Customer question:
What are the reasons for an itchy scalp? Anonymous customer's question
Pharmacist's answer:
Dandruff
Dandruff is a common problem in which small pieces of dry skin peel off the scalp. This peeling of the skin can cause itching. The most effective way to treat and control dandruff is to use an anti-dandruff shampoo and scalp treatment.
Reaction to hair care product
If you have an itchy scalp, you may have allergic contact dermatitis. This is a common problem with people who color their hair. Often the culprit is a dye ingredient called para-phenylenediamine (PPD), found in black hair dyes.
You can also suffer from an allergy to shampoo, conditioner, or other product that touches your scalp. If this is the case, you will likely have an itchy rash on your scalp and any other skin the product touches. You must stop using the product, causing the reaction to stop the itching.
Hives
These red and very itchy bumps can appear anywhere on the skin, including the scalp. Hives usually come and go within a few hours, but sometimes they disappear and then come back. This is called chronic hives if hives appear and disappear for over six weeks.
Head lice
An itchy scalp is the most common symptom of lice. If you suspect that head lice cause your itching, ask someone with good vision to carefully examine your scalp and hair for signs of lice. To get rid of itching, you must first get rid of lice. Lice are removed with a special comb and lice shampoo.
Psoriasis of the scalp
About 50% of people with psoriasis experience a scalp rash at some point. In addition, reddish patches, dandruff-like flaking, silvery white scales, and dry scalp may appear on the scalp. There are many treatments for scalp psoriasis. Some people treat the condition with a medicated shampoo or other over-the-counter treatment.
Atopic dermatitis
If you have a type of eczema known as atopic dermatitis, it can develop on the scalp. This can cause redness and flaking of the scalp. In addition, some people report that their scalp burns and often itches. Because the skin on the scalp differs from elsewhere on the body, it is best to consult a professional dermatologist for a treatment plan.
Question from a customer: "Which shampoos are best for relieving itchy scalp from psoriasis?"
Answer:
Treatment of scalp psoriasis can be complex due to the sensitivity of the skin and the presence of hair. refore, theTherefore, theTherefore, the best psoriasis shampoo is made with mostly natural ingredients, namely psoriasis-friendly ingredients like apple cider vinegar, tea tree oil, and many other conditioning ingredients.
You can also use shampoos that contain salicylic acid or coal tar and are available over the counter in pharmacies. These mentioned shampoos can help in managing mild scalp psoriasis. They can also be available in creams, lotions, and ointments.
Use warm water before applying shampoos or ointments to soften the scalp. Then comb your hair in gentle circular motions. This can help remove plaque from the scalp. Whether homemade or store-bought, any anti-psoriasis shampoo must contain one of the following ingredients to be effective:
- Salicylic Acid: This helps exfoliate the skin and can remove scales caused by psoriasis.
- Tar: some people use coal tar to treat psoriasis all over the body, including psoriasis of the scalp.
- Ketoconazole: is an antifungal agent that can help people with dry, scaly skin.
- Selenium Sulfide: this is a common ingredient in this type of conditioning shampoo used to treat many skin conditions, including hyperkeratosis and seborrheic dermatitis.
If shampoos are not effective, your doctor may prescribe a more intensive topical treatment, including the following ingredients:
- Anthralin: this helps to slow down the production of skin cells.
- Tazarotene: is a topical retinoid that helps reduce the rate of skin cell growth.
- Calcipotriene is a synthetic form of vitamin D3 that helps by slowing the growth of skin cells, shedding scales, and reducing the size of lesions.
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