Why does my head itch so much?

When, at first glance, your head begins to itch for no reason, there is cause for concern. Often the worst comes to mind, but the reasons may be completely harmless. Or, conversely, itching can be a symptom of serious diseases. Why does my head itch and what can I do about it? Everyone should know the answers to these questions in order to react in time and help themselves.

Reasons why your head itches if there are no lice

The first thing most people associate with an itchy scalp is lice. However, a person who takes care of himself and follows the rules of hygiene has a very low probability of becoming infected with these parasites. By examining yourself or asking a loved one about it, it is easy to exclude the presence of lice; their presence is detected with the naked eye or with the help of a magnifying glass. And if you are convinced that there are no parasites, it is worth considering other possible causes of itching.

Why is my scalp dry and itchy after washing?

Itching that occurs after washing your hair indicates that the composition of the shampoo is not suitable for the person. This may be due to:

1. That you are allergic to the ingredients of the shampoo, conditioner or hair rinse. This reaction often occurs if the shampoo contains sodium lauryl sulfate or sodium laureth sulfate. If this is the case, you should switch to shampoos with a more gentle composition.
2. That you are allergic to the softener or powder used to wash towels. This factor is possible if the appearance of itching coincides with testing of new products that are unfamiliar to a person. Often returning to already proven remedies leads to the disappearance of unpleasant sensations.
3. That the wrong type of shampoo was chosen. With increased dryness of the scalp, fat secretion is excessive, but has a different composition. Often in these cases, people mistakenly choose shampoo for oily hair to degrease the roots, but such products dry out the skin even more, worsening the situation. Itching, burning, and brittle hair occur.

With the appearance of irritation after hair coloring

After hair extensions or coloring, you may experience unpleasant burning and itching sensations. If your scalp itches in this case:

1. The coloring product is not suitable for a person due to an allergy to the ingredients that are included in its composition. You should abandon it, switch to products from another manufacturer, and after dyeing your head, lubricate your head with any soothing, anti-inflammatory agent (lotion, balm or decoction based on chamomile, calendula, string).
2. Hair dye contains too aggressive components that excessively dry the scalp, cause allergic reactions, and have a negative effect on the epidermis. Such irritation and itching often occur after henna. In these cases, women are advised to switch to more gentle products, such as tinting shampoos or dyes with low ammonia content.

Itchy head and hair loss

If your scalp itches and hair falls out, the reason lies in one of the following problems:

1. Vitamin deficiency often causes not only itching, but also hair loss, which results in weakening of the hair follicles and fragility.
2. The appearance of all kinds of fungal diseases and microorganisms in a child or adult (for example, ringworm) leads to the appearance of flaking on the scalp, their loss and severe itching, which is often impossible to tolerate. You cannot treat this problem yourself; it is necessary to find out the nature of the disease, because it may be part of a larger, complex disease that reduces a person's overall immunity.
3. Violation of the proper functioning of internal organs leads to a deterioration in the flow of all processes in the body, and this affects the quality of the hair, causes fragility, oiliness of the hair, and, as a result, is characterized by hair loss and itchy scalp.

With the appearance of flaking and dandruff

1. Severe itching with accompanying dandruff and increased oiliness may indicate the presence of a disease such as seborrhea of ​​the scalp (increased sebum production, flaking) or seborrheic dermatitis (flaking and red spots on the skin). These are serious diseases that are complex in nature. They are difficult to cure at home, so if you suspect seborrhea, you should definitely contact a dermatologist or trichologist.
2. Stress, nervous exhaustion, poor nutrition, weakened immunity, and hormonal imbalances in an adult often act as catalysts for the development of seborrhea. But these factors themselves can cause itching, dandruff, and mild to moderate hair loss. Even from water of increased hardness, from sweets consumed in excessive quantities, a similar problem can arise. In this case, the head itches all the time, the appearance of discomfort and itching is difficult to correlate with a specific event (for example, washing your hair, coloring).
3. The presence of dandruff, which does not accompany seborrhea, but is an independent disorder, leads to the appearance of mild and moderate itching. The reasons for the peeling of epidermal scales often lie in genetic predisposition, general health problems (for example, metabolic disorders) or are a consequence of the negative impact of external factors (for example, allergies to hair care products). Dandruff, like other diseases, needs to be treated.
4. Psoriasis is a severe autoimmune skin disease that is catalyzed by severe stress, unbalanced nutrition, and impaired immunity. It looks like flaky areas with a tendency to increase in area. When lesions appear on the scalp, severe itching and discomfort will be felt.

