An itchy scalp is nothing new to the world. It is a common ailment that may be the result of a skin condition or not. Apart from discomfort of the itchiness, an itchy scalp can cause several problems including hair loss. For some people, the condition can be embarrassing. It might be socially unacceptable to scratch one’s head in public, and the fear of unattractive flakes in the hair or on the shoulders can make some self-conscious and uncomfortable.
If your hair are unmanageable and prone to itching, dry scalp may the actual culprit behind this problem. Dry scalp is actually a major threat to your hair if left untreated as it tends to cause itchiness and several related problems. dry scalp and hair loss are closely related as any scalp issue can directly affect the follicles leading to hair loss.
Dry scalp is a common skin condition where it is caused by over dryness of the scalp due to several internal and external factors. When your scalp is too dry, it can lead to flaking and itchiness. Lack of moisture can cause your hair and scalp to look lifeless and pale resulting in thin and weak hair.
Causes of Dry Scalp
In order to keep the scalp and hair moistened, little oil glands (sebaceous glands) that are located near your hair follicles excretes adequate amounts of oil consistently. The oils act as a natural lubricant that keeps your hair and scalp lively and acts as a protective layer.
However, when the oils are insufficient or stripped out no matter for what reason, your scalp and hair will start to dry. Prolonged drying will deprive your hair and scalp its natural protective barrier and exposing them to dryness. There are several reasons for this but some of the most prevailing causes of dry scalp as follows:
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Harsh or Frequent Shampooing
The most common cause of scalp dryness is using a harsh or unsuitable shampoo. Some shampoos can be quite unforgiving to your scalp especially if you are using conventional shampoos that contain lists of chemicals like Sodium Laureth Sulfate which can strip the natural oils as well as your hair.
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Too much heating
You may think that frequent blow drying is the fastest way to keep your hair dry but actually it is also one of the fastest ways to blast off all the moisture and oils from your scalp. Consistently using other heating devices like curling and flat irons can wreck havoc on your tresses and affect the amount of moisture on your hair.
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Washing with Hard Water
The water source at some places are insufficiently filtered. These are most probably due to a direct supply from a nearby lake or river without going through a treatment plant first. This water is known as hard water as it can contain high concentrations of solid minerals like Calcium and Magnesium that can accumulate on your scalp and hair. With time, these minerals suck off the moisture and oils from your scalp and hair.
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Poor Diet and Nutrition
Insufficient intake of water can hamper the normal oil secretions from your sebaceous glands. This can cause your scalp and hair to dry.
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Dry Weather
During dry seasons like winter, your scalp and skin tend to lose moisture very quickly and if you do no keep them properly lubricated, they are going to dry out pretty fast.
Treatments for Dry Scalp
When it comes to dealing with dry scalp, the following tips can do wonders to rectify the problem and give you a moistened scalp to avoid hair loss.
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Use mild shampoos and shampoo your hair only
Mild shampoos will cause less damage to your follicles and scalp as they do not strip off too much oils. Also, avoid getting the shampoo to your scalp too frequently, but instead only apply it to your hair. You can do that by applying the shampoo to your hands instead directly to your scalp. The less contact the shampoo has with your scalp, the lesser chance it can remove the much needed oils.
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Drink more water
Drink plenty of water to keep your skin fresh and let the electrolytes in your body functioning. In turn it will also keep your scalp and hair fresh and hydrated. To keep your body moistened, drink at least 8 cups of water everyday and cut down on caffeinated drinks like coffee.
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Don’t wash frequently
Over-washing your hair is a common mistake that most people make which eventually cause your scalp and hair to dry out. Frequent washing and shampooing will also wash away the oils and moisture from your hair and scalp. Limit your hair wash up to thrice a week until it is really necessary.
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Slow down the heat
When it comes to using styling products, make sure that the curlers or irons are not too hot. Besides that, do not point the blower directly to your scalp and keep it at least 5-6 inches away from your hair.
These are a few preventive methods that can help keep your scalp from drying unnecessarily.
