Having a constant itchy scalp is not only uncomfortable, it could also be a sign of an underlying scalp condition.

If you’re battling with a constant itchy scalp, you’re in the right place. Many conditions can cause an itchy scalp, and in order to banish it for good, you need to know the reason behind it.

Below you’ll find the most common causes of an itchy scalp and how to fix it!

Dandruff can cause a constant itchy scalp

Dandruff is when white or grey flakes of skin appear in the hair and on the scalp, accompanied by an itchy sensation.

Dandruff can occur from:

• not shampooing enough
• an overproduction of oil
• an overproduction of yeast
• other skin conditions like eczema or psoriasis

The Fix: Thoroughly wash your hair with a good, sulphate and paraben free shampoo like Cel’s Microstem Shampoo. Suitable for all hair types, it contains glycerin which gently cleans the scalp and works as a moisture sponge to keep the scalp and hair suitably hydrated, which prevents skin irritation. Restoring moisture helps solve the itchiness, and cleaning the hair gets rid of the skin flakes.

Read up on how often you should be washing your hair according to your hair type, to check if you’re shampooing enough or too much.

And, Learn How To Get Rid Of Sudden Dandruff here.

Lice can cause a constant itchy scalp

If you’ve had head to head contact with people recently, particularly children, then this might be the answer to your itchy scalp.

If you don’t have white or grey flakes indicating dandruff, then it may be time to check for head lice. They’re extremely good at camouflage, with their eggs being hard to spot and even when fully grown they are only 2 to 3 millimetres in length!

The Fix: If you’ve got lice, you need to purchase a specially fine toothed comb and some head lice treatment you can find in a drugstore. Follow the instructions of the treatment, leave for the suggested amount of time, and then comb through the hair to get rid of the lice and eggs before washing out thoroughly with a high quality shampoo.

Contact Dermatitis can cause a constant itchy scalp

An allergic reaction (contact dermatitis) to a new hair product could be the reason behind your itchy scalp. It is fairly common to react to hair dyes, but you could also have had a reaction to a new shampoo, conditioner, hair spray or hair mask.

It might be just one ingredient that causes you to react, so read the labels thoroughly if you have known allergies.

The Fix: Stop using the suspected irritant product immediately and wash your hair and scalp gently but thoroughly. If you’re sensitive to beauty products anyway, look for those that are hypoallergenic, like all of Cel’s haircare line.

Product build up can cause a constant itchy scalp

Hair styling products, particularly those using silicones (silicones coat the hair shafts to give hair a synthetic shine), are notorious for clogging up the hair follicles and thus causing irritation.

The build up of styling products can interrupt the hairs' growth cycle too, which includes the shedding of old hair, and when your cycle is out of sync it can wreak havoc on the state of your scalp!

Your scalp might be flaky, dry, red and itchy and these can all be a sign of product build up if you frequently style your hair.

The Fix: Take a break from your styling routine and try to keep it natural for a few weeks, so your growth cycle can find it’s rhythm again. To help your scalp reset and rewire, try indulging in a scalp scrub for an exfoliative deep cleanse.

You can do it at home! Simply mix 2 tablespoons of sea salt, 1-2 tablespoons of lemon juice and 1-2 tablespoons of olive oil, and after wetting the hair, apply the mixture directly all over the scalp in circular motions with the finger tips. Leave for 10 minutes before washing out with a gentle shampoo.

The salt will exfoliate the scalp, and the lemon will dissolve any left behind product! And the olive oil? It will coat the hair strands, soaking it in nourishing moisture making your locks feel luscious!

Read up on the importance of keeping up with your scalp’s health here.

Dry skin can cause a constant itchy scalp

Dry skin itches wherever it is on the body. Dry skin on the scalp can be caused by over-washing the hair or exposure to harsh conditions (super cold weather or frequent hot blow drying). So, your scalp may just need a little rehydration!

The Fix: Look to hair masks and oils to give your hair a well earned drink.

Cel’s Hair Thickening Mask is loaded with biotin, which is critical to numerous functions within the body including cell growth, metabolism and cell repair.

If you suffer from a dry scalp, you develop a layer of dead skin cells which prevents the natural regrowth cycle of your hair. Biotin helps combat that and thus helps natural oil production and level management recommence.

Alternatively you can coat your scalp and hair in 100% coconut oil, virgin olive oil, or almond oil for some deep nourishment and hydration. Leave for a minimum of 10 minutes before washing out with sulphate and paraben free shampoo. Wrap the hair up in a towel and sleep in it over night for a really thorough effect!

Final thoughts on constant itchy scalps

If you’re suffering from a really itchy scalp and none of the above seems to link up, you may be battling something else that may require medical attention. Make sure to check in with your doctor who can advise you further.