When we think about wintertime, thoughts of skiing, snowboarding and holiday cheer may come to mind. We imagine hot chocolate by the fire, snowball fights and snowflakes descending upon us from the sky. What we don’t think about is flakes from our scalp landing on our shoulders and staying there. No one really talks about dry, flaky scalps. But most people experience it at some point. Recently, we’ve discussed the importance of protecting and hydrating your skin—especially to combat dry, harsh winter conditions. Dry conditions can lead to a dry scalp—and if your scalp becomes too dry, itchy and even painful, there are some remedies to try at home to alleviate this uncomfortable and often embarrassing result of dead skin scattering from your scalp. First, it’s important to understand the cause of these flakes so ask yourself a few simple questions. Is this a new problem? If not, do I get an itchy, flaky scalp seasonally? Have I tried any new products? Sometimes a new product could cause itchiness and irritation of the scalp. Often dry scalp happens during the winter season. And winter depletes our bodies of moisture due to the lack of moisture in the colder months. What is dry scalp? Dry scalp symptoms include small white flakes caused by cold weather, excessive dry heat or diet and often causes itch and tightness on the scalp, according to the Mayo Clinic. However, if you are experiencing excessive itching scalp itching, dandruff, eczema, dermatitis or an allergic reaction may be the cause. Dry scalp and dandruff are not one and the same. Often mistaken for dry scalp, dandruff is chronic non-contagious scalp condition caused by yeast-like fungus called malassezia, which is normally found on the scalp without causing problems. But if it grows unchecked (possibly due to hormone imbalances, stress, immune suppression, infrequent shampooing, illness, or increased oil production), there is mild inflammation that produces dead skin cells. In adults and teens, oily white flakes appear on hair and shoulders. In infants, a common type of dandruff called cradle cap affects them. To soothe dry scalp at home, try these remedies: Review your shampoo. Dry scalp can be caused by using harsh shampoos. Find a gentle, hydrating, and moisturizing shampoo and do not use a shampoo for oily hair as it will be too drying. Use warm water not hot in the shower. Go easy on the styling products. Also avoid gels, mousses, hairsprays, and other products that contain alcohol and can dry out your scalp and hair. Limit the use of heat appliances, like a blow dryer, to give hair a chance to recover. Massage your scalp. Treat yourself to a massage to stimulate your scalp. Hot oil treatments can alleviate the itchy feeling and moisturize dry scalps. Exfoliate your scalp. While you can buy specific products targeted at scalp exfoliation, at home you can use Epsom salt or sugar with olive, jojoba or coconut oil to create your own scrub. Then gently rub the paste into damp hair and rinse. Use these oils without salt or sugar to moisturize your scalp as well. Try a medicated shampoo. Over-the-counter shampoos containing zinc, ketoconazole or selenium oxide (Selsun Blue shampoo) may help. For instance, DHS Zinc Shampoo may help to reduce inflammation and aid with exfoliation using zinc. And shampoo containing salicylic acid like Neutrogena T-SAL Therapeutic Shampoo will help exfoliate dead skin cells. Do not over-shampoo, which can strip the skin of its protective oils, leading to more dryness. If you have mild dandruff, these shampoos may alleviate the symptoms as well. Hydrate with a healthy diet and lots of water. Drink lots of water and eat food with omega 3s, like salmon and other fresh water fish, nuts, avocado, flax seeds and more. Make sure you’re getting enough vitamins B and D. Dry scalp may be caused by nutritional deficiencies, such as not getting enough vitamins B6 and B12 in your diet. Boost your intake through fruits, vegetables, and whole-grain breads and cereals and, if necessary, through supplements such as flaxseed oil, zinc, and selenium. Reduce stress. Like anything, stress makes conditions worse. Exercise, get enough rest, go for a walk or try yoga to help. Any ways to help you relax will be helpful. Seek help. If the problem persists, it’s important to seek help to alleviate the condition. Your dermatologist can assess the symptoms to determine if you have seborrheic dermatitis caused by yeast, eczema, psoriasis or other issues. Contact us! We are here to help you properly diagnose and treat conditions of the scalp for adults and children. Posted in: news
If the skin on your head is itchy and flaking, you may have dry scalp. The condition occurs when your scalp loses too much moisture. Hair care products, the weather, age and various skin conditions can cause dry scalp. You may be able to treat the condition by switching shampoos, but talk to your healthcare provider if dry scalp persists.
