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Various home and natural remedies can help relieve an itchy scalp. These include essential oils, colloidal oatmeal, over-the-counter (OTC) products, and medicated shampoos.
Dandruff, psoriasis, eczema, and head lice are common causes of an itchy scalp, also known as or scalp pruritus.
This article discusses some natural and home treatments, along with the causes of an itchy scalp.
Applying warm olive oil to the scalp can help soften and loosen itchy crusts and scales on the surface of the skin.
Warm up the olive oil in the hands before applying it to the scalp, and massage it into the skin.
Leave the olive oil on the scalp for several hours before washing it out using a medicated shampoo such as coal tar or salicylic acid.
Some antidandruff shampoos contain a natural ingredient called colloidal oatmeal. Colloidal oatmeal is finely ground oatmeal dissolved in water.
The solution forms a protective film over the surface of the skin, which helps lock in moisture and prevent dryness and flaking.
Colloidal oatmeal also has renowned antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, both of which help alleviate skin irritation.
People can make their own colloidal oatmeal at home. To make colloidal oatmeal solution:
- wrap a handful of oats in a muslin cloth
- hold the cloth beneath a tap of running lukewarm water, collecting the water runoff in a jug
- pour the oatmeal water gently and evenly over the scalp
People can also find colloidal oatmeal in health stores and online.
Apple cider vinegar contains high levels of a natural substance called acetic acid. People have used this acid as a wound disinfectant for thousands of years due to its antibacterial and antifungal properties.
Apple cider vinegar may be particularly effective in relieving psoriasis-related scalp itch. The National Psoriasis Foundation say that some people dilute the vinegar in water using a ratio of 1 part vinegar to 1 part water. Wash it out with warm water after a few minutes or after it has dried.
Vinegar can cause a burning sensation when applied to the skin, especially cracked or blistered skin. People with open wounds on the scalp should avoid this treatment. Apple cider vinegar can cause chemical burns, so be careful if attempting this remedy.
Peppermint oil contains a high concentration of a natural substance called menthol. Menthol has a cooling effect on the skin, and it may be particularly helpful in relieving itching caused by skin allergies.
As with other essential oils, people should not apply undiluted peppermint oil directly to the skin. Instead, try adding a couple of drops of the oil to shampoo and lathering it into the scalp before rinsing thoroughly with lukewarm water.
Peppermint oil is available from various retailers in online stores.
Dandruff is characterized by a dry, itchy scalp. Lemongrass oil may be an effective treatment for dandruff, according to a 2015 randomized controlled trial.
In this study, 30 participants applied a lemongrass oil solution to one half of their head and a placebo solution to the other half.
After using the solution twice daily for 2 weeks, the lemongrass formula had reduced dandruff compared with the placebo. A 10 percent lemongrass oil solution was more effective than a 5 percent solution.
There are many types of lemongrass oil available online.
Tea tree oil may be an effective natural treatment for head lice-related scalp itch. A 2012 laboratory study found that a 1 percent concentration of tea tree oil successfully killed all head lice tested within 30 minutes of application.
Researchers also tested another natural substance called nerolidol, which is present in some plants. Half of all louse eggs treated with a 1 percent concentration of nerolidol failed to hatch after 4 days.
The authors concluded that a solution of 1 part tea tree oil (at 0.5 percent concentration) to 2 parts nerolidol (at 1 percent concentration) may be particularly effective in killing head lice and their eggs.
People can purchase different brands of both tea tree oil and nerolidol in online stores.
Salicylic acid is a natural chemical present in plants. It has both antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, and it helps exfoliate the skin.
Salicylic acid is a common ingredient in antidandruff shampoos. The acid works by softening areas of thick and hardened skin, allowing it to come off of the scalp more easily. This helps control the itch associated with dandruff and other skin conditions affecting the scalp.
Antidandruff shampoos containing selenium sulphide work by slowing the death of skin cells. This prevents the buildup of flakes on the scalp.
Selenium sulphide also helps reduce the number of Malassezia yeast on the scalp, which contribute to dandruff, seborrheic dermatitis, and scalp psoriasis.
Follow the instructions on the bottle, which may recommend applying the shampoo twice per week for 2 weeks, then reducing this to once per week, followed by a single application when needed.
Selenium sulphide can cause scalp discoloration. However, this is harmless and tends to disappear shortly after a person stops using the shampoo.
Zinc pyrithione is another shampoo ingredient that works by reducing Malassezia, a yeast that can cause dandruff.
People should apply the shampoo at least twice weekly, or as directed by a doctor or dermatologist.
Ketoconazole is another antifungal agent that helps reduce numbers of Malassezia yeast on the scalp.
People can use this shampoo as directed on the bottle, which may be twice per week. Stop using the shampoo if dandruff worsens or shows no signs of improvement after 1 month.
Ketoconazole shampoo is not suitable for children under 12 or for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. Those with broken skin or scalp inflammation should also avoid using products containing ketoconazole.
The most common causes of scalp itch are dandruff, a type of eczema called seborrheic dermatitis, and psoriasis.
Dandruff occurs when the skin cells on the scalp shed and replace themselves too quickly. This causes a buildup of dead skin cells, which eventually flake off into the hair, resulting in visible dandruff and an itchy scalp.
In seborrheic dermatitis, the skin around the oil glands becomes inflamed and develops yellowish, oily scales. Seborrheic dermatitis can affect any area of the body that has oil-producing glands, but it is particularly common on the scalp. Certain factors such as stress, hormonal changes, and skin sensitivities can worsen the condition.
Psoriasis is among the most common skin conditions in the United States. Psoriasis causes the skin cells to grow faster than usual, causing a buildup of skin called plaques. It is common on the scalp.
Other possible causes of an itchy scalp include:
- allergies to shampoo ingredients
- hives
- head lice
- scabies
- scalp ringworm
- atopic dermatitis
- nerve problems
- skin cancer
Scalp itch is a common condition that has many different causes. People can often find relief from scalp itch using natural home remedies.
There are many different varieties of OTC medicated shampoos available from drug stores and online stores.
Persistent itchiness may respond better to OTC shampoos containing antifungal agents.
People should talk to a doctor if scalp itch persists or worsens despite home treatment. A doctor will help identify the underlying cause of scalp itch and may prescribe medications to treat symptoms.