Dry, itchy scalp guide: Causes, symptoms and treatment

Published: January 2015

Last Reviewed: October 2024

A dry, itchy scalp can be uncomfortable, irritating and can often be a cause of annoyance & discontent. Many people experience skin irregularities on their scalp, and these irregularities have both internal and external causes. In this article, we discuss the causes of dry, itchy scalps and then present potential solutions to this issue.

When your scalp’s natural moisture balance is disturbed, an itchy scalp is often the result. This occurs when the skin on your scalp loses to much water or moisture which often causes itching and flaking. In extreme cases, you will find it difficult ignore these uncomfortable sensations, however mild cases could go unnoticed for a while. If you need to scratch your scalp even sporadically, check for other symptoms to ensure there are no underlying scalp disturbances. Remember, most of our scalps are covered so we can’t always rely on what we see, as we would with our faces. 

There are numerous reasons why you may develop a dry scalp. The weather, age, and a reaction to certain hair products may play a role in drying out the scalp. This is known as contact dermatitis, which is common among people who dye their hair regularly. Sometimes, more serious and complex conditions can also cause a dry scalp. 

Remember most of our scalps are covered so we can’t always rely on what we see, as we would with our faces. A dry, itchy scalp can be associated with ageing and skin conditions, including atopic dermatitis or psoriasis, and the symptoms range from very mild to extreme. 

 

If your itchy scalp is not severe, you might not see a reason to investigate treatments for it. Our scalps tend to be less understood compared to facial skin, so people often put less effort into optimising our routine and health of this area. It is important to find the root cause of why your scalp itches, so that you can choose the most suitable treatment. Once this is addressed, you should be able to relieve your itchy scalp symptoms. 

Poor scalp health can prevent proper hair growth and is associated with hair loss, thinning and breakage.

This can also happen because of product buildup from not cleansing our scalps properly. Remember, optimal hair health starts at the root! The scalp is where our hair starts, so a healthy scalp will lead to the best hair growth.

As you will find out by reading on, skin health can be affected by scalp problems, and stubborn skin issues could link back to scalp health. For example, fungal overgrowth on the scalp could cause fungal acne which often gets mistaken for other types of acne which require different treatments. Fungal acne is a condition that needs to be treated by a medical professional.

Ensuring your scalp is healthy means you can avoid dry skin and possible skin conditions arising from poor skin health in the future.

A dry scalp can appear at any age, and there are plenty of potential reasons this might occur for a person. It could be health or general hygiene-related, which is usually the case, but it can also be caused by internal factors such as physical or emotional stress. 

There are a variety of causes for a dry, itchy scalp so it is important to figure this out first so you can choose the correct dry scalp treatment and avoid exasperating the problem more.

• Atopic dermatitis: Redness and scaliness on scalp that can often itch and sometimes consist of a burning sensation. A dermatologist should be able to help you with the correct treatment for this type of skin condition.
• Scalp Psoriasis: Red patches and flaking of the scalp that can cause an intense itch. Psoriasis is a chronic condition that can be managed with treatment like medication, ointments and creams.
• Dandruff: Flakes of dry scalp that appear in the hair. Excess oil can cause dandruff which can also cause the scalp to itch.
• Hives: A rash of itchy red bumps that can appear all over your body, including the scalp. Hives typically comes and goes within a few hours. If they persist however, especially on the scalp, you should seek advice from a dermatologist who can offer treatment.
• Neuropathy: Deep scarring can cause nerve damage and this damage can result in  a severely itchy scalp. This is usually the case if you have an intensely itchy scalp without signs of a rash.
• Skin cancer: You may develop an itch due to skin cancer cells developing on your scalp.
• Reaction to hair product such as shampoo: A scalp can be irritated, dry and itchy if shampoo is not rinsed off properly. If you notice your scalp is itchy and has developed a rash, you may have a condition called allergic contact dermatitis which is common amongst people who dye their hair.
• Scalp ringworm: A fungal infection of the skin which can cause red or silver rashes on the scalp which may also be dry and itchy. This can spread very easily between people and by sharing objects such as hats and brushes.
• Excessive histamine build up in the scalp
• Age: The older you get, the dryer your skin becomes. This means you could be more susceptible to dry skin on scalp.
• Physical or emotional stress
• Genetic factors
• Hormonal changes: Higher than usual levels of oestrogen as well as reduced levels of oestrogen during menopause can affect the skin.

• Changes in temperature or seasons
• Lifestyle factors, such as poor diet or smoking
• Reaction to medication
• Environmental pollution
• Allergic reactions to cosmetic shampoos, soaps and hair treatments

Whilst an itchy scalp can be a condition, it can also be a symptom of another condition. It is important to distinguish between the two to treat the condition at the root.

