How to Ease an Itching Scalp

An itching scalp can drive you crazy. While the itching may be intense, scratching your head constantly in public is a social faux pas. Since a number of conditions can cause itchy scalp, determining the source of the itching is the first step to curing it. Conditions as minor as dandruff or as serious as an autoimmune disorder such as lupus can cause an itchy scalp. Dandruff, medically termed seborrheic dermatitis, is the most common cause of itchy scalp, according to the Better Medicine website.

Things You'll Need

• Medications
• Mild shampoo for dry hair
• Conditioner for dry hair

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Instructions

• 1

  Examine your scalp. If the problem is as obvious as dandruff or a parasite infection such as head lice, you can treat the problem with over-the-counter medications. If you can't visualize your scalp well, ask a good friend to take a look. Check for skin redness, inflammation, acne or other rashes that might explain the itching.

• 2

  Treat an obvious cause. For dandruff, try medicated shampoos made to treat the condition. If you find parasites or eggs called nits attached to your hair, try an over-the-counter head lice medication, wash all bedding, towels and clothing in hot water that reaches 128.3 Fahrenheit and place items that can't be cleaned in plastic sealed bags for two weeks, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends.

• 3

  Apply your detective skills if the cause of itchy scalp isn't obvious. If you recently switched to a new body wash, hair spray, gel or shampoo, the new product could be causing an allergic reaction. Stop using any product that could be the cause of the itching.

• 4

  Choose shampoo and conditioners for dry hair, if you can't see an obvious cause for your itchy scalp. Rinse your hair twice to make sure you've removed all the residue that could irritate your scalp. Don't dry your hair on high settings or use hot rollers, if possible. If the itching is severe, try cold compresses on your scalp to soothe the itching.

• 5

  Visit your doctor and have him take a look, if simple measures don't clear up the itching or if you notice an unusual rash on your scalp. You could have psoriasis, an autoimmune skin condition that causes thickened skin lesions that can appear on the scalp. You might also have discoid lupus erythematosus, an autoimmune disorder that causes scalp lesions.