What to do and how to treat if your scalp itches

If you experience discomfort, itching of the head, excessive and atypical greasiness of the epidermis, lesions on the skin, pimples, you should definitely consult a dermatologist or trichologist. They will conduct all the necessary tests, determine the cause of the symptoms, the source of the problem and prescribe the appropriate treatment. However, in some cases, when it is not possible to urgently go to the hospital, and the itching is very intense, it is worth using remedies that will help improve your well-being.

Shampoos and masks for dandruff and itching

The simplest remedy to relieve the itching and burning sensation is special shampoos. Based on the symptoms, you can use remedies against:

1. dandruff (in the absence of allergies to such);
2. fungi, lichen (antifungal agents, for example, climbazole, zinc pyrithione);
3. itching of nervous or allergic etiology (lotions containing salicylic acid, tar in combination with general therapy);
4. seborrhea - medicinal masks (containing ketoconazole, tar, sulfur, salicylic acid, antibacterial substances);
5. irritations - soothing shampoos that relieve redness and inflammation (based on chamomile, string, and other herbs).

Drug treatment

Depending on the cause and nature of the disease, local treatment of itching is often supplemented with medications (they are prescribed exclusively by a doctor), which have different effects and directions:

1. for seborrhea - these are vitamins A, E, B2, antifungal drugs;
2. for increased levels of stress - remedies for nerves: sedatives, antidepressants (Alora, Novo-Passit, infusions of chamomile, motherwort);
3. for hormonal imbalances - drugs that restore the balance of male and female hormones in the human body;
4. in the presence of fungal diseases - remedies for the fungus that causes the infection;
5. for allergies - antihistamines (tavegil, suprastin, diazolin); in severe forms - corticosteroids;
6. For vitamin deficiency, vitamins A, B, and C are prescribed.

Folk remedies

The intensity of itching is reduced by the following folk remedies:

1. applesauce (apply to the scalp for 30 minutes 2-3 times a week);
2. apple cider vinegar (dilute with water in the proportion of 2 tablespoons per liter of water, rub into the itching area before washing your hair, repeat the procedure for 5-6 days);
3. onion peel (cook for 6 minutes, cool, use to rinse your hair after washing);
4. mint (2 tablespoons, pour a glass of boiling water, cool, rub into the scalp, then rinse with clean water);
5. chamomile with sage (mix them in equal proportions, steam 1 tablespoon of the mixture in a glass of boiling water, apply twenty-minute compresses to the back of the head, crown and other areas where itching is localized).

Video: what disease can cause an itchy head?

An itchy head can be a symptom of various diseases, a side effect of general disorders in the body, or a reaction to many external factors. To determine what exactly causes these sensations, you need to contact a specialist who will approach the problem comprehensively and comprehensively. However, it is always better to understand the mechanism of development of a particular disease in order to promote recovery and prevent relapse in the future. What causes itching, dandruff, seborrhea, what causes and catalyzes these processes, find out from the video below.

Itching and many accompanying troubles can be caused by a huge amount reasons. To accurately establish the source, it is best, of course, to visit a doctor, but this is where the problem arises - which specialist should I make an appointment with?! Or go to everyone in a row - an inspection is never superfluous! Let's figure out what the reasons are and which doctor should be visited.

For severe, persistent itching of the scalp Necessarily consult a doctor! Don't delay! The sooner you contact, the less consequences there will be!

Probable Causes

1. Seborrhea, dandruff

Improper functioning of the sebaceous glands leads to major hair problems. One of the very unpleasant ones is dandruff (seborrhea), accompanied by unbearable itching and damage to the skin. And also shoulders and backs covered with white scales. It is these scales that are the source of itching; they are the ones that irritate the skin.

In mild cases, dandruff can be easily treated on its own at home. It is better to treat more complex cases together with a trichologist, and approach this comprehensively and tune in to the duration of the process.

1. Dry scalp

Again, improper functioning of the sebaceous glands and some other reasons lead to dry hair and scalp. The glands are actively trying to relieve dryness and protect weakened skin from the negative effects of the environment and thereby cover the entire surface with a layer of sebum. The hair begins to get dirty quickly, a lot of dirt sticks, bacteria and microbes develop strongly. You may mistakenly suspect that you have oily skin and oily hair type. Frequently washing your hair dries out your skin even more, making cracks and scratches itchy. After washing, everything becomes fluffy and electrified, hairs split and break off.