Some people have even reported scratching in their sleep. This can be due to a lack of diamine oxidase caused by higher levels of oestrogen. This is an enzyme that supports the breakdown of histamine. Histamine is a chemical that your immune system releases. This can be triggered by allergic, inflammatory and immune reactions which causes itching in some people, such as being bitten by insects and touching stinging nettles. If there is a severe build-up of histamine, it can lead to constant itching of the scalp which can result in hair loss. This can also lead to a red itchy scalp if someone is often itching their scalp. 

Psoriasis can often be mistaken for a dry itchy scalp caused by dandruff, due to some symptoms both conditions share. 

• Psoriasis can often cause the skin to flake off, which can look like dandruff flakes. If you have red, scaly and silvery-looking patches on your scalp, then this is likely to be psoriasis.  
• Psoriasis is a long-lasting condition, whereas dandruff often comes and goes overtime.  
• Both conditions can leave the scalp red and itchy, which is why it’s important to find the right treatment to address the issue. 

Eucerin DermoCapillaire Calming Urea Shampoo and Eucerin DermoCapillaire Calming Urea Scalp Treatment help to ease the symptoms of itchiness and gives your scalp the gentle cleaning and care it needs. 

If you have white flakes or yellow scales in your scalp and hair you may have dandruff or seborrheic dermatitis. Seborrheic dermatitis is a condition that is believed to be the underlying cause of dandruff in some cases and usually occurs on the scalp, face and chest. It is caused by an overgrowth of yeast called Malassezia. This yeast lives naturally on your skin and feeds off sebum produced by the skin.   
 
Build-up of these oils can therefore lead to an imbalance of this yeast leading to inflammation, itchiness and flaking. Dandruff usually refers to the less inflamed instances, whilst seborrheic dermatitis usually has more severe inflammation causing the symptoms to be heightened. 

There are some key differences between dandruff and a dry scalp that can be identified by checking the appearance of the flakes and the scalp itself. Dandruff flakes typically are bigger and have an oilier appearance, whereas dry scalp will look scalier or crusty in comparison. Additionally, dry skin flakes are smaller and drier than dandruff flakes.  

Both conditions can cause an itchy scalp, which can sometimes make it difficult to differentiate between the two. 

As mentioned earlier on in the article, a dry and itchy scalp can also be caused if the scalp has an allergic reaction to a substance, such as in hair products like shampoos and hair dyes. This skin reaction is non-allergic but can also be an allergic reaction if you are allergic to a specific ingredient in the hair product.  

It occurs when an irritant damages the skin’s outer protective later. If contact dermatitis causes a red rash on the scalp, this should be reviewed by a medical professional as it will likely need treatment.

Though the conditions seem completely different from one another, rosacea and seborrheic dermatitis can often occur together. They are both inflammatory and cause red, itchy patches of skin but have different causes. If you think you might have seborrheic dermatitis, ensure you look out for rosacea symptoms too.  
 
Rosacea can manifest in many ways and whilst some people experience hot flushed patches of skin others might have acne-resembling pustules. The main symptoms that differentiate rosacea from a dry, itchy scalp and seborrheic dermatitis is that rosacea symptoms will only occur on the face, which often presents a stinging or burning sensation.

Whichever rosacea type you have, be careful to only use the gentlest products in these areas. Though it can be tempting to treat pustules like acne, they are highly sensitive and harsh skincare ingredients can cause further flare-ups.

Since dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis is due to a yeast overgrowth, this can extend to symptoms on the face, like fungal acne. Fungal acne shares many similarities with other types of acne; however, its treatment is very different. If you try and address fungal acne with common acne treatments like antibiotics, it could exasperate the problem. Anti-fungal medication can be prescribed by your doctor to help alleviate the problem.

Once your scalp’s natural moisture is lost, its protective layer can become compromised. This allows harmful substances to penetrate the skin, leading to microinflammation of the scalp. 

These microinflammations can cause your scalp to become even more irritated, leading to itching, redness and a sensation of tautness. This can usually result in the thinning of your hair or in more severe cases, substantial loss of hair. 

Microinflammations are mild inflammations of the skin. They’re so mild, in fact, that even clinical testing won’t pick them up. But if we study skin tissue that has been affected by microinflammations, we can detect the presence of inflammatory immune cells – in other words, the skin is responding to irritation with inflammation and thereby attempting to repair itself. If these skin cells are then subjected to further irritation, the skin can flip into a 'true' inflammatory response.

There’s growing evidence that microinflammations of the scalp are involved in most common scalp disorders, from thinning hair and dandruff to scalp dryness, itchiness and sensitivity.

