Having an itchy scalp can be unbearable. You might even have trouble sleeping or concentrating. Your scalp could also feel dry, flaky, scaly, or have red patches.
Special shampoos for an itchy scalp can help relieve your symptoms, as they have ingredients that target different causes of itching, such as dandruff, psoriasis, or head lice. For some scalp problems, you may need to get a prescription from your doctor. Finding out what is causing your itchy, dry scalp symptoms will help you choose the right shampoo. Here are some of the best types of shampoos for an itchy scalp.
Shampoos for Dandruff
Dandruff is a common scalp problem, but it isn’t contagious. If you see lots of tiny flakes of skin on your shirt or in your hair, eyebrows, or facial hair, it’s probably dandruff. Dandruff is caused by an overgrowth of yeast that lives on the scalp. This triggers your body’s immune system, causing itchiness. The symptoms of dandruff can get worse with stress or during cold, dry weather.
To treat dandruff, use a dandruff shampoo in place of your regular shampoo once or twice a week. Follow the directions on the back of the bottle, as different types of dandruff shampoo have different instructions. You are supposed to lather some shampoos and leave them in for 5 minutes before rinsing. Other dandruff shampoos shouldn’t sit for a long time on your skin, and you should rinse them out right away.
If the first type of dandruff shampoo doesn’t work well enough, try a different kind. Some people find that one type of shampoo will work for a while, then they have to switch. It’s OK to alternate among two or three types of dandruff shampoo. Some fight the fungus that can lead to dandruff, while others are meant to help with the symptoms of dandruff.
Best shampoos for dandruff
The following are common dandruff shampoos. These options are the most effective types of dandruff shampoos available. You can buy them over the counter or with a prescription from your doctor, depending on the strength of your shampoo’s ingredients.
Shampoos for Psoriasis
Psoriasis happens when your immune system attacks your skin cells. In response, your body makes lots of new skin cells, which pile up and form red patches with a silvery-white shine to them. Scalp psoriasis can appear in small patches or can cover the whole scalp and spread to the forehead or neck. These patches, known as plaques, can cause itchiness. An itchy scalp is a common symptom of scalp psoriasis, affecting 70% to 90% of people with the condition.
Other symptoms include dryness, hair loss, bleeding, and a burning feeling on the scalp. Talk with your doctor about treatment options such as topical medications, medicated shampoos, and laser treatments.
Best shampoos for psoriasis
Over-the-counter (OTC) shampoos can help treat mild psoriasis symptoms. During a flare-up, OTC shampoos can help soften and wash away scale so that your prescription topical medication can get through to your scalp.
Shampoos for Ringworm
Ringworm has nothing at all to do with worms. It is a fungal infection common in children. Ringworm on the scalp, also known as tinea capitis, can look like a swollen red patch or bald spot. You may also see black spots, or a stubble-like texture. Like other fungal infections of the scalp, ringworm can cause itching.
You can treat some types of ringworm with over-the-counter antifungal cream, but for ringworm of the scalp, you usually need to take a prescription oral medication (pills) for 1 to 3 months. Using over-the-counter or prescription antifungal ketoconazole shampoos can help keep symptoms under control. Ketoconazole is an antifungal medicine that slows the growth of fungi, including ringworm.
Shampoos for Head Lice
Itching is one of the most common symptoms of head lice, tiny insects that live on or near a human scalp. Lice are not linked to poor hygiene or an unclean environment. Clean hair is actually more attractive to lice than dirty hair. The best way to find out if a person has head lice is to see one of the lice crawling in the person’s hair.
You might also see tiny lice eggs (known as nits) clinging to strands of hair. Over-the-counter lice medicine is called pediculicide. Pediculicide shampoos treat lice by paralyzing and killing them. But pediculicide shampoos don’t get rid of lice eggs, so you may need to repeat the application after a week or two. Follow the directions on the box carefully.
Shampoos for Eczema
Eczema is a skin condition that shows up as red, itchy, scaly areas on your skin. Atopic dermatitis, a type of eczema, can make your scalp dry and itchy. Eczema tends to come and go. A dermatologist or family doctor can suggest ways to keep symptoms to a minimum. When eczema flares up, your doctor may prescribe topical treatments – medications or therapies that you apply to your skin – or a specific shampoo to use.
The key is to find a gentle shampoo that won’t make eczema worse. Look for shampoos that are fragrance-free, because scented ingredients can be irritating. Also steer clear of shampoos that contain sodium lauryl sulfate, or SLS, which makes products foamy but may irritate your eczema. If those options are still too harsh or unhelpful, try a medicated shampoo for dandruff. Look for dandruff shampoos that contain coal tar or zinc pyrithione, which are ingredients that can relieve itching, redness, and swelling.
Allergies and an Itchy Scalp
If you have an itchy rash on your scalp, you could be having an allergic reaction, also called contact dermatitis. Itchiness can be a side effect of hair products like shampoos, dyes, and styling products. The treatment is to stop using the product you’re allergic to. If you have trouble figuring out what ingredient is bothering you, a dermatologist may be able to help you narrow it down.
Source: webmd.com
