Causes of Itchy Scalp
Itchiness and dandruff are often the consequence of a dry scalp. The chief culprits are often excessive use of hair coloring and styling products, which contain strong, harmful chemicals, shampooing too often, using blow driers and curlers regularly, head lice, dry climate, psoriasis and allergies caused by certain forms of medication.
Home Remedies for Itchy Scalp
You should adopt a few precautionary measures to avoid getting a dry, itchy scalp. Do not go overboard when it comes to washing your hair. Besides cleaning off the dirt from your hair, regular shampoos can also wash away the natural oil on the scalp that is responsible for giving the hair its natural glow. Always rinse your hair very well after shampooing and use a baby shampoo to minimize damage to your hair and scalp. You should also make it a practice to massage the roots of your hair with your fingers after bathing, so that the glands underlying the scalp are stimulated to produce sebum, which makes the scalp naturally well moisturized and prevents it from getting dry and itchy.
Besides these general measures, you may find a few home remedies particularly useful in treating a dry, itchy scalp. Wash your hair with water and then use a solution of equal parts of vinegar and distilled water to soak your hair. You may use cotton wads for this purpose and wait for 5 minutes after applying this solution, and the follow it up with another water rinse. This leaves your scalp feeling clean and smooth. You could also substitute vinegar with baking soda for similar results.
For another remedy, make a mixture of distilled water and witch hazel extract in the ration 2:1 and let it soak into your scalp and hair. Wash it off after 15-20 minutes to get rid of itchiness. You could also make a hair treatment solution by mixing honey, glycerin and some green tea extract and massaging your scalp and hair with it. These ingredients soothe dry and damaged scalp and relieve itchiness by moisturizing the scalp naturally. For another remedy, apply aloe vera juice or extract directly on the scalp and leave it on for half an hour. Then use a mild shampoo to wash your hair. In addition, crush half a cup of juniper berries and add to it two cups of boiled water, and when the mixture cools down apply it on the scalp. Rinse it off after 10 minutes.