How to Stop Scratching Your Scalp (and Put an End to the Itchiness!)

Dealing with an itchy scalp can be incredibly annoying, and uncomfortable. No one wants to spend their time focused on that ‘itching’ feeling, especially if you’re unable to sleep at night. More importantly, however, no one wants to be scratching at their scalp all the time. If you find yourself with an itchy scalp, it’s important to understand the possible causes behind it.

Once you know the causes, it’s easier to determine how to treat it. Once you know how to stop scratching your scalp, you can adjust your treatment based on your needs.

Let’s take a closer look at several common causes of an itchy scalp. They can be different for everyone, and it’s important to know that other factors are not on this list. If your itchiness doesn’t come from any of these common factors, see your doctor about other possibilities. The sooner you figure out why you can’t stop scratching, the sooner you can put an end to the itchiness!

Common Reasons Why You Can’t Stop Itching Your Scalp

Again, there are plenty of reasons that come into play when looking at an itchy scalp. Below, you’ll find some of the most common ones. Some of them are fairly similar and could be linked together. However, if you don’t feel as though any of those listed are your problem, don’t worry. It could be a variety of different things. And scratching your head too much can cause further damage.

However, these common issues are a good place to start. If you have any of the following conditions, it could be precisely what’s causing you to scratch your scalp. Let’s take a closer look at how they affect your body, your head, and the scratching symptoms that come with them.

Dandruff

Many people assume that dandruff is nothing more than the result of an itchy scalp. It’s a ‘what came first, the chicken or the egg?’ scenario when it comes to dandruff. Yes, if you scratch your scalp and you have dandruff, you’re likely to notice the flakes shedding off onto your clothes, neck, etc.

However, that means you have dandruff, and this is what causes the itchiness. When flakes of skin build up on your scalp, it can cause itchiness. To relieve that itch, we scratch, and the flakes fall. Dandruff is usually caused by either a buildup of grease on the scalp or a dry scalp. Both of these situations are also ‘scratching’ factors.

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Greasy Scalp

You might think a greasy scalp would prevent itchiness. More moisture, less itching, right? Unfortunately, that’s not always the case. A greasy scalp is usually made up of the natural oils from your skin, as well as external components, like dirt. If you produce too much of these things, they can cause a build up on your scalp.

This build-up can cause your body to fight back against it, which can create dandruff, as suggested above. As a result, you’re likely to experience an itching sensation. Simply put? Wetter isn’t always better when it comes to the overall health of your scalp.

Dry Scalp

A dry scalp might be more familiar to people when it comes to itchiness. It is caused by a lack of moisture, usually from weather conditions, products, or just the amount of natural oils your body produces. It can lead to somewhat of a cycle since you want to scratch your head, which just makes the overall dryness even worse. As you might be able to tell, now, there is a fine balance of hydration for a healthy scalp.

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Hair Products

Hair products are often a significant factor with itchy scalps. Many of them contain chemicals that can strip your hair and scalp of their natural oils. They can also cause damage to the hair and scalp, depending on the types of chemicals used. People who dye their hair often are prone to an itchy scalp. Those who use powerful, salon-based treatments frequently are also at risk.

How to Treat an Itchy Scalp – And Stop Scratching, Too!

The good news in all of this is that for most of the common causes of an itchy scalp, there are treatment options. First, it’s important to recognize the cause so that you can utilize the right treatment. Let’s go through some of those common causes again, so you know how to stop scratching your scalp with the right solutions to each particular problem.

Dealing with Dandruff

As stated above, dandruff is usually a result of either a dry or greasy scalp. Once you pinpoint which of those problems affects you, you can find the right solution. First and foremost, seek out dandruff-preventative products. There are plenty of shampoos and conditioners on the market that works to reduce flaking.

Treating a Greasy, or Dry Scalp

A greasy scalp can be a result of your body’s natural oil production, as well as outside factors like sweat and dirt. You can fight back against it by switching up the products you use. If you do have an intensely oily scalp, using a milder scalp shampoo can help to keep it at bay.

On the other hand, a dry scalp should focus on hydration. You can start with a hydrating shampoo. However, you may need to look further into your treatment. A deep oil massage, deep conditioning, or even an apple cider vinegar rinse can help with a dry scalp.

Your scalp has a pH balance it needs to stay at, to be healthy and flake-free. Finding that balance with the right products and lifestyle can help to stop the scratching.

Choosing the Right Hair Products

Choosing hair products that are specific to your condition is the best way to fight back against an itchy scalp. If possible, always choose mild products. More and more companies are starting to turn toward more natural ingredients in their hair care products. Why? People are demanding it, thanks to the rise of scalp-related issues. Natural ingredients have a much softer way of dealing with your hair and scalp. There is no reason you can’t have the ‘look’ you want, and still, use a product that is good for the overall health of your scalp.

Natural Remedies

There are plenty of natural home remedies that can help to relieve an itchy scalp. Tea tree oil is probably the most popular solution. It can help to fight against a possible scalp infection, thanks to its antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties. Tea tree oil also works by penetrating the scalp itself.

This helps with irritation and pain relief. Just take a few drops of the oil and apply it onto your scalp before you go to bed each night. It’s a treatment you can use every single day to ensure the health of your hair, and scalp.

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Stop Scratching Your Scalp for Good

If you find that you’re prone to flaking, dandruff, or just an itchy scalp, there’s a good chance the cause behind it was something touched on in this article. Thankfully, there are plenty of simple solutions to treat it. Knowing how to stop scratching your scalp with the right treatment options can provide comfort, and relieve irritation (and embarrassment!) quickly.