All three of the girls (ages 5 & 8) and myself have itchy scalps. My husband does not. I had the doctor check the first child to complain about it and there were no lice. I have had our hairdresser check the kids and myself multiple times and there are no lice. The kids have a new shampoo (what ever is on sale) but I use the same one I always have. We need to get this cleared up before school starts. I don't want the teachers sending them to the nurse for head checks. Any suggestions? We've tried head and shoulders, t-gel and another shampoo I can't think of.
Both Walgreens and Wal mart carry a really good shampoo for irritated scalps. It's called Organix Hydrating Tea Tree Mint Shampoo -- there is also a conditioner. It works great. It's in a green bottle with a gold top. The cost is about $7.50 a bottle.
I have been dealing with this all summer, for the first time in my life. No lice, no dandruff...so what is it? My mom clued me in (40+ years as a hairdresser.)
1. It's been very hot and humid this summer. Something about sweat glands and clogged pores on the head, etc.
2. Have you been wearing your hair in ponytails? I have (usually don't, but it's been so HOT!), and when you pull your hair back you are pulling it against the follicle which irritates the scalp.
I asked this same question a few weeks ago. :)
have you been out in the sun? Sometimes I get a tiny sunburn on my scalp (and I'm brunette) and it itches for DAYS! Try California Baby Calming baby shampoo and bodywash (you can get it at target) Super mild and smells great. Calms those itches right down- if it's just a little irritation.
Have you been in the sun? Could be sunburn. If it came about all of a sudden it has to be something that all three of you have experienced. New shampoo?
Is the weather drier right now?
Perhaps, your water????
Perhaps, the shower heads??? Clean it. Things accumulate in the shower heads and faucet spouts. Even things like algae.
Slight changes in the humidity in the air can cause your scalp to dry, which will cause the itching. Try switching to a phosphate free shampoo. You can find inexpensive brands. Sometimes these chemicals can cause the scalp irritation. After switching, I never get an itchy head any longer!
Try washing their hair every other day. I found out my daughter had lice a couple weeks ago - we killed those buggers asap, but I get an itchy scalp just thinking about it! Anyhoo- over washing can cause dry scalp - if there is a little bit of hair oil/residue, that might help.
Our oldest had cradle cap from age 1-3 and was constantly scratching her head until her hair would get tangled. The doctor told us to use T-Gel. It just made it worse. The hairdresser told us that's the last thing to use - she needed a good conditioner. It helped immensely! I realize you don't have cradle cap, but wonder if maybe a good conditioner would help?
I was also thinking that maybe your scalp could be sunburned. It's hard to get sunscreen up there and with it being so sunny and warm, maybe you got a bit of a burn. Maybe try some sort of hair mask with extra moisturizers until you figure it out?? Body Shop has a nice one or you can ask your hair dresser.
We had the same issue a few months ago. Our plumber actually said we should invest in a pool testing kit to test our tap water. He has found our city water to be at times, very high in chlorine. This causes dry skin and especially dry itchy scalps. When our skin would get itchy I would test the water. Sure enough, the plumber was right. We have installed filter shower heads and they seem to take care of the problem. Good luck!
Heat rash from the underneath side of your hair being too hot. Pull the hair back and up if possible. It should help. My mom would use Sea Breeze, it is an astringent like Witch Hazel. It should be easy to find at Walmart. She would dribble some in her hands, rub them together, then massage it into her scalp.
If is really really bad use a small amount of cortisone cream and message it in. That way it would work for at least a while during school.
