I've always had a problem with a flaky itchy scalp, but could keep it under control by switching shampoos a lot and sometimes using a medicated shampoo, but suddenly *nothing* works and it is driving me mental - does anyone know of something that could help????????
x
V

After shampooing try rinsing with a couple of pints of redbush tea with a splash of cider vinegar.

Hint:- make the tea with boiling water as usual but let it cool for a couple of hours before pouring it over your head!

I've decided to cut all sugar out of my diet as well... just in case that makes a difference - anyone know a good tonic to help speed up the detox process?

I am so not looking forward to the side effects of this withdrawal. I've been eating sugar like it was going out of fashion recently!
x
V

I had a similar problem until, a few years ago now, I had a good look at my diet. I stopped having biscuits with my coffee at lunchtime and had a wee pack of raisins instead. Morning and afternoon teabreak I started having brazil nuts, sunflower seeds and dried apricots (the non-sulphurs ones are sooo sweet and yummy). Lunchtime I had a whole avocado with my ham salad. Always had a bottle of water nearby (easily drank three 500ml bottles without really noticing).
The itchy head thing disappeared (though that wasn't my reason for doing it). With hindsight I'd say it helped because I added more good fats to my diet with the avocado and the nuts and seeds. The water wouldn't have done any harm either. Replacing the biscuits with something sweet also made the sugar withdrawal easier. It was just a few wee tweaks to my daily routine but the difference to my health was quite dramatic.

If you want to kick start your body into detox, pick some dandelion leaves and add them to some mixed salad leaves. We've been doing that recently and it's sooo yummy. We also add wild garlic leaves to the salad when we can get it and make nettle soup. If you've got a garden with dandelions in it, try putting a black bucket (or something) over them until they go all white and yellow. It tastes just like that curly endive stuff.

You can make a tea with the dandelions and nettles too if you want. Stick a load in the teapot - boiling water - lid on - let it steep. Drink it hot or, if you don't like the taste, let it cool then dilute it down with cold water till you can't really taste it. Stick in a bottle so's you can carry it with you and drink it throughout the day.

With the detox thing though, be aware that, if your body's not ready it for it, it could make it worse before it gets better. Go gently...

Hope that helps and Good Luck with the sugar thing.

Tilia's advice is excellent, also I would consider using nettles as a rinse, as they are great for dandruff. I'd also avoid all proprietry brands od shampoo for a bit. There are many shampoo recipes online, and links on the Forum for recipes crafts here.

It might even be worth considering not washing your hair for a while? This sounds icky, but I know folk who have embarked on this route - they have sweet smelling hair, rinsing only with water, as the body eventually balances out the production of sebum. (We make so much cos we wash it all out so often!) It takes a month or 2 for this to show results, but is worth a shot if you are suffering so badly.

It also occurs to me you might have a yeast infection? If so, this can be very hard to tackle as it involves a strict dietary regime, but if this IS the root of your problem, well worth it. Again, try the net, or a qualified herbalist.

Another cause of itching is (don't panic!) liver failure... Only really something worth considering if you take any medication that could be causing a reaction, or take a lot of alcohol?

Are you on HRT/the pill? These can cause umpteen odd side effects, and a Pharmacist can advise you about these. Paracetamol can also damage the liver.
Hope this helps! Tas.

Neat cider vinegar onto the scalp, leave for 20 minutes and rinse out. Recommended by dreading client of mine. Alternatively, this spray - although designed for dreadheads - may help. The first is cheaper though: http://www.dreadworx.co.uk/dreadbrands/kno...oolingspray.htm

Marion.
http://heathenblogging.blogspot.com/2007/0...atant-plug.html
and http://www.flickr.com/photos/86442168@N00/...57600066048469/

Another client has just started washing his hair with this unadulterated soap. Says it's really cooled his scalp. Not sure if that's just a dreadie thing or not.

Some clients don't like soap bars because they feel it's not cleaning their scalp enough. Personally I’d say that's not a bad thing - a build up of natural oils helps to condition and too little oil is as bad as too much.

There's a good range of vegan friendly shampoos called Dr. Bronners, available in both bar and liquid form. The peppermint or teatree ones may be particularly relieving for itchy scalp.

Best wishes,

Marion.

I noticed you have taken sugar out of your diet, try taking yeast out as well for a while and see how you go.

seren_gaeaf

I sometimes get this,especially during the winter months. I was told that central heating can also cause this problem by drying out the air too much and also rapid temerature changes. Try humidfying the air by leaving little bowls of water near a radiator or you can get special pots that attach to a radiator.

Don't use those shampoos that 'cleanse' your scalp scalp and remove build-up as they only strip the natural oils from your hair and they are more inclined to make your hair greasier quicker.

