An itchy, sensitive scalp: causes and cures

If there is one thing we want to promote through The Curl Cast, it’s health. From mental health to physical health, it’s important to do everything you can to maintain a balanced and healthy lifestyle. Scalp health is no exception.

Growing up with curls means you’ve probably had your fair share of days or months dealing with an irritated and flaky scalp. It’s completely normal for anyone with a scalp (but especially drier textures), as scalp problems can sometimes be caused by environmental conditions or reasons beyond human control.

However, this article aims to help those with either perpetual or fleeting flakiness find the root cause of the problem and offer you some handy tips to deal with your dandruff dilemma.

What is a “sensitive scalp”?

If your scalp is sensitive, it means you may have any or all of the following symptoms:

• Itchiness

• Burning

• Tingling

• Pain

• Redness

All of these symptoms can be caused by a number of factors, including a poor/imbalanced diet, climate, poor quality shampoo and even autoimmune diseases.

A poor/imbalanced diet

By now, you might already be aware of the effects of a poor diet on skin and overall health. There is no reason to believe that your scalp isn’t also affected! A diet lacking certain nutrients, such as iron and protein, can often lead to an irritated scalp and hair loss.

There are five foods that experts claim to cause scalp irritation, and these are high-mercury fish (including mackerel, swordfish and certain types of tuna), sugar, excessively low-protein foods, Vitamin A supplements and alcohol (Source: hellojupiter.com). All of these pose a problem when consumed in abundance, so you don't need to avoid these completely! Just be super conscious of your diet to avoid over-consumption.

Climate

It comes as no surprise that the weather can drastically impact the health of your skin and scalp. Winter weather is especially notorious for causing damage and scalp irritation. The drier conditions and wind can cause problems, but the constant beanie, hoodie and hat-wearing can cause your scalp to heat up quickly and retain moisture.

Showering at night is also much more popular in the winter months. This is usually followed by people going to bed with wet scalps. Sleeping with a wet scalp is synonymous with opening up a water park in the summer in a touristy destination - but the water park is your hair and the tourists is fungi.

If there is one thing known to cause dandruff, inflammation and scalp health issues, it's fungi.

Ok, it won't look as gross as that, but it will be detrimental to your scalp. Minor fungal infections can usually be treated with tea tree oil (a natural, Aussie, magical ingredient!) and sulphate. However, for more severe fungal infections, it's recommended you speak to your doctor, who may be able to prescribe a topical treatment or stronger shampoo.

Poor quality shampoo

This one isn't a new issue we've discussed. When it comes to curls, it's important to find a shampoo that isn't overly drying or high in alcohol. This not only damages the curls, but can lead to an overly sensitive scalp and leave you more flaky than you started!

We recommend investing in salon quality shampoos like the Davroe Moisture Senses Hydrating Shampoo. This shampoo is formulated to revitalise and detangle dry, damaged, and curly hair types. I have been using this shampoo for months and have nothing but praise for it! My curly hairdresser recommended this to me as it is both hydrating and cleansing - the perfect marriage for a curly girl shampoo.

Investing in a scalp treatment/serum may also help you tackle a dry, irritated scalp. You can either try a home remedy, such as an ACV treatment or a DIY tea tree oil infusion, or purchase a scalp treatment in-store. We love Briogeo's Scalp Revival Charcoal + Tea Tree Scalp Treatment Serum, or if you're after something more affordable, give the Goldwell Dualsenses Scalp Specialist Sensitive Soothing Lotion a go.

Autoimmune disease

You will be surprised at what is considered an "autoimmune disease". It is much scarier than it sounds, but it usually does require some medical intervention to diagnose and treat. While generally incurable, your doctor or specialist can help you find a treatment that works to make your autoimmune disease more manageable.

Types of autoimmune diseases that can cause scalp health issues:

• Seborrheic Dermatitis (Dandruff)

• Psoriasis of the scalp

• Contact Dermatitis and Skin Allergies

• Lichen Planus (an inflammatory disorder of the skin which can cause bald scarring patches on the scalp)

• Discoid Lupus Erythematosus (DLE) (presents as bald, scaly red patches on the scalp)

• Alopecia Areata (one or more bald patches on any part of the scalp)

Source: Inflammatory Skin Diseases of the Scalp

If you think you have any of the above conditions, we recommend visiting your GP and potentially getting a referral for a dermatologist or specialist.

Key takeaways

• Enjoy a balanced diet

• Use the correct products and treatments

• Don't sleep with a wet scalp

• See a doctor if your symptoms seem consistent, strange or severe

As always, we hope this was helpful! If you have any questions, put them in the forum or send us a message!