving an itchy scalp.

Its acidic nature creates a hostile environment for bacteria or fungi to call your scalp home. It also restores the pH balance of your scalp and reduces itching. (4)(5)

Step 1. Dilute the apple cider vinegar with water

• Pour ½ cup of apple cider vinegar into a pitcher.
• Add an equal amount of water to the pitcher.
• Mix the ingredients well.

Step 2. Apply the solution on your scalp twice a week

• Rinse your hair with water and let it dry completely.
• Apply the diluted vinegar onto your scalp using a cotton ball. You can also transfer the solution to a spray bottle and squirt it generously on your scalp and hair.
• Massage your scalp for 1 to 2 minutes.
• Cover your hair with a shower cap and leave it on for 15 to 20 minutes.
• Wash your hair with your regular shampoo and apply a conditioner.
• Do it twice a week for 2 to 3 weeks and watch your scalp problems fade away. You may start noticing improvement within the first week itself.

Method 3: Use Coconut Oil with Lavender Oil

Coconut oil helps soothe the scalp and reduce itching. At the same time, its antibacterial properties will kill bacteria or other troublesome fungal infections.

It also acts as a barrier to protect the natural oils of your hair and scalp that can wash away with frequent shampooing. (6)(7)

Things you’ll need:

• Coconut oil (nourishing agent) – 1 tablespoon
• Lavender essential oil (an antibacterial and antifungal agent) – 2 or 3 drops

Single-Step Treatment: Add lavender oil to coconut oil and apply the blend

• Mix 2 or 3 drops of lavender essential oil into 1 tablespoon of coconut oil.
• Apply the oil blend on your scalp.
• Cover your hair with a towel or shower cap, and let the oils work on your scalp for at least 20 minutes.
• Shampoo and condition your hair as you normally would.
• Use it twice a week for 3 to 4 weeks and say bye-bye to your itchy scalp! Coconut and lavender should ease the symptoms with just a couple of applications.

Method 4: Use Aloe Vera

Aloe vera has a cooling effect on your scalp that can reduce the itchiness. It also helps rebalance your scalp’s pH level that could be the cause of the itchy scalp. It is antibacterial and antifungal in nature. (8)(9)

Plus, it is a natural conditioner that will leave your hair silky soft.

Things you’ll need:

• Aloe vera gel (nourishing and healing agent) – 1 tablespoon
• Lavender essential oil (an antibacterial and antifungal agent) – 2 or 3 drops

Single-Step Treatment: Add lavender oil to aloe vera gel and apply on itchy spots

• Add 2 or 3 drops of lavender oil to 1 tablespoon of aloe vera gel.
• Mix the ingredients well.
• You can either target the itchy spots or apply the mix to your entire scalp.
• Massage gently in circular motions for 1 to 2 minutes to let the scalp absorb the gel.
• Leave it on for 20 minutes or overnight.
• Wash it out with a regular shampoo.
• Use it 3 times a week for 2 to 3 weeks to get relief.

Method 5: Use Lemon Juice

Lemon juice is another common household item that helps cure an itchy and dry scalp. It is particularly effective in reducing itching due to dandruff. (10)(11)

Single-Step Treatment: Apply fresh lemon juice on your scalp daily

• Use a hair dye brush to apply lemon juice evenly on your scalp. If you have a sensitive scalp, applying lemon juice can sting. You may wish to dilute the lemon juice with water before applying it on your scalp.
• Leave it on your scalp for 5 minutes, then rinse it out with water.
• Apply three times a week for 1 to 2 weeks to get relief.

Alternatively, you can mix equal amounts of lemon juice and yogurt. Apply it on your scalp before washing it out with a mild shampoo.

Method 6: Use Olive Oil

Olive oil is a rich source of vitamin E that helps keep your hair moisturized and treat a dry and itchy scalp. Its antibacterial properties also help fight against scalp troubles.

