How to Deal With Sensitive Scalp

Itch, dryness, and flakes. 

You may have a sensitive scalp.

It can be irritating and can cause discomfort for the entire day. Symptoms can be either mild or severe. The latter poses extreme discomfort.

Can you imagine going through your day with an intense itch on your scalp? How are you going to finish that presentation? Too hard to bear right?

So let’s see what is a sensitive scalp, its causes, and how do you treat it.

So you wouldn’t have to bear a single day with a head full of itch!

Signs and Causes of Sensitive Scalp

Your scalp is home to several blood vessels with nerve endings. So it’s not surprising that your scalp can be hypersensitive at times.

Here are the classical symptoms of a sensitive scalp and its possible causes.

• Itch

Oh, the itch! You’ve been rubbing your scalp raw but to no avail. And It can be an embarrassing situation. No one would want to watch your presentation while you constantly pick at your scalp!

An itchy scalp has a variety of causes. It can be an allergic reaction to a variety of hair products such as hair color, shampoo, conditioner, or hair creams.

• Burning sensation

This happens when your scalp is severely irritated. Your scalp sheds skin regularly.

Overexposure to heat and styling tools can destabilize the normal shedding process.

• Dryness and prickly sensation

Your scalp is just starting to itch! It will feel dry and tight at first, then follows that tingling sensation. Common causes are pollution and allergic reactions to some hair products.

• Redness

Once your scalp gets itchy, you’ll be scratching it incessantly and this will make it sore. Apart from styling products, exposure to the sun’s harmful rays can irritate it further. Yes, you can also get sunburn on your scalp!

These signs may also lead to flaking and a more embarrassing situation!

Let’s see how you can ease this situation.

How to Relieve Sensitive Scalp

It’s embarrassing and uncomfortable. And you need to deal with it right away!

1. Water

Really basic, right? A dehydrated body leads to a dehydrated scalp. And once your scalp is stripped of the moisture, it can begin to itch!

So get your daily dose of water, that’s about 2 L a day! If you don’t like the bland taste of it, try spritzing it with a little flavor from sliced fruits.

Slice a lemon or an orange and pop it in that bottle! A fruit infused water is more palatable to drink!

2. Witch hazel rinse

Witch hazel can relieve inflammation, irritation, and is a natural alternative to relieving dandruff.

How to make a witch hazel rinse?

Mix 1/3 cup witch hazel and ⅔ cup distilled water in a bottle. You can apply this concoction on your scalp after showering. Leave it to soak for thirty minutes and rinse.

3. Apple cider vinegar

Apple cider vinegar is a great natural clarifier for your scalp. It can balance your scalp’s pH level with its natural acidity.

Mix ⅓ cup ACV with ⅔ cups water in a bottle. Apply on the scalp and gently massage for 5-10 minutes. Don’t forget to rinse it off!

4. Chamomile tea

This health drink has a myriad of skin benefits! It can relieve the redness and irritation of the scalp and even used to keep dandruff at bay.

Just steep two teabags, transfer it to a bottle and spritz on your scalp! It’s a leave-on formula so you don’t have to wash it off

5. Aloe vera juice

Aloe vera has anti-inflammatory properties that can instantly relieve itch and burning sensation on your scalp. It can even moisturize your skin!

Just spritz on aloe vera juice on your freshly washed hair. You have an option to leave it on or wash it.

6. Oatmeal water

Oatmeal can balance out your scalp’s pH. And this relieves the symptoms of scalp sensitivity.

You need ground oatmeal for this one. Either you purchase one at the store or use a blender to ground the whole oatmeal. Mix 1/2 cup of oatmeal with 1 cup of hot water. Let cool and filter the mixture to remove any large pieces of oatmeal. You don’t want chunks of oatmeal on your hair, right?

Once you have the oatmeal water, apply it to your scalp and massage gently. Leave on for 10 minutes then rinse off!

7. Tea tree oil

Tea tree has natural anti-viral, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties. It’s quite effective in treating dryness and dandruff

Add 2-3 drops of pure tea tree oil to your shampoo or conditioner and lather.

You may also make a tea tree infused the water. Add a few drops of tea tree oil in distilled water. Mix thoroughly and spritz away!

8. Get the right shampoo

Since most scalp sensitivities are caused by using the wrong hair products, you have to use the right shampoo for your sensitive skin! Unlike regular shampoos, shampoos designed for the sensitive scalp are more gentle and hypoallergenic.

The right shampoo will not mess up with your scalp’s natural pH. A messed up pH is an invitation for itch and soreness!

9. Go easy on styling products

While you may love to style your hair daily, if you have a sensitive scalp, this isn’t such a good idea!

Subjecting your scalp to heat from blow dryers and flat irons will dry it more and aggravate the condition! Just lay low for a few days and your scalp will thank you for it!

10. No to hot showers

Yes, how showers are relaxing after a day’s hard work. But it may not be for your sensitive scalp! Hot water can irritate your scalp the more. If you can’t stand the cold water, use warm water instead to wash your hair.

Conclusion

The itch and dryness may not bother you at first. But once the symptoms heighten, flakes are bound to fall! And it’s an embarrassing situation. It’s going to make you park your favorite black dress or black coat in your drawer for some time!

You no longer have to go through with that! Knowing what causes a sensitive scalp is the first step so that you’ll know how to treat it!