Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsReasons for Itchiness at NightCommon CausesOther CausesHome RemediesWhen to Get HelpPrevention
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Reasons for Itchiness at Night
Common Causes
Other Causes
Home Remedies
When to Get Help
Prevention
If you have an itchy scalp at night, common causes like psoriasis or eczema may be the first thing that come to mind. However, other reasons for your itchy scalp include hives, dandruff, lice, and more.
Having an itchy scalp at night is particularly challenging because ofpoor sleep. This can make you tired the next day. That’s bad for your overall health and quality of life, especially if it’s a chronic problem.
Verywell / Joules Garcia
Why Scalp Itch Is Worse at Night
Having an itchy scalp at night is called nocturnalpruritus. This condition can be acute (lasting a few day or weeks) or chronic (lasting longer than six weeks).
Research suggests many physical reasons thatskin irritationcan get worse at night:
It may also be that your itchiness is just as bad during the day, but you’re more distracted so you just notice it more at night.
Common Skin Conditions That Trigger Scalp Itchiness
The most commonconditions that affect your scalpat night arepsoriasisandatopic dermatitis. These are chronic conditions, meaning they last a long time.
Studies show one of the biggest complaints of people with atopic dermatitis is a chronic scalp itch that leads to poor sleep and prolonged fatigue.
Psoriasis can flare up due to changes in diet, environment, or stress. When scalp itchiness disrupts sleep, it can increase stress, which in turn can exacerbate a psoriasis flare.
If you have psoriasis, you may also havethermodysregulation(abnormal or exaggerated changes in body temperature), which can intensify an itchy scalp at night.
Other Conditions That Cause Itchy Scalp
Several health conditions can cause the scalp to itch at night. They include:
How to Stop an Itchy Scalp Using Home Remedies
You can try several home remedies totreat an itchy scalpat night. However, you need to know why your scalp itches in order to find the right treatment. Your healthcare provider can give you a diagnosis and point you toward the best treatments.
Always check with your healthcare provider before trying any home remedies to be sure you’re using them safely.
When to See a Healthcare Provider
Make an appointment with your healthcare provider if:
Healthcare providers can help you understand why your scalp is itching and give you proper treatment options to reduce or eliminate the itch.
For some causes of itchy scalp like psoriasis, your provider may prescribe a medicated shampoo or medicated ointments and creams.
Preventing an Itchy Scalp at Night
To reduce your likelihood of an itchy scalp at night, you can try these recommendations from sleep experts:
Summary
Having an itchy scalp is a frustrating condition that can impair sleep and lead to additional health issues if left untreated. Common causes include dandruff, eczema, psoriasis, andlice.
Contact your healthcare provider to get a proper diagnosis and treatment. Some home remedies, such asanti-dandruff shampoos, medicated lice treatments, and moisturizing oils, may offer some relief.
3 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.Lavery MJ, Stull C, Kinney MO, Yosipovitch G.Nocturnal pruritus: the battle for a peaceful night’s sleep.Int J Mol Sci. 2016;17(3):425. doi:10.3390/ijms17030425American Academy of Dermatology Association.10 reasons your scalp itches and how to get relief.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Is your dry scalp something more serious?Additional ReadingPodder I, Mondal H, Kroumpouzos G.Nocturnal pruritus and sleep disturbance associated with dermatologic disorders in adult patients.Int J Womens Dermatol. 2021;7(4):403-410. doi:10.1016/j.ijwd.2021.02.010
3 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.Lavery MJ, Stull C, Kinney MO, Yosipovitch G.Nocturnal pruritus: the battle for a peaceful night’s sleep.Int J Mol Sci. 2016;17(3):425. doi:10.3390/ijms17030425American Academy of Dermatology Association.10 reasons your scalp itches and how to get relief.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Is your dry scalp something more serious?Additional ReadingPodder I, Mondal H, Kroumpouzos G.Nocturnal pruritus and sleep disturbance associated with dermatologic disorders in adult patients.Int J Womens Dermatol. 2021;7(4):403-410. doi:10.1016/j.ijwd.2021.02.010
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.
Lavery MJ, Stull C, Kinney MO, Yosipovitch G.Nocturnal pruritus: the battle for a peaceful night’s sleep.Int J Mol Sci. 2016;17(3):425. doi:10.3390/ijms17030425American Academy of Dermatology Association.10 reasons your scalp itches and how to get relief.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Is your dry scalp something more serious?
Lavery MJ, Stull C, Kinney MO, Yosipovitch G.Nocturnal pruritus: the battle for a peaceful night’s sleep.Int J Mol Sci. 2016;17(3):425. doi:10.3390/ijms17030425
American Academy of Dermatology Association.10 reasons your scalp itches and how to get relief.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Is your dry scalp something more serious?
Podder I, Mondal H, Kroumpouzos G.Nocturnal pruritus and sleep disturbance associated with dermatologic disorders in adult patients.Int J Womens Dermatol. 2021;7(4):403-410. doi:10.1016/j.ijwd.2021.02.010
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