Moisturizing masks, replenishing vitamins and microelements in the body, proper and healthy nutrition, following the rules of washing and drying, and protecting curls from the sun, wind, and frost can cope well with this problem.

1. Fungal infection

These are serious diseases that require mandatory treatment. In addition to constant frequency, plaques (lichen) also appear on the skin, which look very repulsive. It is best to undergo a course of treatment in a medical facility under the supervision of a dermatologist, but if for some reason this is not possible, then try to relieve symptoms with tea tree oil wraps and special antifungal shampoos.

1. Parasites (lice, mites...)

Another very serious lesion, which also requires mandatory and immediate treatment (you must visit a dermatologist). Most often these are lice. A louse can jump over anywhere, especially where there are large crowds of people or large groups of employees. You can detect it under a magnifying glass by carefully examining the scalp (it’s better if a doctor does this). It is not possible to detect a tick-borne infection at home.

Inspection for lice

Treatment for head lice is quite simple and does not take long. Special shampoos and some folk remedies will do the trick.

Perhaps one of the most common sources of skin itching, and all because recently an incredible number of new allergic reactions have appeared. The main ones are reactions to food. Also, many today are faced with allergies to hair care products (shampoos, balms, masks, styling products...) and decorative cosmetics. It is usually accompanied by rashes, redness, itching, and sometimes swelling.

Allergies can also occur when changing your usual hair care product. If returning to the old remedy does not solve the allergy problem, then you should contact a trichologist.

The solution to the problem is to find the allergen and, of course, eliminate it. The best place to do this is at an allergist's office.

1. Allergy to paint

This also happens quite often, especially if the artist used low-quality paint or paint containing ammonia or hydrogen peroxide. There is only one way out: be sure to control what exactly the artist paints you with and choose ammonia-free paints or tinted shampoos for coloring. In addition, it is advisable to test for allergic reactions before the procedures.

1. Allergy to powders

Washing powders and fabric softeners contain many different chemical components. Any of them can cause skin irritation, and, accordingly, allergies and itching.

The source of many different problems with the body is nervous tension, stress, depression, and neuroses. Hair and scalp are also affected. Stress can cause a change in hair type, disruption of the sebaceous glands, spasms of blood vessels, and problems with blood microcirculation. Against this background, metabolism suffers greatly and skin irritation occurs.

To relieve this irritation, first of all, you need to eliminate stressful situations and calm your nerves, take a course of sedatives (prescribed by a neurologist upon treatment), and massage the scalp and cervical spine.

1. Poor nutrition

Excessive consumption of sweets, spicy foods, coffee, smoked foods, canned food, etc. These are not very healthy foods and overeating them inevitably affects the skin: dermatitis, eczema, acne, rashes. These skin manifestations are always accompanied by itching and severe scratching of the rash. Coping with this problem is quite simple: eliminate “junk” foods for a while, drink more plain water, consume lean foods with a small amount of spices. Itching and rashes will go away quickly!

1. Wrong headdress
   

Tight and synthetic headgear often causes discomfort on the head. The debate makes the situation even worse. You want to scratch your head all at once and as quickly as possible. There is only one way out - to immediately change the headdress to a more pleasant one, made of natural material, and in addition, different hats should be worn at a certain temperature (hair care in winter) and try not to overheat the scalp, as well as not to overcool.

In addition to these main reasons, there are also secondary ones. These include:

1. disturbances in blood circulation;
2. gastrointestinal diseases;
3. passive lifestyle;
4. frequent use of hair dryers and curling irons. ;
5. overvoltage .

Of course, there are many reasons and it would take a very long time to describe each one. If your reason is not among the main ones, then it’s worth looking with a specialist for more rare ones. But it is imperative to find the reason why the scalp itches, since this can be a symptom of a serious illness, and going to the hairdresser becomes problematic.

Content:

Causes of itching on the head in women

The reason most often lies in rather banal care - be it hair dyeing or a new shampoo. However, some itchy conditions (seborrheic dermatitis, for example) most often occur on oily skin, while others, such as contact dermatitis, occur on sensitive and dry skin. But most often the reason is much simpler:

Coloring

Women are experimenting with hair color to achieve fashionable shades this season, trying in any way to get rid of last season's out-of-fashion look. Others simply paint over their gray hair. In both cases, after such procedures, itching appears - a reaction that is especially common when dyeing at home. In salons, professionals apply dye evenly to the hair, but at home, a lot of dye gets on the scalp, resulting in irritation that burns and itches.

