Looking for an effective itchy scalp home remedy?
Then, there’s good news.
There are 13 easy-to-get products you can use to soothe the constant itchiness on your scalp, and you’ll find them in this post.
Ready to say bye to that constant urge to scratch your scalp? Keep reading!
Oh, before you read on, I made this gift for you:
Get this Free Checklist for Relieving an Itchy Scalp.
Itchy Scalp Home Remedy
An itchy scalp can be caused by dryness, dandruff, and other stuff that we’ll discuss in a bit.
Whatever the cause, here are some home remedies that can help you get rid of itchiness and get that much-needed relief.
1. Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar (ACV) is a popular itchy scalp home remedy. And it’s popular because it works!
Why does it work? Apple cider vinegar contains a weak acid called acetic acid. This ingredient balances the pH level of your scalp, helping to relieve itchiness.
To use ACV for your itchy scalp, buy raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar. ACV is pretty potent, so you must dilute it with water. Follow the steps below:
- Mix three tablespoons of ACV with one cup of water.
- Pour the mix into a spray bottle (or mix the ACV in a spray bottle to begin with).
- Shampoo your hair and split it into about four sections.
- Spray apple cider vinegar generously into each section, focusing on the scalp.
- Gently massage your scalp to get the product in.
- This your hair and wait for about five minutes.
- Rinse your hair with clean water.
Vela Tip: If you do not like the smell of ACV, add a few drops of sweet-smelling essential oils (like lavender oil) so you find it easier to use. You can also buy ACV-based shampoos instead.
2. Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil is an essential oil that you can use for treating an itchy scalp.
Why does it work? Tea tree oil has antioxidant, antimicrobial, and cleaning properties. So it clears the scalp pores and fights microbes and dangerous compounds that cause itchiness.
Tea tree oil is highly concentrated, so you must not apply it directly to your scalp or hair.
Your best bet is getting a hair product that is “tea tree oil-based.”
You can get a tea tree oil-based shampoo, leave-in conditioner, or moisturizer at hair product stores.
But if you have tea tree oil around and you’re a fan of mixing your hair products yourself, here’s how to:
- Add three drops of tea tree oil to olive or coconut oil.
- Part your hair in small sections and apply the mix to your scalp.
- Give your scalp a gentle massage.
- Leave it for about five minutes before washing your hair with shampoo and conditioner.
Alternatively;
- Add four drops of tea tree oil to your regular shampoo.
- Use the mix to wash your hair thoroughly.
- Rinse your hair with clear water.
Vela Tip: Some people react to tea tree oil. To play it safe, do a small patch test before using tea tree oil for your scalp. You can use it for your scalp if you do not react to it.
3. Organic Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is a popular hair oil that you’ll find at most hair product stores.
Why does it work? Coconut oil contains lauric acid, allowing it to penetrate the hair more than other oils. It has antibacterial and antifungal properties, which keep the scalp healthy and control itchiness.
To use coconut oil for itchy scalp, buy organic, cold-pressed coconut oil.
Then follow these steps:
- Heat the coconut oil till it’s slightly warm.
- Add a few drops of lemon juice (this is optional).
- Part your hair in small sections and apply it to your scalp.
- Cover your hair and leave it for an hour.
- Wash your hair.
Vela Tip: If your itchy scalp is caused by dandruff, using coconut oil is not a good idea. The oil can increase dandruff-causing fungi on your scalp, increasing flakiness and itchiness.
4. Peppermint Oil
Peppermint oil is another essential oil that works as an itchy scalp home remedy.
Why does it work? As you can guess from the name, peppermint oil has cooling effects on the scalp.
You’ll feel this sweet tingle when you apply peppermint oil to your scalp.
It soothes the scalp and relieves itchiness.
Here’s how to use peppermint oil for an itchy scalp:
- Add a few drops of peppermint oil to coconut or jojoba oil.
- Apply it to your scalp evenly and massage gently for some minutes.
- Leave for about 20 minutes, then wash off with a mild shampoo.
Vela Tip: Use only two or three drops of peppermint oil. This oil is pretty intense and can give you a harsh burning sensation when you use too much.
5. Olive Oil
Olive oil is a carrier oil obtained from olive fruit.
Why does it work? Olive oil contains antioxidants and vitamins, ingredients for a healthy, non-itchy scalp.
You can buy olive oil-based hair products or apply the oil directly to your scalp.
If you’re using the oil itself, follow these steps:
- Mix olive oil with a few drops of essential oil (e.g., tea tree oil).
- Apply to your scalp in sections and leave for some minutes.
- Wash your hair with a mild shampoo.
- If you use only olive oil (without mixing it with essential oil), you can leave it overnight and wash your hair the following day.
6. Lemongrass Oil
Lemongrass oil is an essential oil with a strong, citrus-like scent.
It has many health benefits and can work for an itchy scalp too.
Why does it work? Lemongrass contains antibacterial and antioxidant properties; it works to prevent and fight conditions that may cause an itchy scalp.
To use lemongrass oil for an itchy scalp, follow these steps:
- Add a few drops of lemongrass oil to a carrier oil like coconut or olive oil.
- Apply the mix to your scalp.
- Massage your scalp for about ten minutes.
- Leave it on your hair for about 20 minutes, then wash it with shampoo.
Vela Tip: Lemongrass oil is an essential oil, so you must mix it with a carrier oil or hair product before using it on your scalp. Never apply undiluted lemongrass oil directly to your scalp.
7. Avocado Oil
Avocado oil (extracted from avocado fruit) is popular in cooking and skin care.
You can also use this natural oil to cure an itchy scalp.
Why does it work? Avocado contains fatty acids (for example, oleic acid) that moisturize the scalp and reduce itchiness.
To use avocado for an itchy scalp :
- Mix avocado oil or blended avocado with olive or coconut oil.
- Take a few minutes to massage the mix into your scalp.
- Leave for about 15 minutes, then wash your hair.
Vela Tip: You can also use mashed avocados for an itchy scalp. You’ll need to get ripe avocados, mash them, and add a few olive or coconut oil teaspoons. Mix and apply to your scalp as described above.
8. Jojoba Oil
Jojoba oil is extracted from the seed of the jojoba plant, found in California and Mexico.
Why does it work? Jojoba oil is anti-inflammatory, meaning it reduces swelling, which is common to itchy scalps.
You can mix jojoba oil with other hair ingredients to soothe an itchy scalp.
For example, try this:
- Mix two tablespoons each of honey and jojoba oil
- Mix thoroughly and apply to your scalp in sections.
- Leave it for about ten minutes before rinsing it with a mild shampoo.
9. Argan Oil
Argan oil is well-used in skin care and also for medicinal purposes.
As you can guess, hair care is not left out either.
Why does it work? Argan oil is an excellent hair sealant. When you apply it after moisturizing your hair, it seals moisture in your hair and prevents it from drying out and itching.
To use argan oil for an itchy scalp, follow these steps:
- Add a few drops of argan oil to a carrier oil of your choice.
- Apply to your scalp in sections
- Leave it for about ten minutes, then wash it with a mild shampoo.
10. Aloe Vera
Whether you extract the gel from the plant yourself or buy an aloe vera hair product, you can use aloe vera to treat an itchy scalp.
Why does it work? Aloe vera has excellent moisturizing properties. It helps to soothe the scalp and prevent dryness that can cause itchiness.
To use aloe vera for itchy scalp, follow these steps:
- Apply the gel or hair product to your scalp by parting the hair in sections.
- Leave it on for about 15 minutes.
- Wash it out with a mild shampoo.
11. Baking Soda for Itchy Scalp
You may want to give baking soda a try but with extreme caution.
That’s because even though many people say that baking soda works for their itchy scalp, there are a few things to note.
Baking soda has a high pH, so using it regularly for a long time can dry out your hair and even damage it. Also, there’s no research evidence that baking soda cures dandruff.
Still, many people have success stories with baking soda for itchy scalp. If you choose to try it, here are the steps:
- Mix two tablespoons of baking soda and a few drops of olive oil.
- Add water to form a paste.
- Massage your scalp for a few minutes.
- Wash your hair after ten minutes.
Vela Tip: Remember that baking soda can damage your hair, especially if you use it consistently for a long time. To stay safe, use it only once a week and not for over a month. One (past) user explained how baking soda damaged her hair after using it for three years.
One more thing, mixing baking soda with water or giving your hair an apple cider vinegar rinse DOES NOT prevent the damaging effects of baking soda on hair.
Baking soda’s high pH stays the same whether you mix it with water or not.
12. Antihistamine for Itchy Scalp
Sometimes, an itchy scalp might be caused by autoimmune conditions in the body.
Then, over-the-counter drugs called “antihistamines” may be needed.
Here are a few important things to note about taking antihistamines for an itchy scalp:
- Antihistamines usually cause sleepiness, so it’s best to take them at night.
- You should talk to your doctor before taking antihistamines for your itchy scalp.
- Antihistamine can be harmful to people below 12 years or over 60 years.
- Examples of OTC antihistamines are Benadryl and Zyrtec (or cetirizine).
13. Itchy Scalp Shampoos
Apart from the natural ingredients above, you can buy over-the-counter shampoos for itchy scalp.
However, don’t buy just any shampoo labeled “for itchy scalp.”
Check the product label and confirm that it contains any of these ingredients:
- Zinc pyrithione
- Salicylic acid
- Ketoconazole
- Selenium sulfide
- Coal tar
- Sodium laureth sulfate
Follow the instructions on the shampoo to know how often to use it for itchy scalp.
Itchy Scalp at Night Home Remedy
If you want itchy scalp remedies you can use overnight, here are your options:
- Coconut oil
- Olive oil
- Antihistamines (use at night, and you may feel much better the following day)
Itchy Scalp Causes
Here are some reasons why your scalp may be itching.
1. Dandruff
Your scalp may be itching because you have dandruff.
Dandruff is usually caused when the “fungi Malassezia” becomes too much on a person’s scalp.
Stress, hormones, or weather changes can also trigger dandruff.
2. Dry scalp
A dry scalp (different from dandruff) can also cause itchiness.
Your scalp can become so dry that it itches when you shampoo it too often and do not moisturize it.
3. Buildup
Sweat, oil, or product buildup can cause your scalp to itch. In this case, removing the buildup by washing your hair can stop your scalp from itching.
4. Contact Dermatitis
Simply put, your scalp can itch because you’re reacting to a hair product. It doesn’t mean something is wrong with the product; your scalp just doesn’t want it.
5. Hair Habits
Some of your hair habits may encourage itchiness. For example, sleeping with your hair wet or over-wearing hair coverings like wigs can cause an itchy scalp.
Soothe Your Itch
An itchy scalp can be annoying, frustrating, and even embarrassing.
You don’t have to deal with it when there are easy and effective itchy scalp home remedies.
Try out the options above, and see what works for your scalp.
And if there are hair habits you need to work on to stop your itchy scalp, you now know where to start!
Remember, you should see a doctor if your itchy scalp persists, becomes sore, or worsens so you cannot sleep.
I’ll give this a try the next time my scalp feels itchy.
The green box is a nice addition
Great. Thank you!