Itchy scalp

Diana · Itchy scalp

Anyone got any ideas how to ease/calm an itchy scalp? It's driving me mad!!!!

I have psorisis (sp), so am pretty careful what I use anyway.

kimmie

hi diana, put a little gentle facial scrub in your hair(body scrubs are too abrasive), you want an aloe vera or one for very dry skin,
Massage into your scalp(dont be rough, you only want to loosen the dry skin) leave for two mins, and wash out with a ginger shampoo(or manuka if you can get it), rinse and re wash, but this time leave shampoo for two mins before you rinse, use a leave in conditioner, if you want a conditioner, afterwards.

if you do this twice a week it will be less irritable, but not an over night solution i am afraid.

hope this helps!

baldowrie

doctor told me that omega3 fish oils are good for psoriasis. So after you have calmed it down externally try internally

Diana

Thanks for the help - will see what I can find next time I'm out

Fia

Sunshine is brilliant for psoriasis too. So not tying your hair up, or having it very short, and eschewing hats can help enormously in the summer, provided you are careful not to get burned.

Diana

Yes the sun does help the psoriasis, but it's not that that's causing the itchy scalp just now.

What about tea tree - can't remember what that's good for, but know you get it in a lot of shampoos.

Are there any herbs that might be useful? Internally or externally?

Fia

Tea tree is in many shampoos as it is fabulously antiseptic and some think it keeps away headlice.

Essential oils: I would be wary of lavender in this situation though as it encourages skin growth. Chamomile could help though - diluted with some nice oil and rubbed in.

Hope you itch less very soon.

Julie

Oatmeal!!!!!
I keep mentioning this don't I

Niki had eczema occasionally when she was young and we watched a David Bellamy series in the eighties in which he mentioned how good it was. He said 'tie some in a muslin bag and hang it under the running tap as you run your bath'.
It works!
I don't see any reason why you couldn't use the same technique to make a rinse for your hair D? It leaves the skin beautifully soft and makes a great face pack too.
When you have done with it, squeeze out the surplus water and compost the lump of oatmeal or give it to the hens. Waste not... and all that

Diana

Thanks Julie - I discovered yesterday that when something is really getting to you common sense goes flying out the window.

I've been suffering with midge bites this last fortnight and have been using chamomile or rooibos infusions/teas to sooth the itching. As I had a cup left on the side I chucked that on (soaked in before I showered and as a rinse when I's done) - really helped! I'm such a cluts some times.

Also found a recipe for a rooibos and oatmeal face pack (http://www.redbushtea.com/diet/dietinfo.asp?CatID=5) and was wondering is a runny version of that might work as a gentle scalp scrub?

kimmie

dont use t tree diana, its a natural astringent!! it is not good with dry skin of any type!. although its good in many ways it will be too strong for you, lavenda would be better, although its also an astringent but not as bad as t tree!

Diana

thanks Kimmie

TheGreenFairy

Have you considered calendula ointment?

It is easy enough to buy but I have a recipe for it as well if you would like to have it.

You may find this thread helpful

Diana

Yes, please do post the recipe (if it's not breaking copyright)

TheGreenFairy

Julie

Over on the west coast they use Bogmyrtle for midges - they don't like it apparently and they leave you alone.

fluffywelshsheep

my dad uses MUDD it's rerally good he has really bad psoriasis his knees /elbows /scalp are red raw sometimes and mum buys the bath salts and the shampoo from the MUDD range he also finds that sudacreme help him out alot too. I have found it really helps acne too

PurpleDragon

I have been using the same shampoo for years and then suddenly I thought I had head lice - my head was driving me nuts. I nearly scraped it raw with the lice comb, but I was clear. My hairdresser reckons I have developed a reaction to my shampoo, so she said use baby shampoo, apparently Asda own brand is good. I nicked some the kids shampoo and have been itch free ever since.