Do you have dandruff and an itchy head? This needs to be treated!

Can dandruff cause an itchy head?

Intense itching is not always accompanied by white flakes flying from the hair. Dandruff is skin flakes that begin to flake off abnormally quickly. Normal skin regeneration occurs monthly, but is not noticed because particles are removed during washing. Some disruptions in the body provoke their intense exfoliation. The result is a problem that is visible to the naked eye.

Usually the head begins to itch from dandruff if the disease remains untreated for a long time. Its advanced form is a provocateur of severe irritation of the skin.

However, itching, disturbing from time to time or constantly, is often a separate sign indicating a malfunction in the functioning of some organ.

Types of disease

There are dry and oily seborrhea. Fatty is divided into liquid and thick. It most often occurs in areas of the epidermis with a large number of sebaceous glands: on the scalp, on the face, on the chest and on the back.

Dry form

The causative agent of the disease is the fungus Pityrosporum ovale (or Malassezia Furfur). It lives peacefully among many people without causing concern. It is activated under certain conditions: physical labor, decreased immunity, tense mental or psycho-emotional state, postpartum period.

Sebum is produced, but its structure changes. It becomes viscous and stands out worse. The surface of the skin looks dry and becomes hypersensitive. The dandruff falls off and the head begins to itch. When the scales layer, yellowish, grayish or whitish sores appear. Peeling breaks the entire surface of the scalp or the area of the back of the head and crown. Hair flakes, becomes brittle, thin and dry.

Causes

Factors responsible for dandruff and an itchy head:

Allergies to new skincare products, foods, medications. Often the problem disappears when a person finishes experiments, having tried advertised new products that are not even suitable for their skin type.
Fungus is another cause of itchy scalp and dandruff. Infections that lead to severe peeling of the skin require the involvement of a doctor - a trichologist or dermatologist. Doing things on your own will only make the disease worse.
Abuse of straightening with curling irons, flat irons, perms, chemical dyes. The consequences are damaged hair, dry, irritated scalp. This also includes the frequent use of shampoos that prevent sebum formation.
Disruption of the normal functioning of the sebaceous glands (seborrhea). There are two types of disease - oily and dry. The reasons must be determined by a doctor; amateur therapy is unacceptable.
Insufficient hygiene. Mostly applies to people with excessive sweating, those who like intense exercise. Frequently wearing hats without regularly washing your hair is the cause of dandruff, accompanied by itching.
Stress is to blame for vascular spasms, which means nutrient deficiencies. The consequences are disruption of local metabolism, hair loss, itching and flakes. Depressive conditions require medical help.

The same list includes problems with the endocrine system, vitamin deficiencies, diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, reproductive organs, neoplasms, and chronic diseases.

Diseases that cause crust formation

There are many diseases that cause the appearance of scabs on the scalp in the hair.

Seborrhea

A dermatological disease that occurs as a result of disruption of the natural secretion of the sebaceous glands and changes in the composition of sebum. Against the background of an increase in the volume of secretion produced, pathogenic microorganisms multiply rapidly, which becomes the cause of the development of pathology.

Among the characteristic symptoms of the pathology are areas with peeling on the head in the hair of an adult or child, the formation of white scales, and inflammatory elements.

Provoking factors include weakening of the body's protective function, chronic stress, obesity, facial neuritis, Parkinson's disease, ischemia, and epilepsy.

Psoriasis

The disease has an infectious etiology and develops not only on the head and under the hair, but also in other areas of the body. The reason why scabs appear is a feature of the immune system, which accelerates the process of renewal of the cellular composition.

The disease is characterized by the appearance of scales and scabs, which peel off over time. Itching syndrome is also present. The use of special shampoos improves the general condition.

Allergic reaction

Scabs and other growths on the head appear against the background of an allergic reaction that occurs:

if proper nutrition is not followed;
when using products that are not suitable for your skin type, including shampoo and masks;
when dyeing hair with dyes containing chemical components that are intolerable to the body.

At the initial stage, the allergic reaction is characterized by the appearance of areas of redness and swelling. Next, small wounds with purulent contents appear, which are covered with crusts. There is an itching syndrome.

Fungal pathologies

Photo-symptoms characteristic of fungal infection of the epidermis are areas with peeling, itching, which is present on a constant basis. Pathological lesions quickly increase in size and yellow crusts form on the surface. In addition, hair breaks off and falls out at the roots.

Eczema

If scabs appear on the head, itching in certain areas, this may indicate the development of eczema. There are areas with peeling on the face, in the cervical region, and behind the ear.

If you constantly scratch pathological areas, the risk of secondary infections increases.

Pediculosis

If the head is covered with crusts and itches, these may be symptoms of lice. The disease is caused by lice, which irritate the skin when bitten. Due to constant scratching, the epidermis is injured, which causes the pathological areas to cover with crusts.

Shingles

Scabs on the head of an adult and itching are clinical manifestations of herpes zoster. Specific neoplasms form along the affected nerve, which become covered with dense yellow crusts as the disease progresses. The growths are localized on one side of the head or face.