Dry skin

Often, when we moisturize our hair, we forget about our skin. And its dryness is the result of dehydration of the sebaceous glands that produce oil, causing the head to itch. The reason for this may be too frequent (or, conversely, infrequent) hair washing:

1. Washing too often dries out the skin.
2. When you wash too infrequently, sebum accumulates, causing flaking or itching.

Natural emollients are great for protecting natural moisture. Jojoba oil is similar in composition to sebum and is an excellent natural moisturizer.

Styling products

If there is no dandruff, the cause of the itching may be hair styling products, which some women use in excess. Some gels, creams, balms, foams and sprays can accumulate on the scalp and form tiny itchy flakes.

Itching from stress

When the body is not under excessive stress, the nervous system and sensory organs function normally. Stress forces the body to activate a defensive reaction, and dissonance arises between the functioning of the nervous system and sensory organs. The result is a wide range of neural sensory symptoms. For example, a burning and itching sensation on the skin of the body, a very itchy head.

In this case, the itching itself is not dangerous and does not need to be treated. As stress subsides, this symptom decreases and eventually disappears. But reducing stress in the body often takes much longer than we think.
However, once the body has fully recovered from the overstimulation of the stress response, this burning and itching sensation on the skin will completely disappear.

Diseases

In some cases, the problem is a symptom of a more serious disease that needs to be treated with medication, having first been examined by a doctor:

1. If thick, scaly patches appear on your scalp that hurt, crack, and bleed, this is psoriasis, a chronic autoimmune disease.
2. If, along with itching, hair falls out or breaks, there is liquid discharge that dries into a crust or even pus - this is most likely a staphylococcal infection.

Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a common disease accompanied by redness and peeling of the skin. Usually with psoriasis the scalar is much thicker and more pronounced than with dandruff. It often requires prescription medications to control it.

In this case, shampoos containing coal tar or salicylic acid with mineral oils are suitable to help soften and remove flakes. Dermatologists often prescribe topical steroid medications—liquids or foams that dry quickly and don't tend to weigh down the hair, and can be very helpful in combating dryness, itching, flaking, irritation, or rashes.

Inflammation of hair follicles

Inflammation of the hair follicles or bacterial infection of the scalp can also cause itching, often leading to serious scalp conditions. In this case, doctors advise using natural, organic products to avoid potential allergies to ingredients that could aggravate the problem.

Pediculosis

Diagnosis of lice is perhaps the simplest. It is not difficult to detect the presence of parasites. And it all starts with a rather characteristic itch. In this case, you can choose an over-the-counter medicated shampoo aimed at soothing the skin and getting rid of parasites.

It is best to consult a doctor, but if you decide to choose your own shampoo, then if you have sensitive skin or allergies, look for a remedy that is hypoallergenic and not too aggressive.
Keep in mind that head lice can transfer to bedding and other household items, so regular and thorough cleaning and washing is recommended to completely eradicate the problem and prevent re-infestation.

Scalp irritation, itching, flaking and redness: seborrhea

Dandruff is the main culprit of irritation, accompanied by itching, flaking and redness of the scalp. It is caused by many things, including overproduction of oil or other secretions, as well as overgrowth of yeast, which usually lives on the scalp and other hairy areas. The yeast overgrows and feeds on dead skin cells and oils, leading to itching and flaking.





Seborrheic dermatitis is a common cause of dandruff. Skin oil blocks dead cells that stick together. Hence the scales along the entire length of the hair.
According to doctors, seborrheic dermatitis most often occurs in three phases of life:

1. The first three months after birth, when the activity of the sebaceous glands is temporarily high due to the effects of prolonged hormones in the mother after birth.
2. During puberty, when the activity of the sebaceous glands is high due to a new influx of hormones.
3. In women after 50 years of age, this is when the activity of the sebaceous glands begins to decline.

In this case, dandruff is not curable, but there are several ways to control it. Products containing zinc pyrithione or selenium sulfide are often the most beneficial, such as Clear Complete Scalp Care anti-dandruff shampoo or the well-known Head & Shoulders.

Many women also report relief from symptoms after some home treatments. Doctors advise using coconut oil: rubbed into the scalp at night, it perfectly relieves itching and irritation.

To properly control dandruff, you need to eliminate the fungal component without causing more irritation and redness.

