Itchy scalp - or to give it its fancy name, scalp pruritus - is a common affliction for many people, whether it’s a one-off reaction to something you’ve washed your hair with, or a more chronic case associated with a condition like eczema, scalp psoriasis, or seborrheic dermatitis.
Here are our five best ways of getting rid of the itch:
1. Shampoo less frequently
If you’re shampooing every day, you’re doing your hair and scalp no favours. Generally, most people only need to wash their hair every 2-3 days, but you can try using just warm water and conditioner every other day and see how your scalp gets on. Shampoo strips healthy natural oils from your scalp and increases the likelihood of damage or dryness, so use it more sparingly.
2. Ditch the irritants!
Using hair products that are packed full of perfumes, preservatives, soaps and sulphates (SLS/SLES etc) is a very common cause of itchy, flaky scalps. Avoid shampoos, shower gels and hair dyes that contain problematic synthetics and find SLS-free, unperfumed alternatives. Try our extra-gentle Natural Shampoo & Body Wash for six weeks and see how you go!
3. Rinse with cider vinegar
Once you’ve used your gentle natural shampoo, try organic apple cider vinegar to rinse away microbes in the shower and reduce the itch. Use one part vinegar to one part water, and leave in for five minutes before rinsing.
4. Use an overnight oil treatment
For an intensive but very effective anti-itch treatment, look no further than Balmonds brilliant Scalp Oil! This purifying blend of natural oils (including antimicrobial tea tree, stimulating rosemary and super-nourishing borage) is formulated to reduce flakiness, tackle the microbes that can aggravate scalps, and soothe sensitive skin with naturally anti-inflammatory, regenerative oils.
5. Look after yourself
Your overall well-being has a hugely significant on how your skin copes with everyday life. If you’re suffering from itchy skin then look to your diet, your stress levels, your gut health, your state of mind, and the amount of sleep you're getting. Take your health seriously.
Recommended product: Scalp Oil
Balmonds Scalp Oil with tea tree, rosemary, hemp seed, nettle, borage, chickweed and olive oils.
Apply a few pumps of the oil to the scalp and massage in gently. It’s best used at night time and left on overnight. After applying the oil, lay a soft, old towel on the pillow to avoid staining. In the morning wash the hair out thoroughly with our Natural Shampoo & Body Wash.
