Itchy scalp can be a real problem for anyone. The urge to scratch your head often is irritating and can be even embarrassing when in public. Moreover, scratching does not actually help the itch, rather the discomfort just continues to linger. During winter, when the dryness in air is extreme, the condition becomes even worst. Rigorous scratching of scalp, particularly if you have long nails, can be damaging for the scalp itself, causing other scalp issues. The other scalp problem which is very commonly associated with itchy scalp is flaking and often the reason for an itchy, flaky scalp is scalp dryness. Apart from scalp dryness, bacterial or fungal infection, dandruff or sebaceous cysts can also work as the cause of an itchy and flaky scalp.
Dry, itchy and flaky scalp, all are symptoms of an unhealthy scalp and it can lead to excessive hair fall and even balding over time. So, treating the dry, itchy, flaky scalp at the earliest is important. The good news is that you need not to spend a lot of money in hair salons for treating these scalp conditions; they can be treated effectively right at home with simple ingredients that are easy to find in any home. However, keep in mind that the home remedies are natural, side-effect free ways to fight these scalp problems and you need to use them religiously to get the best effects. Read on to know about the most effective home remedies for dry, itchy and flaky scalp,
Lemon juice
Lemon juice can be a very easy and effective remedy for treating itchy and flaky scalp. Just squeeze out some fresh lemon juice and massage it thoroughly yet lightly onto your scalp. Leave on for 15 minutes and then wash off with water. Keep in mind that to get the best results you need to repeat the treatment daily before going to bath. Once the problem subsides you can take the treatment once in every alternate day for continued effects.
Apple Cider Vinegar
The same ACV you use for dressing the salads can be effectively used to fight the problem of itchy and flaky scalp. Prepare a solution by mixing half ACV and half water. Now massage in this solution onto your scalp. You can also use a spray bottle to ensure that the solution is actually able to get to the scalp. Leave on for 15 minutes and then wash off with water. Repeat on alternate days.
Aloe vera
Scalp dryness is often the reason of itchy and flaky scalp and the best home remedy to treat it is Aloe Vera. Aloe Vera has natural moisturizing properties as well as it is soothing for the skin. Take some fresh Aloe Vera pulp and massage it directly onto your scalp. Leave on for 40-45 minutes and then wash off with water. You do not need to use a shampoo. Start using daily and then reduce the frequency as the problems recede.
Ginger juice
Ginger is the other home treatment that can effectively control problems like itchy and flaky scalp caused due to dandruff or scalp infection. Prepare some fresh ginger juice and massage it onto your scalp. Leave on for 30 minutes and then wash off. You can repeat this treatment twice in a week or more according to your scalp condition.
Tea tree oil
One of the sure shot remedies of dry, itchy and flaky scalp is tea tree oil. Tea tree oil has natural antibacterial properties and it can actually cure the problems of an itchy and flaky scalp irrespective of its reason. Mix 4-5 drops of tea tree oil in 12-15 drops of any carrier oil of your choice and massage it thoroughly onto your scalp before going to bed at night. Wash off with a mild hair cleanser in the morning. Repeat twice or more times a week depending on your scalp condition.
Rosemary oil
Rosemary essential oil can also be highly effective in treating dry, flaky and itchy scalp. Rosemary is considered as a natural hair tonic and it can ensure the best health of the scalp. Mix 10-12 drops of rosemary essential oil in 10-12 drops of evening primrose carrier oil or any other. Massage this oil mixture onto your scalp and hairs before going to bed at night and wash off with a cleanser in the morning.
Curd and honey
Curd and honey makes the other natural yet very effective remedy for treating dry, itchy and flaky scalp. Mix 2 spoons of honey in 2 tablespoons of sour curd, preferably prepared at home. Apply this mixture onto your scalp and hairs, leave on for 45 minutes to an hour and wash off with a mild cleanser. Both curd and honey has natural moisturizing and hence can be very effective to treat scalp conditions like dryness, itching and flaking.
Lemon juice and honey
Lemon juice and honey can also work wonders on dry, itchy and flaky scalp. Mix 1 spoon of freshly prepared lemon juice in 2 tablespoon of honey and massage your scalp with this mixture. Let it set for 30-40 minutes and then wash off with a mild cleanser. Repeat on alternate days for best results.