Ringworm

The disease occurs with the appearance of dry, scaly growths that itch. In addition, hair loss and itching syndrome are present. In some cases, areas of flaking appear that resemble dandruff.

Lichen planus

Pathology develops due to damage to the skin by fungal microorganisms. New growths on the epidermis appear in the form of a rash or small spots with clear boundaries, reddish or brown. There is an itching syndrome.

Eosinophilic folliculitis

The pathology has an unclear etiology and develops in individuals suffering from acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). The appearance of papules is observed near the hair follicles in the upper half of the body: on the skin of the face, neck, and limbs. There is severe itching.

Demodicosis

Scabs on the head of an adult or child may appear due to the activity of demodex, a subcutaneous mite. For a long time, the pathogen does not manifest itself in any way, but when the immune system weakens, it becomes more active, causing characteristic symptoms: the formation of pimples, blackheads, ulcers, redness that itch.

How to get rid of dandruff and itchy scalp

Before you get rid of itching and dandruff on your head, you need to establish the root cause of the unpleasant condition. This is only possible with a doctor who first prescribes laboratory tests. Based on the results, he selects the optimal set of therapeutic agents. The patient needs to strengthen the immune system, normalize metabolism, and deal with stressful situations.

Drug therapy

Your doctor will tell you how to treat irritation. If your scalp itches severely due to dandruff, it is recommended to use shampoos, ointments, and tablet forms:

Nizoral (with ketoconazole) is an antimycotic agent. Can be used by both adults and babies. By acting on the fungus, the shampoo simultaneously eliminates all associated symptoms - itching, flaking. Apply it to the scalp three times a week, leave it on for 5 minutes, and rinse it off. Analogues - Dermazol, Kenazol, Ketoconazole, Perhotal.
Sulsena (with selenium disulfide) is an antifungal peeling shampoo. Suppresses the proliferation of fungus, reduces excessive sebum production. Relieves severe itching and removes stubborn dandruff well. The product is also used up to 3 times a week, but left on the head for 3 minutes. Analogues - Sulsen No. 1, Sulsen Forte, Mirolla Sulsen.
Pills. Nystatin, Ketoconazole, Mycozoral destroy the fungus. Sedasen, Persen, Novopassit are prescribed when the cause of symptoms is permanent stress. If digestive problems are the cause of dandruff and itching, Pancreatin is prescribed.
Antiseptic and antifungal ointments - salicylic, Sebozol, sulfuric, zinc. They are distinguished by their low price but effective therapeutic effect.

Other anti-dandruff products include: Mycozoral, Alerana, Keto Plus, Psorilom, Salicylic, Seborin, Sebiprox, Fitoval, Friderm Tar shampoos, and regular tar soap. During treatment, other local cosmetics for the scalp are taboo.

Folk remedies

Hair covered in dandruff is a reason to try traditional medicine recipes. Pros: harmless, low cost of components. Disadvantages - rare but possible allergic reactions, ineffectiveness of therapy in serious cases.

These remedies are used as an addition to traditional treatment.

Itchy scalp is treated with oils, masks, decoctions and infusions:

Sea buckthorn, olive or burdock oil. They are applied to the scalp 1-2 times a week, insulated with a cap or towel, and washed off with shampoo after 30-60 minutes. Such masks effectively remove exfoliated particles, stop the proliferation of fungus, and relieve itching. The course is from 3 weeks to a month.
Butter with kefir. Separate one yolk, add 1 tbsp. l. castor oil, 4 tbsp. l. curdled milk, yogurt or kefir. After thorough mixing, apply to the skin. Put on a warming cap for 2 hours. Also wash off with shampoo. The procedure is done regularly - twice a week.
Aloe, orange. Use juice: 2 tsp. agave, half as much - freshly prepared citrus. Add a crushed clove of garlic and yolk. Rub the product into the head, insulate it, and go to bed. Wash off in the morning.
Mustard powder. It is diluted to the consistency of sour cream, applied to the head, and left for 20 minutes. For oily hair, wash it off with shampoo; dry hair does not require it.

Decoctions of chamomile, nettle sage, and burdock roots are no less useful as rinses. 2 tbsp. l. individual herbs or a mixture of them are steamed with 200 ml of boiling water, wrapped, and left for 60 minutes. This product does not require rinsing.

Alternative Methods

Dandruff on the head accompanied by itching requires additional therapeutic measures:

Massage. Helps quickly normalize blood circulation and eliminate stagnation in the lymphatic system. This type of physiotherapy can be done independently. Cryomassage - exposure to cold (liquid nitrogen) - increases local immunity, improves nutrition of the follicles.
Darsonvalization is a hardware method in which microcirculation of lymph and blood is enhanced under the influence of high-frequency current. The procedure is prescribed for oily scalp, dandruff, itching, and baldness. Before purchasing a home appliance, you should consult your doctor, as there are contraindications.
Vitamin therapy (A, E, B, D) is indicated for hypo-, avitaminosis. Doctors prescribe zinc and sulfur preparations, they can prescribe complexes - Perfectil, Pantogar, etc. Choosing vitamins on your own is not a good idea, this is the prerogative of doctors.
Treatment with hormones is usually prescribed for severe forms of seborrhea, complicated by severe itching and a large number of skin scales.

