Itchy scalp

[alext]

hiya, does anyone have advice for an itchy scalp?

I've heard you can use mouthwash?? anyone know about this or better treatments? I've been using t gel neutrigina but it just doesn't seem to help much these days

thx!

[Jade]

Hiya Alex,

I am the queen of itchy scalps!  
I used to use T-Gel but I also found that it didn't really help me & just left my scalp feeling raw & sore so I stopped using it.

Just washing a lot seems to help, keeping it clean helps to keep the P calm ... but some shampoos can irritate your scalp so its best to opt for something mild & chemical-free such as a natural shampoo.  
After T-gel I switched to a more natural shampoo called 'Faith In Nature' (Lavender & Geranium).
Although this is not a medicated shampoo I found it worked better for me. You can get Faith In Nature from health shops or online.

I have found using a salt/olive oil scrubby paste on my scalp really helpful as the oil is softening & the salt is both anti-itch & de-scaling. This is a more intensive treatment & a bit messy to do but if you can its very good.

A less messy way but just a s effective is to use a liquid soap like Dr Bronners liquid castille soap (You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login) & to the soap base mix in about a third oil - like hemp/olive & then add some essential oils on top such as lavender & tea tree, which work brilliantly on itchy scalps.
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The best treatment so far I have found for itchiness is a using peppermint & tea tree essential oils - either the tea tree oil rubbed in neat (gets rid of itching & is a natural solvent so prevents scale build up) & peppermint can be added to the final rinsing water or shampoo/conditioner to breeze away itching.

I can't recommend those two oils enough, I'd be lost without them.
 
With essential oils being concentrated plant essences you only need a few drops of each - with the exception of lavender & tea tree which can be used directly on the scalp.

Hope that helps a bit,
Jade xx

[jurtan96]

Great tips! Just watch it with the salt and tea tree oil if your scalp is sore!

[Jade]

true, if you have *open wounds* the salt will sting like   but quite good in the long run if you can stand it!

[Deaky]

Yeah, but it's one of those nice stings as in you know something's working! I love scrubbing my head with the salt and olive oil mix! I've gone from normal salt to rock salt for that extra scrub!!

[alext]

thanks jade! i'll get right onto getting that stuff, no more itch for me ... feel like i've wasted loads of money on tgel though over the years!!.. >.<

[Jade]

Well I hope it helps you as much as it has done me.
I perfected the ritual over a few years   & I know it does work (esp using the essential oils) because I notice if I don't.
Also the Dr Bronners castille soap is a good body wash too if you have itchy p anywhere else & if you put oil in it, you have a lovely ready made emollient.
Or you can use the soap plain on the body, the mint one for itching ...  

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[Groovygirl]

ooh gonna try the oil and salt thing, is it a b*gger to wash out though?

[Jade]

ooh gonna try the oil and salt thing, is it a b*gger to wash out though?

Its not too bad actually - just make sure you aren't dripping in it!  
Focus mostly on your scalp & don't cake all your hair in it, leave for as long as poss & it should wash out after a good shampoo.
Hope it helps!!

[Groovygirl]

tried it this morning. I rub coconut oil into my scalp every night anyway, so this morning when my bath was running I rubbed a handfull of salt in.
It felt soooo good, and I swear I'm less itchy today.

Result! thanks Jade