Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsHome Remedies and LifestyleOTC TherapiesPrescriptionsSurgeries and Specialist-Driven ProceduresFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Home Remedies and Lifestyle
OTC Therapies
Prescriptions
Surgeries and Specialist-Driven Procedures
Frequently Asked Questions
Treatment for itchy scalp depends on the exact cause. Many conditions can lead to an itchy scalp, such asdandruff, allergic reactions, and skin conditions likeeczemaand psoriasis.
Often, home remedies can provide effective relief. These remedies include:
Some cases of itchy scalp may require prescription treatment. This article discusses the different treatments for itchy scalp and when to see your healthcare provider.
Verywell / Katie Kerpel
There are many home remedies and lifestyle changes that you can do to help soothe an itchy scalp, but they should only be used if you’re certain of the cause. If poor hygiene is the culprit, make sure you clean your hair and rinse off any products. It’s also important to maintain a regular hair-washing routine.
If your hair is tightly curled or textured, washing your hair once a week may be enough.For people with straight hair, excess oil can build up more easily, which means they should wash their hair daily or every other day.
If the skin on your scalp is dry and causing your itchy scalp, moisturizing the area can help. You can do that with different kinds of oils, such ascoconutor tea tree. Tea tree oil, in particular, has other uses, including being an effective agent to rid the hair of head lice, small insects that infest the head and neck.
When to See a Healthcare Provider
Conditions That Affect Your Scalp and How to Identify Them
Over-the-Counter (OTC) Therapies
OTC shampoos and kits are available for helping you get rid of head lice. Hives can also be treated with OTC products such as an antihistamine or calamine lotion.
Prescription shampoos containing the corticosteroid clobetasol propionate have been shown to be the most effective agent when treating psoriasis on the scalp.
Head lice can also cause an itchy scalp. It is common in children ages 3–11. You can treat head lice with an OTC shampoo, but if that doesn’t help, you will need to see your dermatologist for prescription treatment. They may recommend malathion lotion and spinosad suspension.
Scalp Psoriasis vs. Dandruff
If skin cancer is causing your itchy scalp, a doctor will surgically remove the skin cancer mass and surrounding tissue.Skin cancers often don’t cause bothersome symptoms until they have grown quite large. When they reach a bigger size, they may itch, bleed, or even hurt.
Summary
A Word From Verywell
Having an itchy scalp can be uncomfortable, but there are ways to soothe the itch and get any underlying conditions taken care of promptly. If you experience an itchy scalp often, see your doctor, who will determine the cause. An itchy scalp is rarely the result of a serious medical condition, and treatment is typically a simple process.
What is the best treatment for an itchy scalp?
How do you get rid of dandruff and itchy scalp?
You can get rid of dandruff with anti-dandruff shampoos, which can be found in your local drugstore or supermarket. These shampoos are typically effective at eliminating dandruff and the itch that comes along with it.
How can you prevent an itchy scalp?
To reduce your risk of developing an itchy scalp, you should practice good hygiene. Wash your hair regularly and make sure that all built-up oils, residue, and products are rinsed clean. Also, use warm water instead of hot water while washing your hair to decrease the risk of drying out your scalp, which can lead to itchiness.
What essential oil is good for an itchy scalp?
There are a few essential oils that can be helpful if you have an itchy scalp, such as coconut and tea tree oils.
Why Does My Scalp Itch at Night?
10 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Academy of Dermatology.African American hair: Tips for everyday care.Di Campli E, Di Bartolomeo S, Delli Pizzi P, Di Giulio M, Grande R, Nostro A, Cellini L.Activity of tea tree oil and nerolidol alone or in combination against Pediculus capitis (head lice) and its eggs.Parasitol Res.2012 Nov;111(5):1985-92. doi:10.1007/s00436-012-3045-0National Eczema Association.The efficacy of meditation for the treatment of chronic pruritus: A pilot trial.Kayiran MA, Akdeniz N.Diagnosis and treatment of urticaria in primary care.North Clin Istanb.2019 Feb 14;6(1):93-99. doi:10.14744/nci.2018.75010Schwartz JR.Zinc Pyrithione: A Topical Antimicrobial With Complex Pharmaceutics.J Drugs Dermatol.2016 Feb;15(2):140-4.Blakely K, Gooderham M.Management of scalp psoriasis: current perspectives.Psoriasis (Auckl).2016 Mar 29;6:33-40. doi:10.2147/PTT.S85330Hay R.Therapy of Skin, Hair and Nail Fungal Infections.J Fungi (Basel).2018 Aug 20;4(3):99. doi:10.3390/jof4030099American Academy for Dermatology Association.10 ways to get relief from chronic hives.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Head lice: Diagnosis and treatment.National Cancer Institute.Melanoma treatment.