Avoid put a hot hair drier near your scalp. Try to let it dry naturally or use a low heat setting.

Try this:

beat an egg and add to it half a glass of vodka (helps rid the smell of egg on your hair). Rub this into your scalp and gently through the lengths of your hair, for a good 5 minutes anyway. Rinse away with water. You could add two drops of rosemary oil in your rinse too.

This is an alternative to using shampoo and it doesn't leave any smell or build-up.

Also try taking cod liver oil capsules and or evening primrose oil can help. Like the others suggested before me, have a look at your diet and get some allergy tests to find out if you are allergic to anything.

Honestly, cider vinegar, can't beat it.

It could be that your sensitive to some of the ingredients in the commonly avaliable shampoo and conditioners.
Maybe try the sodium laurth sulphate free products, that stuff is similar to formaldahyde. I use jason or faith in nature and their really good. No nasty substances and all natural ingredients with no animal testing. My hair feels and looks much better since.

I suffer with this every now and again...to the point where I literally make my head bleed from all the scratching!! The more I scratch, the more it itches...like a vicious circle. Thanks for posting up all the tips everyone, next time I have a flare up, I will give them a try

~ H ~

If all else fails, use birchwater. Its a regular product here in Germany for treating that.

I suffer with psoriasis which causes dry itchy scalp (looks similar to dandruff) and bergamot essential oil is a great help when added to shampoos or conditioners
BBs Lantern_Light

Bergamot has a drying and antiseptic effect. If one has itchy or weeping skin, or even open wounds, a cooled Earl Grey teabag is brilliant when paced on the wound.

Given the rarity of the birchwater in the Uk that Quasi recommands, I wonder if an equivalent water might be an infusion of fresh rosemary and earl grey tea, allowed to cool, and used as a final rinse to the head after shampooing.

Maybe Lady Grey, it has lemon and lime essential oils in it too.

I forsee only one problem.
The major problem avoiding drinking it first as that sounds yummy

Quasi - what IS Birchwater exactly? Can one make it here? How?

Thanx - Tas

Just another thought...

Had a madingly itch scalp and was trying all sorts on it, then my son started itching too, quick check...twas headlouses, mebbe a quick flick with a nit comb too?

Q

I could not find anything about Birch water for you Tas, but did come across THIS which may be of even greater interest to you

Girlfriend get yourself to the hairdressers and buy a scalp tonic for dry scalps shampoo and conditioner I can recomend Schwartzkopf as it has been used even on psorasis and worse scalp conditons it is a great scalp therapy range. Everyone has scalp types as one in the industry myself I should know. Dry scalps it helps so so so much to massage! massage! massage! and always brush with a gentle comb before you wash your hair! Stimulates your skin cells and it stimulates dead cells. ALSO DO NOT overwash your hair as your scalp type is sensitive and dry and probably stays clean easily you should be washing your hair only twice a week. To help stop hair brakeage here is an industry tip twist your hair up and pin it instead of putting more pressure on the hair with elastics and ties. Hope this helps and really i cannot stress enough the need for a salon approved shampoo and conditioner, instead of the soap you buy at the supermarket. Much love.

I use coal tar shampoo bought in Boots for dry scapls. Poly tar, I think it's called. Or Neutragena.



do this.



Do this.



don't tie up my hair; I keep it short.




When not using polytar, I use only salon stuff. Have done for years.

Still have itchy scalp, though.

Me too!
Must try Quasi's Birch water! I think that stress doesn't help, combined with eating crap!

Hope I haven't given you a total advertisement here hope you find something that works best for your sensitive skin. I did work for an organic hairdressing salon in Australia who made their own products over in the Uk, sometimes the smallest chemicals a product can contain could react to the skin this could be as simple as a preservative. I have the same scalp type and it is hereditry in my family it's just the process of skin cells sometimes skin cells produce more rapidly. Organic hairdressing products now can extract certain natural chemicals from natural resources that will be the most beneficial to us without any secondary harsh chemicals that could burn the skin, just another idea. Of course I think some of the natural remedies would be beautiful to try too, I wouldn't just be sticking random stuff in my hair n urs is so cute .

Have sent you a PM

I once saw that on a medical TV program years ago in britain. A young woman hadn't washed her hair in one month as a test to find out if it was true, that the scalp's natural oils were sufficient enough to keep our hair clean. In the first 2 weeks it got all grotty and then it went all nice by the third week, like yours did! She has masses of long curls tho' and she look like she had just come fresh out of a salon! I must try that this summer,when I can hide the first 2 weeks of grot under a Bandana!

Thanks Woozy

Cut out booze - works for me, boring though

chickpea works wonders on itches