Suffering from Itchy Scalp?
Of the many problems that plague
women and hair care, a HUGE concern is how to alleviate or get rid of itchy
scalp.
Sometimes
scalp irritations are minor annoyances due to product build-up
or changes in the weather. While no one is excited to see loose flakes of
dandruff dotting their clothing, most times this will clear up with a specially
formulated shampoo for dandruff. But in other cases, itchy scalp goes from a
mild inconvenience to a full-blown, scalp-on-fire, can’t-keep-your-hands-out-of
your-head type disaster of epic proportions. Anyone who has experienced these
symptoms knows the pain of scratching or even massaging your scalp to the point
that your whole head begins to feel inflamed and tender to the touch. Chronic
bouts of itchiness will leave you wondering which came first – are you
frantically digging your nails in your scalp as a result of the inflammation,
or is the inflammation a result of all the scratching? It is a
chicken-or-the-egg conundrum of the worst kind, and at the end of the day, who
really cares which came first? All we want is relief.
Luckily, there are a few natural
remedies you can try to see if you can finally win the war against the “itches
and the scratches.”
You may occasionally
get the itches when using rich hair growth oils such as Nzuri Hair Follicle
Food 61 and Nzuri Stop Hair Loss Oils.
My Favorite Staple is Apple Cider
Vinegar
A staple in the world of hair care,
when diluted with water apple cider vinegar is used for its clarifying
properties as well as its ability to help reduce hair porosity as a rinse due
to its low pH balance. It also has anti-bacterial qualities that make it
particularly helpful in treating an
itchy
scalp
that is caused by bacteria build-up, and against any fungal
condition (yeast on the scalp). Yeast does not like an acidic environment so
swabbing the scalp with an ACV solution can be helpful, just be careful to make
sure that you dilute it enough to a level where it is comfortable enough to put
on your scalp, or else it will sting like crazy, especially if you have any
abraded skin. The raw, unfiltered organic ACV is the best kind.
I personally like Braggs brand.
Aloe Vera
In case you decide to try the ACV,
consider having some aloe vera gel handy to soothe any stinging sensations that
you may get. Aloe Vera can be used straight from the plant, or the organic gel
can be bought commercially. Naturally emollient and calming, it is a great balm
for the scalp that will also soften the
hair
and feed your roots.
Tea Tree Oil
Tea Tree Oil (Melaleuca Alternifolia),
is ubiquitous in
shampoos and conditioners for this very condition in large part due to its highly
antiseptic qualities. It’s a triple threat to scalp irritations because of its
anti-fungal, anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties. Again, Tea Tree Oil
should not be used full strength and is best when used with a carrier oil.
Stay Away From This
If you co-wash instead of using an
actual shampoo, this might be a good time to take a break and use a product
that won’t just leave more build-up on your already beleaguered scalp. Do try
to avoid shampoos with harsh detergents that will strip your scalp (and hair)
of its natural oils, further adding to that dreaded tight and dry feeling. If
your shampoo has sodium lauryl sulfate or sodium laureth sulfate as an
ingredient, it probably won’t be doing you any favors. Look for shampoos
without sulfates and parabens and with nourishing oils that will soothe your
skin such as the Nzuri Kra-Z Hair Gro Growth Stimulating Shampoo or the Nzuri
Hemp Shampoo which is full of omega 3 fatty acids that aids in strengthening
the hair.
Word to the Wise
One final word of caution: itchy scalp can be caused for a variety of
reasons that are not always easy to self-diagnose.
Nzuri oils may cause mild scalp itch if used
according to directions.
However, if you
are experiencing symptoms that don’t seem to be responding to any treatments,
or have broken skin or open sores on the scalp, please see your dermatologist
or a licensed trichologist for an accurate diagnosis of your condition. In some
cases, professional care may be required.
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