If you experience sudden hair loss or brittle hair, you may have an underlying health problem, such as thyroid disease, iron deficiency or an autoimmune disease. Some medications can also cause hair loss. Contact a dermatologist in all instances to get further information.

There are many shampoos available for a dry, itchy scalp. Dry scalp treatment typically consists of using a mild shampoo to soothe and moisturise a dry or itchy scalp. Our medicated itchy scalp shampoo and dry, flaky scalp treatment can help relieve your itchy head. 

Treating an itchy scalp with shampoos is considered one of the most effective ways to offer comfort and soothe the skin on the scalp. 

Eucerin DermoCapillaire Calming Urea Shampoo is a mild shampoo that is ideal for dry, itchy skin which moisturises and gently cleanses the scalp while soothing itchiness.  Dermatological and clinical studies prove very good efficacy and tolerability of this product on dry skin, atopic dermatitis and even on psoriasis. Eucerin DermoCapillaire Calming Urea Shampoo is suitable for daily use. 

Dermatological and clinical studies prove efficacy and very good tolerability on very sensitive, dry & itchy scalp after using the Eucerin DermoCapillaire Calming Urea Scalp Treatment, whilst also making your hair softer and giving it a healthy shine.

Relieving a dry itchy scalp is most effective when using a treatment option that targets the itching and redness accompanied with the itching. The Eucerin DermoCapillaire Calming Urea Scalp Treatment is ideal for the relief of red, itchy skin on the scalp as it provides a calming effect when applied.

It's recommended that you wash your hair around two to three times a week if you have a dry scalp. However, this will depend on how dry your scalp is. Shampooing once a week is also recommended for very dry scalps, as this can allow the natural oils your hair produces to build-up and nourish your scalp. 

You should aim to condition your hair around three to four times a week if you have particularly dry hair or a dry scalp. It's recommended to use a moisturising conditioner so that your scalp and hair can stay hydrated whilst soothing your dry scalp. 

Extremely dry and hot (or cold) air can cause a dry and itchy scalp, so it’s important to not use a hair dryer too frequently or for too long. The heat from a hair dryer can irritate the scalp by putting strain on it, as well as potentially damage the hair follicles.

Once your itchy scalp is successfully treated you will want to pick up good scalp care habits to prevent the problem from coming back. Seborrheic dermatitis and dandruff are both reoccurring conditions and neglecting your scalp health can trigger it to come back. Here are some tips to keeping your scalp happy and healthy.  

• Check your haircare ingredients: Harsh haircare ingredients could aggravate or dry out the scalp, causing a sebum imbalance leading to either a dry and itchy scalp or yeast overgrowth.  
• Use anti-dandruff shampoo: though it might not be necessary with every wash, anti-dandruff shampoo can be great for targeting the Malassezia yeast which causes the itchiness. It can also help alleviate facial skin symptoms as the yeast lives both on the scalp and skin.  
• Wash hair more (or less): if you don’t wash your hair regularly, you’ll likely experience product and sebum build up on your scalp. Malassezia yeast will feed off this and grow causing you more issues. On the other hand, washing hair too often with harsh products could strip the scalp of natural oils and cause your body to compensate by overproducing sebum. 
• Shampoo twice: ensure you aren’t skipping the second round of shampooing when you wash your hair as this is important for getting scalp and hair thoroughly cleaned. The first wash lifts dirt, product and sebum build up whilst the second shampoo washes it from the hair.  
• Exfoliate scalp: using a bamboo or shampoo brush or a gentle chemical scalp exfoliant is a great way to prevent clogged hair follicles and keeping your scalp clean and flake free. 
• Get a hard water filter: if you live in an area with hard water, the extra minerals can build up on your scalp and irritate it leading to dryness, itching and flaking. These filters will remove some of the minerals and help skin and hair stay soft and hydrated.  

Dry scalp skin and seborrheic dermatitis in babies is common and often referred to as cradle cap. It usually improves on its own within a year. If the problem persists, doctors might prescribe mild steroid creams or anti-fungal treatment. It often appears as dry, scaly patches and is essentially dandruff for infants.

Baby eczema or baby dermatitis is a condition that causes symptoms like patches of dry, red and itchy skin with a rough texture. As such, this condition can be confused or mistaken for cradle cap, which is primarily on the scalp and tends to be less reddened.  

Always seek advice from a medical professional if your baby has dry and itchy skin. 

If you are still seeing symptoms of a dry scalp after trying new shampoos or treatments, it may be advisable to seek medical advice from a dermatologist who specialises in scalp issues. Your dermatologist may be able to assist if you develop symptoms on the scalp such as: 

• Swollen or painful to the touch 
• Red rashes or having a red itchy scalp
• Constant itching 

 Seeing a medical professional when new symptoms is beneficial when finding the underlying cause and ruling out any other skin conditions you may have.