10 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Academy of Dermatology.African American hair: Tips for everyday care.Di Campli E, Di Bartolomeo S, Delli Pizzi P, Di Giulio M, Grande R, Nostro A, Cellini L.Activity of tea tree oil and nerolidol alone or in combination against Pediculus capitis (head lice) and its eggs.Parasitol Res.2012 Nov;111(5):1985-92. doi:10.1007/s00436-012-3045-0National Eczema Association.The efficacy of meditation for the treatment of chronic pruritus: A pilot trial.Kayiran MA, Akdeniz N.Diagnosis and treatment of urticaria in primary care.North Clin Istanb.2019 Feb 14;6(1):93-99. doi:10.14744/nci.2018.75010Schwartz JR.Zinc Pyrithione: A Topical Antimicrobial With Complex Pharmaceutics.J Drugs Dermatol.2016 Feb;15(2):140-4.Blakely K, Gooderham M.Management of scalp psoriasis: current perspectives.Psoriasis (Auckl).2016 Mar 29;6:33-40. doi:10.2147/PTT.S85330Hay R.Therapy of Skin, Hair and Nail Fungal Infections.J Fungi (Basel).2018 Aug 20;4(3):99. doi:10.3390/jof4030099American Academy for Dermatology Association.10 ways to get relief from chronic hives.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Head lice: Diagnosis and treatment.National Cancer Institute.Melanoma treatment.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American Academy of Dermatology.African American hair: Tips for everyday care.Di Campli E, Di Bartolomeo S, Delli Pizzi P, Di Giulio M, Grande R, Nostro A, Cellini L.Activity of tea tree oil and nerolidol alone or in combination against Pediculus capitis (head lice) and its eggs.Parasitol Res.2012 Nov;111(5):1985-92. doi:10.1007/s00436-012-3045-0National Eczema Association.The efficacy of meditation for the treatment of chronic pruritus: A pilot trial.Kayiran MA, Akdeniz N.Diagnosis and treatment of urticaria in primary care.North Clin Istanb.2019 Feb 14;6(1):93-99. doi:10.14744/nci.2018.75010Schwartz JR.Zinc Pyrithione: A Topical Antimicrobial With Complex Pharmaceutics.J Drugs Dermatol.2016 Feb;15(2):140-4.Blakely K, Gooderham M.Management of scalp psoriasis: current perspectives.Psoriasis (Auckl).2016 Mar 29;6:33-40. doi:10.2147/PTT.S85330Hay R.Therapy of Skin, Hair and Nail Fungal Infections.J Fungi (Basel).2018 Aug 20;4(3):99. doi:10.3390/jof4030099American Academy for Dermatology Association.10 ways to get relief from chronic hives.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Head lice: Diagnosis and treatment.National Cancer Institute.Melanoma treatment.
American Academy of Dermatology.African American hair: Tips for everyday care.
Di Campli E, Di Bartolomeo S, Delli Pizzi P, Di Giulio M, Grande R, Nostro A, Cellini L.Activity of tea tree oil and nerolidol alone or in combination against Pediculus capitis (head lice) and its eggs.Parasitol Res.2012 Nov;111(5):1985-92. doi:10.1007/s00436-012-3045-0
National Eczema Association.The efficacy of meditation for the treatment of chronic pruritus: A pilot trial.
Kayiran MA, Akdeniz N.Diagnosis and treatment of urticaria in primary care.North Clin Istanb.2019 Feb 14;6(1):93-99. doi:10.14744/nci.2018.75010
Schwartz JR.Zinc Pyrithione: A Topical Antimicrobial With Complex Pharmaceutics.J Drugs Dermatol.2016 Feb;15(2):140-4.
Blakely K, Gooderham M.Management of scalp psoriasis: current perspectives.Psoriasis (Auckl).2016 Mar 29;6:33-40. doi:10.2147/PTT.S85330
Hay R.Therapy of Skin, Hair and Nail Fungal Infections.J Fungi (Basel).2018 Aug 20;4(3):99. doi:10.3390/jof4030099
American Academy for Dermatology Association.10 ways to get relief from chronic hives.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Head lice: Diagnosis and treatment.
National Cancer Institute.Melanoma treatment.
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