A healthy scalp plays a major role in healthy hair, and an itchy scalp usually means something is amiss. Itchy scalps are a complex issue and can be caused by a host of things, ranging from not washing out your shampoo thoroughly to an allergic reaction to a hair product. We’re breaking down what can contribute to an itchy scalp, which products can help relieve symptoms and how to know when it’s time to visit a board-certified dermatologist for professional treatment. Read on for the lowdown on what causes an itchy scalp, including:

• Dry scalp

• Dandruff

• Eczema

• Psoriasis

• Product buildup

• Allergic reaction

• Lice

• Precancerous lesions

Why does my scalp itch? 8 common causes of itchy scalp

1) Dry scalp

Increased exposure to the cold, winter elements can wreak havoc on our skin and our scalp. Frigid temperatures, chilly wind and indoor heating decrease the skin’s natural moisture levels, which can make the scalp feel itchy, dry and tight. Make sure to wear a hat to protect from dry scalp when you venture outside during chilly, winter months.

To remedy your symptoms, choose shampoos, conditioners and hair treatments that exfoliate the scalp and infuse it with moisture. Look for ingredients like argan oil or avocado oil to provide moisture and search for calming ingredients like aloe vera and eucalyptus to cool and soothe itching. PHYTO Phytopolleine Botanical Scalp Treatment is a botanically based oil that helps eliminate excess sebum and balance oil production in your scalp with oils derived from rosemary, lemon, cypress seed and sage.

2) Dandruff

Dandruff has become a universal term for any flaking of the scalp, but in fact, it’s a condition all its own called seborrheic dermatitis. It causes redness, itching and yellow-ish flaking of the scalp. A scalp with seborrheic dermatitis is often more oily than dry.

“One cause of dandruff is overgrowth of a very common yeast called malassezia,” says LovelySkin CEO Dr. Joel Schlessinger, board-certified dermatologist, Mohs surgeon and cosmetic surgeon. “Men are more likely to have dandruff due to certain male hormones, and those that don’t shampoo their hair often enough can also experience dandruff.”

To control dandruff, look for hair care products that contain pyrithione zinc, an anti-fungal ingredient that helps control the growth of malassezia and also helps remove buildup on the scalp and unclog hair follicles. Vanicream Dandruff Shampoo contains 2% pyrithione zinc, the maximum level available in an over-the-counter formula.

3) Eczema

If your itchy scalp feels dry, scaly or inflamed, it might be caused by eczema. “Staph bacteria can also co-exist with eczema or cause a secondary infection, so using a treatment with a small amount of sodium hypochlorite, or bleach, can help resolve symptoms,” Dr. Joel Schlessinger says. For an itchy scalp caused by eczema, CLn Shampoo combines sodium hypochlorite with gentle cleansing agents to help improve eczema symptoms on the scalp every time you wash your hair.

Another itchy scalp remedy that works especially well for bald or shaved heads is Noble Formula Bar Soap. This gentle cleanser helps clear eczema flare-ups with a combination of pyrithione zinc, ground oatmeal, calendula-infused olive oil and emu oil.

4) Psoraisis

If the flakes coming from your scalp appear powdery and silver in color, you may have scalp psoriasis. Psoriasis is an autoimmune condition that typically presents on the scalp, elbows, knees and lower back. These itchy, scaly patches on the skin can be triggered by stress, diet, alcohol use, allergies, medications or genetics.

“Treating psoriasis on the scalp is tricky because people react differently to treatments, and psoriasis symptoms can range from mild to more severe,” Dr. Joel Schlessinger says. “Mild psoriasis symptoms can come and go and often respond to shampoos and treatments that contain ingredients like coal tar and salicylic acid. If you are experiencing more severe psoriasis symptoms, it’s important to talk to a board-certified dermatologist who can provide more intensive treatment recommendations like steroid injections, prescription topical treatments and in some cases, antibiotics.”

To help control the symptoms of scalp psoriasis, look for shampoos and treatments with coal tar. This tried-and-true ingredient works by slowing down the growth of skin cells while simultaneously facilitating the shedding of the top layer of skin, making plaques and scales easier to remove. It also helps control itchy scalp symptoms. Salicylic acid can also help as it works as a chemical exfoliator that dissolves the bonds that bind dead skin cells and psoriasis plaques to the surface of the skin. Tarsum Relief Shampoo contains 2% coal tar to help diminish scaling and flaking as well as salicylic acid to help control oiliness. You can use it like a regular shampoo or apply it to a dry scalp for up to an hour before shampooing for a more intense treatment.

5) Product buildup

Failure to thoroughly rinse out your shampoo or overuse of styling products can also cause a buildup on your scalp, causing it to itch and flake. Hair will feel lifeless, appear dull and there will be flakes near the shaft of the hair follicle. To help remedy product buildup, try using a scalp exfoliator such as Rene Furterer Head Spa Purifying Scrub Detox. Intended to be applied to your scalp before shampooing, this scrub contains sea salt and charcoal powder to remove dead skin, oil, dirt and product buildup to help improve skin cell turnover on your scalp. From here on out, take the time to thoroughly rinse out your shampoo and daily styling products to prevent buildup from taking hold again in the future.

6) Allergic reaction

If you experience burning or peeling of the scalp, the issue may be caused by an allergic skin reaction called contact dermatitis. In some cases, harsh ingredients in your styling products can irritate and inflame the scalp, which leads to excessive dryness and itchiness. If you suspect this is the case, discontinue using your styling products until you pinpoint which one is giving you trouble. In the meantime, you can soothe itchy spots with FixMySkin 1% Hydrocortisone Healing Body Balm. This medicated balm penetrates your skin deeply to lessen scalp itch with hydrocortisone and soothe irritation with cocoa and shea butters.

“Allergens in hair products can also cause symptoms other than an itchy scalp,” says Dr. Daniel Schlessinger, board-certified dermatologist as well as Mohs surgeon and cosmetic surgeon. “I recently studied the effects of cetrimonium bromide, a popular ingredient used in conditioner to reduce frizz, and found that allergy to it may be linked to frontal fibrosing alopecia, which causes hair loss from the eyebrows and frontal hairline.”

7) Head lice

If you have an itchy scalp and can’t pinpoint any other symptoms, it may be a good idea to rule out head lice. “Though lice is most common in school-aged children because it can spread quickly in the classroom and at sleepovers, anyone with hair can get lice at any age,” Dr. Joel Schlessinger says. “The primary symptom is an itchy scalp because your body is having an allergic reaction from lice bites.” Because adult lice are so small (about the size of a sesame seed) and their eggs (called nits) are even smaller, a case might be hard to spot early on. If you’re still experiencing an itchy scalp after trying two courses of an over-the-counter topical treatment, consider making an appointment to see a board-certified dermatologist, who can determine whether a prescription-strength treatment is necessary.

8) Precancerous lesions or skin cancer

If you’ve noticed a spot on your scalp that’s itchy, rough or crusty and has not healed with time, your next step should be to make an appointment with a board-certified dermatologist to determine if it is a normal mole or freckle versus skin cancer. “Precancerous and cancerous spots can develop on your scalp from years of sun exposure, and people with bald or shaved heads are especially at risk,” says Dr. Daniel Schlessinger says. “Your dermatologist can take a look at any spots of concern and determine whether it’s a regular mole or something that should be biopsied to check for cancerous cells.”

Are you curious about the benefits of argan oil for your hair and scalp? You can learn more about this beneficial ingredient on the LovelySkin Blog.