Do you have an itchy scalp? Itching can cause extreme misery for the sufferer, however, many causes of itchiness can be solved with simple remedies. There are many reasons why the scalp or skin may be irritated. So before you seek a dermatologist's help, ask yourself the following:
Are you using a shampoo made from detergents like sodium lauryl sulfate or sodium laureth sulfate?
Although these detergents lather wonderfully they can dry your scalp out to the point of being extremely itchy. Consider switching to a natural shampoo made from gentle surfactants (cleansers) such as
Northwest Scents shampoo.
Is your water making your scalp itch?
If you live in an area with hard water (water that contains more minerals that it should), if your water has chlorine in it, or if you live in a building with old pipes, the water may be leaving a residue in your hair that causes your scalp to itch. To solve this problem, when you are finished washing your hair, give it a final rinse with distilled water. You can buy distilled water at your local grocery store. Distilled water is water that has had all of the minerals removed from it. You can also try using a shower filter to reduce impurities in your water.
Are you suffering from allergic reactions to one or more food items?
Commercially prepared foods contain many different ingredients which can sometimes cause allergic reactions. Those allergic reactions could be the cause of your itchy scalp. Take note of when your scalp itches and see if it coincides with when you are eating foods which you might be sensitive to. Try changing your diet by eliminating one food item at a time to see if this helps.
Are your hairstyles too tight?
Sometimes putting extra tension on your scalp with tight braids or extensions that pull on your scalp will cause your scalp to be itchy. Try going without these for a while to give your scalp some fresh air. While your scalp is enjoying the break, give it a nice gentle massage with a natural hair oil like
Northwest Scents hair oil.
