Why Does My Scalp Itch?

An itchy scalp is never fun or comfortable. Guessing what is causing it wrongly can leave you with a treatable problem - untreated. Here are a few things that could be causing that itch. Don’t just scratch. Find out and nip it in the bud.

Dandruff

Dandruff is usually the first assumption when your scalp starts to itch. Many times that assumption is correct. It’s a common scalp condition that is not caused by poor hygiene like many people think. Dandruff is caused by your skin cells being shed faster than normal. The oil from your scalp causes those skin cells to clump together, causing what we see as dandruff - the small pieces of dry skin flaking off of your scalp. If you have dark hair or wearing dark colors, you may see this dry skin in your hair or on your shoulders.

Head Lice

The first sign of head lice is usually itching. Lice are small bugs that live in human hair and feed on your blood. The itching is caused by lice biting on your scalp. They don’t fly or jump, they’re actually spread when people put their heads together or share anything that touches their head, including, hats, combs and brushes. Like dandruff, it has nothing to do with hygiene and can be gotten rid of.

Bed Bugs

Bedbugs are small wingless insects that feed on blood, like Head Lice. But unlike Head Lice, in your home they like sofas, bed mattresses, and other soft furnishings. Also different from Head Lice is they do jump and don’t have a preference to your scalp. Bed bugs are most likely to be spread through luggage, backpacks, briefcases, mattresses, and used furniture. Because of the way they get from home to home, they are also not a sign of dirty environments.

Dry Scalp

Sometimes an itchy scalp is just a dry scalp. Like the rest of your skin, your scalp also needs to be moisturized when it gets dry. Some people moisturize daily to prevent dry skin from happening. Using oils, like Moringa, can give your scalp the moisture it needs and prevent or combat your itches.