Scalp Stress Can Equal An Itchy Scalp

We've all seen movies where the hero would scratch his head while he was trying to figure out how to solve a problem. This isn't something that just happens in the movies, though, as there are people who scratch their itchy scalp on a daily basis. You may well have what has become known as scalp stress by doctors. Scalp stress takes place when the stresses of life both internal and external work together to cause your head to itch and scratch. And, who can resist scratching an itchy scalp?

Itchy scalps are all too common, especially in the coldest part of the year. An itchy scalp, with dryness and flaking, is mistaken for dandruff many time. People will go and purchase a dandruff shampoo, and use it as it says on the label. This doesn't help them, because they don't have dandruff. In fact, the shampoo makes their itchy scalp worse! It dries out the skin, causing more of an itch, so you scratch more. And, scratching more causes flakes. It's a vicious circle that can go on throughout the winter months.

Both men and women can suffer from scalp stress. When you have a bit of an itchy scalp, then are hit with emotional, physical, or environmental stresses, the itchiness and flaking become worse. It may be from searing heat, or bitter cold weather, pressure and worry from your job, or hormones gone awry, but an itchy scalp caused by stress is very real.

You can also stress your scalp by using harsh shampoos, hair spray, hair gel, or mousse that contains alcohol, or hair colour. If you use styling aids such as a curling iron, hot rollers, or blow dryer, the heat is certainly causing an itchy scalp. Even using a shampoo that is wrong for your hair type, such as an oily hair formula when your hair is dry and needs extra conditioning, can bring on an itchy scalp. How is your shampooing technique? Do you concentrate on the hair, and not the scalp? Your scalp needs a gentle massage with shampoo every time you wash your hair.

Do you wear a hat often? Do you have the hat on for long periods of time? Many people have a problem with hats and itchy scalps. If you stay out in the sun a lot and/or get sunburn on your head, or if you allow yourself to get much too hot, whether outside or inside, the excessive sweating you will experience from the temperature extreme can cause you to be bothered with an itchy scalp.

Is your skin normally dry on other parts of your body? Then your scalp more than likely has dry skin, too, and would be much more susceptible to an itchy scalp. How often do you wash your hair? Daily? A few times a week? Or, does more than a week go by in between shampoos? How often you do or do not shampoo can have an impact on whether or not you have an itchy scalp.

Most people agree that the usual cause of an itchy scalp is either a scalp that is too dry, or a scalp that is too oily. Another common reason for itchy scalp is an adverse reaction to shampoo ingredients. Itchy scalp conditions are on the rise sure to sensitivities to shampoo and hair dye ingredients. It would seem reasonable, then, to try and control both scalp conditions by internal means by what we eat. If your diet is poor, this can cause you to have a dry or an oily scalp. If you do not get enough iron, zinc, B complex vitamins, and Vitamin C, this can cause you to have an itchy scalp. If for some reason you are getting too much Vitamin A in your diet, this can also cause an itchy scalp. Too little protein is also a culprit. The key word here is balance.

There is much you can do at home to treat an itchy scalp. You can make an essential oil remedy which contains oils of: tea tree, neem, lavender and rosemary. These oils are antibacterial, antifungal and soothe itching in minutes. You can also use ready made soothing scalp remedy blends for your scalp.