1. For mild cases, it is best to use an over-the-counter shampoo that contains selenium, zinc pyrithione, or tea tree oil—they help control the yeast infection.
2. If there is no itching, but only flaking and redness, try shampoo with salicylic acid.
3. More persistent cases may require a prescription antifungal shampoo or cortisone foam, or, in particularly severe cases, antifungal tablets.

The right shampoo against itching and flaking of the scalp

Severe and persistent itching on the scalp is associated with several different problems, so choosing the best shampoo for treatment should begin with determining the cause. This will give you a starting point when shopping for the product you need. In addition, shampoos for the care of itchy skin are available in various formulas, so you need to carefully read the labels before purchasing, having first determined your skin type.

You or a medical professional can determine the cause of itching by looking at signs that are typical for a particular problem. However, if the itching is accompanied by other symptoms (severe peeling, the appearance of a crust on the head, bleeding, etc.), then it is better to immediately consult a doctor and not self-medicate.

Improper care

Since itching is sometimes associated with skin problems caused by improper care, it is recommended to choose a shampoo based on your hair type. Dry scalp should be treated with a shampoo that can moisturize the skin and hair. Replacing your regular shampoo with a moisturizing one can be a simple solution to relieve symptoms. A moisturizing conditioner can also help relieve itching caused by dry skin.

Insufficient hygiene

Poor hygiene can also lead to itching and if this is the cause, the solution is simple - regularly cleanse your hair and skin with a suitable shampoo to avoid itching caused by dirt and sebaceous gland secretions. If you have oily hair, you can use shampoo daily to maintain proper conditioning. Normal to dry hair usually requires washing every other day to maintain cleanliness.

The most serious causes are contact dermatitis and dandruff, also known as seborrheic dermatitis or simply seborrhea. Only a medical specialist can correctly diagnose and recommend the necessary treatment. In addition, head lice, dry scalp and poor hygiene can also lead to itching and even severe flaking of the skin.

Shampoos for seborrhea

If you know why your head itches very much, and the reason for this is dermatitis, special medicated shampoos will help you effectively cope with the problem. Severe cases of the worst may require the use of prescription shampoos, which can only be prescribed by a doctor. Choosing this type of shampoo for itchy skin is recommended only for the most advanced scalp problems:

1. Shampoos containing selenium sulfide. This antifungal agent targets a specific yeast - Pityrosporum ovale. Reduces dandruff on the scalp and relieves irritation and itching. Shampoos on the market containing this ingredient include Selsun Blue and Head & Shoulders Clinical.

Shampoos containing pyrithione zinc, which has both antimicrobial and antifungal properties. Helps cope with inflammation and itching. Pharmacies sell over-the-counter medications that range in strength from 1 to 2 percent, such as Mountain Falls.

Shampoos containing salicylic acid. Salicylic acid has not been as well studied for seborrheic dermatitis as other ingredients. It is believed to be effective in combination with other treatments.
Salicylic acid is the active ingredient in Neutrogena T/Sal Therapeutic, a shampoo specifically formulated to combat the buildup of dead skin cells on the scalp.

Shampoos containing ketoconazole. This ingredient has been well studied for the treatment of dandruff and related conditions. It prevents the growth of fungus and has a mild anti-inflammatory effect. Present in Nizoral anti-dandruff shampoo.

Once the initial severe symptoms pass, seborrheic dermatitis can be managed by using ketoconazole shampoos only once or twice a week.
Ketoconazole is considered safe. Studies have not shown that it irritates the skin or causes other side effects.

The best diet for an itchy scalp

To combat dry skin in general (including on the head!), you need a balanced diet:

1. Omega-3 fatty acids, found in fish, flax seeds and some nuts, are known to help the body fight dry skin (as well as fatigue, moodiness and poor memory). Introducing more foods with omega-3 fatty acids (or fish oil supplements) will also help against itchy dryness.

Zinc is another assistant in the restoration of skin tissue, including on the head. Seafood, meat, poultry, nuts and whole grains are excellent sources. Pharmacies also sell supplements.

Vitamin A is another key element in the overall health of human skin. It supports blood circulation and the immune system. Good sources of vitamin A include eggs, butter, and orange and yellow fruits and vegetables.

Vitamin B supports healthy skin cell production. Sources include meat, poultry, greens, beans and whole grains.

Vitamin C promotes collagen production in the skin, keeping skin hydrated and healthy. Present in abundance in spinach, Brussels sprouts, kiwi, strawberries and citrus fruits.