Dry scalp can occur when the skin on your head loses too much water or moisture. The condition can cause itching and flaking. The skin on your scalp gets irritated and flakes off. There are various reasons why your scalp may be dry. Some hair care products can dry out and irritate your scalp. Weather and age can also affect your scalp. But more serious skin conditions can also cause dry scalp. What’s the difference between dandruff and dry scalp?Dry scalp and dandruff can both cause an itchy, flaky scalp. This can sometimes make it hard to tell the difference. However, excess oil causes dandruff, and loss of moisture causes dry scalp. When you have too much oil on your scalp, your skin cells can build up. Your scalp may appear red, oily and scaly. The scales quickly flake off, and then dandruff appears. Dandruff looks like larger pieces of dry skin flaking off your scalp. It frequently comes and goes and is a very common condition. Seborrheic dermatitis is the main cause of dandruff. Seborrheic dermatitis is a skin condition with various causes. Yeast that lives on your skin, stress or your health can all cause seborrheic dermatitis. Babies can get seborrheic dermatitis, too. If your baby has a scaly, dry scalp, it’s called cradle cap. While a dry scalp can cause itching and flaking, it’s different than dandruff. If you have a dry scalp, the rest of your body may experience dryness too. In addition, the cause of the condition is different. The loss of moisture can be due to many factors, including various skin conditions.
If you’re wondering why your scalp is so dry, you’ll need to consider several reasons. The products you use on your hair could be causing contact dermatitis. Contact dermatitis is a reaction to something that causes itchiness and irritation. Many hair care products dry out your hair by stripping it of its natural oils, which can leave your scalp irritated. The weather could also be causing your condition. Environments with low humidity and areas located in cold climates can dry out the skin on your scalp. In addition, as you get older, your skin starts to dry out. However, the condition can occur for more serious reasons. These conditions may include: PsoriasisPsoriasis is a long-term (chronic) skin condition that causes your skin cells to grow too quickly. This rapid growth makes your skin cells pile up on the surface of your skin in patches. These patches are called plaques. Psoriasis has many genetic components, but other factors may trigger it as well. These factors include infections, injuries and medications. It also includes lifestyle factors such as drinking alcohol or smoking. Tinea capitis (scalp ringworm)Tinea capitis, or scalp ringworm, is a fungal infection of the skin on your scalp. Tinea capitis spreads very easily. You can get it through direct contact with other people and animals. You can also get it by sharing objects, such as hats and brushes, and by touching surfaces that harbor the fungus. Tinea capitis can live for a long period of time on infected surfaces and objects. Actinic keratosis (AK)Actinic keratosis, or solar keratosis, is a type of precancerous sun damage caused by unprotected sun exposure. It’s most common in people assigned male at birth who’ve experienced hair loss, because they have less protection from the sun. Actinic keratosis is also common in people who are age 50 or older who spend a lot of time outdoors without sun protection. Genetics and family history can also play a role.
Dry scalp treatment depends on the cause of the condition. If hair products have caused the condition, you may just have to do a better job rinsing out your shampoo. Shampoo that’s left behind after you shower could be irritating your scalp. If that doesn’t work, you may be able to try home remedies for your dry scalp. If a hair care product is causing contact dermatitis, you may have to stop using that product. You can usually get rid of dry scalp by switching to a non-medicated, gentle shampoo. A shampoo for dry scalp helps stop the dryness and flakes. If a more serious health issue is causing your condition, call your healthcare provider. A dermatologist can diagnose your condition and help fix your dry scalp. Treatments may include: PsoriasisYour dermatologist may prescribe a medicated ointment or cream such as a corticosteroid to apply to your scalp. Corticosteroids reduce itching, redness and scaling quickly. Your dermatologist may also recommend:
Tinea capitisYour dermatologist may prescribe an oral antifungal medication such as terbinafine (Lamisil®). They may also recommend:
Actinic keratosis (AK)Your dermatologist may prescribe a topical medication such as fluorouracil (Fluorac®) or imiquimod (Aldara®). Other treatment options may include:
How can dry scalp be prevented?There are several ways you can prevent a dry, itchy scalp. Try to work some of these tips into your routine:
If changing your shampoo or trying other over-the-counter remedies don’t work, make a call to your healthcare provider. In addition, call your dermatologist if your scalp develops any of the following symptoms:
A dermatologist can help determine if you have a more serious skin condition. They’ll put together a treatment plan and tell you what to do for your dry, flaky scalp. A note from Cleveland Clinic A dry scalp can be itchy, flaky and uncomfortable. The good news is, the condition is usually manageable and easily treated. If home remedies don’t work, call your healthcare provider. If a skin condition such as psoriasis is causing your dry scalp, your provider can prescribe medications and offer tips to treat the problem.
Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 06/22/2022. References
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Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy |