Dry or itchy scalp: common causes and gentle fixes

Not medical advice. This guide is general information from the sources listed, not a diagnosis or a substitute for a pharmacist, GP or dermatologist. If you are worried, or symptoms are severe or not improving, get advice. Read our health information policy.

Itch is a symptom, not a diagnosis

There's no NHS or dermatology leaflet for "dry scalp" as a condition — an itchy or tight-feeling scalp is a symptom with several possible causes. The NHS says itchy skin is not usually a sign of anything serious and often settles with self-care within a few weeks. The trick is to think about what else is going on.

Common causes

• Dandruff or seborrhoeic dermatitis — white or yellowish flakes, sometimes with redness. See our dandruff and seborrhoeic dermatitis guides.
• A reaction to a product (contact dermatitis) — itching, stinging, dryness or a rash where a product touched the skin. Hair dye is a well-known trigger; shampoos, styling products, fragrances and preservatives can be too. The NHS says a reaction usually appears within hours or days of contact.
• Scalp psoriasis — raised, scaly patches, often at the hairline or behind the ears. See scalp psoriasis.
• Head lice — dermatologists say lice should be considered in anyone with an itchy scalp, particularly children. See head lice and nits.
• Eczema, which can affect the scalp as well as the body.
• Scalp ringworm — scaly, itchy patches, sometimes with broken hairs or bald patches; most common in children and needs a GP.

The NHS adds that, less often, widespread itching can be a sign of conditions such as thyroid, liver or kidney problems — another reason not to put up with persistent itch.

Hair dye reactions

The NHS says hair dye reactions are fairly common and usually mild — stinging, burning, an itchy rash, dryness or soreness — and can take up to 72 hours to appear. Many permanent and some semi-permanent dyes contain PPD (paraphenylenediamine), which can irritate skin or cause allergy. You may be more at risk if you've had a black henna tattoo.

The NHS advice is to:

• test the dye as the packet instructs at least 48 hours before you want to use it
• wear gloves and never leave dye on longer than the instructions say
• if you feel a reaction starting, wash your hair and scalp thoroughly with a mild shampoo straight away
• switch to a non-permanent dye if you've reacted to a permanent one before

Gentle things to try

These are general skin-care steps from the NHS itchy-skin and contact dermatitis advice, applied to the scalp:

• Work out what's new. If the itch started after a new shampoo, dye, styling product or hair treatment, stop using it and see if it settles.
• Choose unperfumed products where you can; perfumed products can irritate sensitive skin.
• Wash with lukewarm rather than hot water, and rinse products out thoroughly.
• Try not to scratch — pat or press instead, and keep nails short.
• Don't over-wash or under-wash. Dermatologists note that washing too often can dry the scalp, while not washing enough lets product build up, which can irritate it.
• If flakes are part of the picture, an anti-dandruff shampoo is worth a try for up to 4 weeks.

A pharmacist can suggest suitable products — the NHS mentions emollients (moisturisers), antihistamines for some kinds of itch, and cooling creams.