Ask a Beauty Editor: Why Is My Scalp So Itchy?

Washing your hair too often (or not enough)

The first reason is probably the opposite of what you're expecting, but washing your hair too often strips your hair of its natural oils, causing dry scalp issues. Dry scalp = itchy scalp (see next reason).

Similarly, not washing your hair often enough can cause excessive oil, dead skin cells, sweat, and hair care products to build up over time and irritate your scalp.

Solution: Unfortunately, there is no magic number for how often to wash your hair. Everyone's hair is unique, so you're going to need to try out a few different options and go with what suits your hair type best. Generally speaking, hairstylists recommend curly and coily hair wash around once a week, while straight and wavy hair should go every two to three days.

Dry scalp

In addition to excessive washing, a dry scalp can be triggered by a lot of things, including the environment, poor nutrition, and simple genetics. The irritation will produce the same symptoms as your classic dandruff (i.e., itching and flaking), but it's important to note that a dry scalp is caused by the scalp's inability to produce enough sebum and natural oils.

Solution: If your scalp's moisture levels are out of whack, vitamin E can help balance and restore natural oil levels due to its antioxidant properties. Try it in a weekly scalp mask and/or conditioning treatment (like a hot oil hair application).

Solution: If your scalp's moisture levels are out of whack, vitamin E can help balance and restore natural oil levels due to its antioxidant properties. Try it in a weekly scalp mask and/or conditioning treatment (like a hot oil hair application).

Wrong hair products

If you're a product junkie, you may want to ease up on the hairspray—too many styling products can clog up and irritate your scalp. "It's possible to be sensitized to an ingredient in a hair care product; for example, using a shampoo with fragrance or certain ingredients can irritate the scalp. Essential oils are another common cause of allergic contact dermatitis," says Hadley King, MD, board-certified dermatologist in New York City.

Solution: Keep products like waxes, creams, and oils away from your roots—these can make your hair greasier since they're made with emollients, and irritate your scalp. Check your shampoos, hair masks, treatments, and hairsprays for potentially irritating ingredients—if you're unsure, it's best to rule them out one by one.

Additionally, give your locks a detox with a clarifying shampoo once a week, like Pattern Clarifying Shampoo ($20; ulta.com), or a product designed to exfoliate the scalp, like Sum Bum Detox Scalp Scrub ($15; ulta.com). If you want to go the extra mile, use it with a scalp exfoliating brush, like Briogeo Scalp Revival Stimulating Therapy Massager ($18; sephora.com), to slough away dead skin cells.

Dirty pillowcase

Just like contaminated makeup brushes can make you break out, using dirty pillows can affect your scalp. "I'm a big advocate for changing pillows weekly—pillowcases can store hair's natural oils, contributing to it looking greasy," says Davide Marinelli, hairstylist, Cricket ambassador, and founder of Davide Hair Studio in New York City.

Solution: This one is a simple fix—just toss your case in the wash to avoid oil buildup.

Repeated hair salon visits

Scalp itch can be a result of trips to the hair salon, thanks to repeated chemical hair treatments, like permanent color, relaxers, and keratin treatments that sap your scalp of moisture.

Solution: Many stylists advise their clients to come to the salon with unwashed hair. That way, some of your body's own scalp oils form a protective layer between the chemicals and your skin. Some salons may have a range of brands and can work with you to find one that's most suitable for your scalp.

If you feel post-salon irritation, let your skin heal by avoiding other products with harsh chemicals (minimalism is key) and applying something soothing—like aloe vera—to your scalp.

Psoriasis

If you have a family history of psoriasis, or you have it elsewhere in your body, it's likely you will develop a spot on your head, too. With psoriasis, your immune system gets angry at your skin, causing raised, reddish, and often scaly plaques, according to Joshua Zeichner, MD, board-certified dermatologist in New York City.

Solution: See a dermatologist to diagnose scalp psoriasis. They may recommend specific treatments , including medicated shampoos, topical steroids (like cortisone), and/or oral steroids. If you are looking for OTC products to try, check out NPF's Seal of Recognition program. These products have been created to be non-irritating and safe for people with psoriasis.

Dandruff

Seborrheic dermatitis (aka dandruff) is an inflammatory condition of the scalp associated with an overgrowth of harmless yeast. "A yeast found on the skin called Malassezia contributes to the inflammatory response in seborrhea," says Dr. King. "The skin of the scalp becomes red, dry, and flaky, and symptoms often come and go."

Solution: The goal with seborrheic dermatitis is targeting the yeast and therefore decreasing the inflammatory response. According to Dr. King, you should look for ingredients that are antifungal and antimicrobial, including selenium sulfide, pyrithione zinc, ketoconazole, coal tar, and tea tree oil. The good news is that these ingredients are all commonly found in a slew of OTC hair treatments, shampoos, conditioners, and masks.

Head lice

Although this is the least likely, it's also the most obvious. These tiny, highly contagious bugs live on the head and cause significant itching. They also feed on human blood and lay their eggs at the base of the hair shaft, meaning they will multiply if not tended to. These eggs are often visible upon close inspection of the scalp.

Solution: If you do find lice, everyone in your household will need to be treated with a medicated treatment formulated to kill the bugs—make sure to follow the instructions to the T. You'll also need to wash all bedding, towels, and clothing used by infected family members in hot water and dry on high heat, and soak combs and brushes in very hot water for at least 10 minutes.