Plus, olive oil is rich in antioxidants that ensure the well-being of your scalp and hair, thus promoting hair growth. (12)

Single-Step Treatment: Apply olive oil on your scalp twice a week

• Massage the olive oil onto your scalp.
• Leave it on overnight. You can cover your head with a shower cap to prevent staining your pillow.
• Wash it out with your regular shampoo in the morning.
• Use a conditioner after shampooing your hair.
• Use it twice a week, and it will bring you relief within 2 to 3 weeks.

Tips to get relief from an itchy scalp

• Massage your scalp regularly with jojoba oil, as its chemical structure is quite similar to the natural oil of your hair. This makes it a natural option to reduce dryness of your scalp.
• You can also make a paste with baking soda and water and apply it onto your scalp. Let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes, then rinse it out with water. Its alkaline nature helps restore the pH level of your scalp.
• Avoid frequent use of chemical-based products, as they can strip your hair and scalp of its natural oils and lead to a dry and itchy scalp.
• Reduce your intake of foods like sugar, gluten, and dairy products. Avoid consuming alcohol, too.
• Comb your hair 2 or 3 times a day to evenly distribute the natural oils of your scalp and increase the blood circulation in the scalp. This practice leads to a healthy scalp and hair.

Resources:

1. D'Souza P, Rathi SK. Shampoo and Conditioners: What a Dermatologist Should Know? Indian Journal of Dermatology. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4458934/. Published 2015.
2. Tea Tree Oil Shampoo in the Treatment of Dandruff. AAFP Home. https://www.aafp.org/afp/2003/0501/p1985.html. Published May 1, 2003.
3. Satchell AC, Saurajen A, Bell C, Barnetson RS. Treatment of dandruff with 5% tea tree oil shampoo. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12451368. Published December 2002.
4. Yagnik D, Serafin V, Shah AJ. Antimicrobial activity of apple cider vinegar against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Candida albicans; downregulating cytokine and microbial protein expression. Scientific Report. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5788933/. Published January 29, 2018.
5. Manohar J, P. G. Antifungal activity of apple cider vinegar against clinical isolates of candida species. International Journal of Current Research. https://www.journalcra.com/article/antifungal-activity-apple-cider-vinegar-against-clinical-isolates-candida-species.
6. Gupta A, Malav A, Singh A. COCONUT OIL: THE HEALTHIEST OIL ON EARTH. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES AND RESEARCH. http://ijpsr.com/bft-article/coconut-oil-the-healthiest-oil-on-earth/?view=fulltext. Published 2017.
7. Hay IC, Jamieson M, Ormerod AD. Randomized trial of aromatherapy. Successful treatment for alopecia areata. Archives of Dermatology. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9828867. Published November 1998.
8. Qadir MI. Medicinal and cosmetological importance of Aloe vera. Medicinal and Cosmetological Importance of Aloe vera . https://www.researchgate.net/publication/233818204. Published 2009.
9. Vardy DA, Cohen A, Medvedovsky E. A double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of an Aloe vera (A. barbadensis) emulsion in the treatment of seborrheic dermatitis. Journal of Dermatological Treatment. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/232077973. Published July 2009.
10. J OC, S OI, Okafor Ugochukwu C OU. Comparison Of Anti-Dandruff Activity Of Synthetic Shampoos And Crude Plant Extracts On Dandruff Causing Isolates. IOSR Journal of Biotechnology and Biochemistry. http://www.academia.edu/36886776/Comparison_Of_Anti-Dandruff_Activity_Of_Synthetic_Shampoos_And_Crude_Plant_Extracts_On_Dandruff_Causing_Isolates. Published 2018.
11. Kumar S. Analysis on the Natural Remedies to Cure Dandruff/Skin Disease-causing Fungus - Malassezia furfur. Research Gate. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/261071142. Published January 2013.
12. Hornby SB, Appa Y, Ruetsch S, Kamath Y. Mapping penetration of cosmetic compounds into hair fibers using time‐of‐flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (TOF‐SIMS). International Journal of Cosmetic Science International Journal of Cosmetic Science. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.0142-5463.2005.00278_3.x. Published September 13, 2005.

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