Thyme concoction
Thyme can treat scalp dryness coupled with itching and flaking, effectively. Boil 2 tablespoon of dried thyme leaves in 1 cup of water till the water gets half. Now strain the leaves and let the concoction cool down. Massage this concoction onto your scalp, leave on for 30-40 minutes and then wash off with water.
Green tea with honey
Green tea can also work effectively to cure scalp dryness and itching. Green tea has a bunch of antioxidants as well as natural anti-bacterial properties. Honey cures the dryness of scalp. Prepare a strong concoction of green tea and mix 2 spoons of honey into it. Massage the mixture onto your scalp, leave on for 30-40 minutes and then wash off with a mild cleanser.
Egg white and yogurt
If dryness is the primary problem of your scalp which is making it itchy and flaky, try out this treatment to get quick results. Take the white of an egg and add 1 tablespoon of curd into it. You can also add 4-5 drops of lemon juice in the mixture. Apply this pack onto your scalp and leave on for 45 minutes to an hour before washing off with a mild cleanser. Use this treatment twice a week.
Neem and basil leaves
Often, fungal or bacterial infection of the scalp work as the primary cause behind dry, itchy and flaky scalp. A remedy made from neem and basil leaves can be very effective to treat this kind of scalp issues. Soak 15-20 neem and 10-15 basil leaves in 1 cup of fresh water over night. In the morning grind the leaves to make a paste and apply this paste onto your scalp. Leave on for 30-40 minutes and then wash off.
Coconut oil
For any kind of scalp or hair problems coconut oil can be a ready remedy. To treat dry, itchy and flaky scalp you can simply massage some coconut oil onto your scalp and hairs before going to bed at night and wash off with a mild cleanser in the morning. For effective results, follow it everyday or on alternate days.
Baking soda
Baking soda can work as an effective scalp exfoliator, removing any dry and flaky skin that might be preventing the oils from seeping in properly. In addition to that, baking soda can also fight any fungal infection effectively. Make a thick paste of baking soda by mixing water with it. Rub your wet scalp with this paste and let it set for 2-3 minutes before washing off thoroughly with water. You can use this treatment a maximum of 2 times a week to start with.
Banana and onion juice
Banana has effective moisturizing properties and onion juice can effectively fight any scalp infection while invigorating the hair roots. Mix one over ripe banana with the freshly prepared juice of 1 medium sized lemon. Make sure that there are no chunks in the pack. Massage this pack onto your scalp and then apply thoroughly. Let it set for 50 minutes to an hour and then wash off with a mild cleanser.
Olive oil and curry leaves
Olive oil can cure scalp dryness and the curry leaves can work effectively to cure the flaking and itching. Boil 10-15 fresh curry leaves in 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Strain the leaves and use the oil, while it is still warm, to massage your scalp. Take this treatment at night and in the morning wash off with a mild cleanser. You can take this treatment on every alternate days to get the best results.
Some important tips
While it is really necessary to moisturize your scalp properly to fight the itchy feeling, it is also important to keep your scalp and hairs really clean, so that there is no recurrence of the condition. Maintaining the best hygiene for your scalp and hairs combined with the healthy and nourishing hair packs mentioned above can actually be effective to give you total rid of the itchy flaky scalp. Here are some tips that you need to maintain along with using some of the above treatments to ensure that the condition does not return,
- Stop touching your hairs with dirty hands. Often the source of maximum dirt in our hairs is nothing but our own hands, so check this habit. Make it a point to touch your hairs and scalp only after you have washed your hands clean.
- Your bathing towel can also work as a ready source of scalp problems like itching and flaking if you do not keep it really clean. So, wash the bathing towel every alternate day and ensure that it is dried properly every time under sun light. Also change your towel frequently and do not to share it with any one.
- Your pillow cover and pillow towel can also work as a source for scalp infection like itching and flaking if not cleaned regularly. So, change your pillow towel and pillow cover everyday to ensure that they are actually clean and will not work as a source for recurrence of the scalp conditions.
- Your comb is the other thing that you need to take care of. No matter how religiously you follow the above remedies and how many times you seem to be getting rid of the scalp conditions, they will always continue to recur if you use a not so clean comb or hair brush on your hairs. Make it a point to clean your hair brush everyday with an anti-dandruff shampoo and water to get the best results.