In addition to these methods, laser, infrared and magnetic radiation (MIL) are used to stimulate local blood circulation; ozone therapy, which saturates tissues with oxygen and normalizes metabolism.

ethnoscience

Treatment for an aesthetic problem such as dandruff usually takes quite a long time. You cannot do without the help of a doctor in treating the disease. But in addition to medicinal methods, including the use of both oral medications and topical agents, folk remedies for dandruff and itchy scalp are also used as additional treatment. They, of course, cannot cure the disease itself, but they will noticeably alleviate its symptoms. The best properties that help in the fight against dry seborrhea are noted by both specialists and their patients in the following compositions prepared according to folk recipes:

In the event that dandruff appears and the head begins to itch, trichologists recommend using an onion mask. This remedy, in addition to fighting seborrhea, strengthens brittle and weakened hair, as well as its bulbs located in the thickness of the skin layer.
In this case, a medicinal composition prepared on the basis of cinchona peel is also irreplaceable. To prepare it, 2 teaspoons of dry crushed quinine are mixed with a spoon of castor oil, half a glass of apple cider vinegar and two drops of rose oil. The resulting mixture should be rubbed into the scalp at least twice a day (morning and evening).
Alcohol tincture of aloe has also proven its high effectiveness. It not only relieves a person from seborrhea in the shortest possible time, but also helps strengthen the hair roots.

Recipes that have helped people get rid of dandruff from time immemorial are also best taken from a specialist who deals with skin problems, and not on the Internet. This is due to the fact that sometimes on the Internet you can find methods of preparing mixtures that not only will not get rid of the problem, but will also aggravate it, and also increase hair loss. That is why the problem of dandruff should only be solved together with a doctor.

How long can treatment take?

The timing depends on the reasons that caused these symptoms:

if the appearance of dandruff is associated with an allergy to new care products, it disappears immediately after stopping their use;
the results of antifungal shampoos and folk remedies are visible after a week or two;
after a month, significant progress in treatment is noted, but it cannot be stopped on its own;
if there is a lot of dandruff and your head itches, it will take 3-6 months to completely get rid of the symptoms;
when additional physiotherapeutic procedures are prescribed, their recommended number is 10-20.

Possible complications

If dandruff with itching is not treated, then the result of inaction will be hair loss. More often this affects men who are not so sensitive to their appearance. One cannot ignore psychological problems, because debilitating itching is the cause of complexes and neuroses that complicate a person’s life.

The very fact of the appearance of dandruff indicates systemic changes that have occurred in the body.

The lack of adequate timely therapy will lead to dermatitis, which will require urgent intervention by a trichologist. Seborrhea, left unattended, subsequently transforms into infections - bacterial or fungal.

Prevention of dandruff

It is better to prevent unpleasant itchy scalp and dandruff than to deal with annoying problems for six months:

When choosing shampoo, masks and dyes, it is better to look towards hypoallergenic, natural products that contain a minimum amount of harmful ingredients.
Self-massage of the head and regular washing will improve the functioning of the glands, eliminate lymph stagnation, and improve blood circulation.
Lifeless hair covered in dandruff is a dubious decoration. Therefore, frequent use of a hot hair dryer, straighteners, and hot rollers should be avoided. Room temperature for drying is optimal.
Nutrition correction. Maximizing the amount of vegetables and fruits, avoiding fatty foods, sweets, and alcohol is an important step to combat dandruff.
Proper sleep and wakefulness, physical exercise, and lack of stress will protect you from many health problems.
At the slightest discomfort or itching of the head, an early visit to the doctor is necessary.

What to do if itching without dandruff

Itching and dandruff are not always constant companions. In the absence of scales on the head, the culprits of painful discomfort may be inappropriate shampoo or too frequent washing of hair using very hot water. Products for sensitive skin - shampoos, serums, sprays and masks with organic compositions - will help get rid of itching caused by these reasons.

Allergies, lice, problems in the endocrine system, and neurological problems often cause painful sensations. Therefore, an unbearable symptom is a signal to visit a doctor. He will tell you how to get rid of an itchy scalp quickly and without consequences. It is also recommended to ask a trichologist or dermatologist about a suitable washing product, since irritation is often provoked by “healthy” shampoos that do not contain sodium lauryl sulfate.

Head massage

Head massage:

improves blood circulation;
restores the functioning of skin cells;
improves well-being.

The duration of the massage does not take more than 15 minutes. Trichologists recommend using this method 2 times a week. It is necessary to do a massage before washing your hair - it stimulates the production of sebum and leads to rapid contamination of the hair.

The following movements allow you to warm up the skin - smooth stroking of the head without putting pressure on it. With your fingers spread out, you need to move in a circle, trying to cover the entire area of your head. Your hands should rest on your thumbs. Having placed the pads of your fingers on your head, you need to make pushing movements. The massage ends with a relaxing pat on the head.