Dry and itchy scalp: Symptoms, causes and solutions

A dry and itchy scalp is embarrassing, irritating and can often cause discomfort. Many people experience skin irregularities on their scalp, and there are various causes – both internal and external. Understanding the causes and the knowing about the solutions is the first step towards improving and stabilising skin conditions.

WHAT IS IT?

WHAT IS A DRY AND ITCHY SCALP?

When your scalp’s natural moisture balance is disturbed, an itchy, dry scalp can be the result. A dry and itchy scalp can be associated with ageing or skin conditions such as Atopic Dermatitis or Psoriasis, and its symptoms can range from very mild to extreme.

If the itchiness causes you to scratch, your scalp may become inflamed.

MAJOR CAUSES

MAJOR CAUSES OF A DRY AND ITCHY SCALP

Internal factors that can cause a dry and itchy scalp include:

Skin conditions such as Atopic Dermatitis or Psoriasis
Age – the older you get, the dryer your skin becomes
Physical or emotional stress
Genetic factors
Hormonal changes

External factors that can cause a dry, itchy scalp include:

Changes in temperature or seasons
Lifestyle factors, such as poor diet or smoking
Certain medications
Environmental pollution
Cosmetic shampoos, soaps and hair treatments

Once your scalp’s natural moisture is lost, its protective layer can become compromised. This can allow harmful substances to easily penetrate the skin, leading to microinflammations of the scalp. These microinflammations can cause your scalp to become even more irritated – leading to itching, redness, and a sensation of tautness.

1. Moisture is lost, causing dryness 2. Microinflammations cause further irritation 3. Scalp becomes itchy

Microinfoammations and your scalp

What are microinflammations? They’re mild inflammations of the skin. They’re so mild, in fact, that even clinical testing won’t pick them up. But if we study skin tissue encountering microinflammations, we can detect the presence of inflammatory immune cells – in other words, the skin is responding to irritation with inflammation and thereby attempting to repair itself. If these skin cells are then subjected to further irritation, the skin can flip into a “true” inflammatory response.

1. Healthy skin 2. Microinflammation 3. Inflammation (Erythem)

How are they related to scalp conditions? There’s growing evidence that microinflammations of the scalp are involved in most common scalp disorders – from thinning hair and dandruff, to scalp dryness, itchiness and sensitivity.

If you experience sudden hair loss or brittle hair, you may have an underlying health problem such as thyroid disease, iron deficiency, or an autoimmune disease. Some medications can also cause hair loss. Contact a dermatologist in all instances to get further information.

COMMON MYTHS

Vinegars, natural oils, and even athlete’s foot spray are among the remedies that have been claimed to treat an itchy and dry scalp. But there is no evidence to support these remedies.