By Angelica Bottaro 

Updated on August 07, 2023

 Medically reviewed by Leah Ansell, MD

A dry, itchy scalp can be caused by dandruff, skin conditions like eczema, and allergies. You can treat it with home remedies, medicated shampoo, and avoiding irritants, depending on what the cause is and how severe your symptoms are. 

This article will cover scalp conditions that can cause itching, as well as how they are diagnosed and treated. 

Plan Shooting 2 / Imazins / Getty Images

Dandruff

Dandruff is a common condition that can cause the scalp to get dry, itchy, and flaky.¹ Contrary to popular belief, dandruff is not a result of poor hygiene—though not washing your hair regularly can make dandruff flakes more obvious. Stress and cold weather can make dandruff worse.

Some possible causes of dandruff include:²

• Seborrheic dermatitis ("cradle cap")

• Tinea capitis (ringworm)

• Eczema

• Contact dermatitis

• Psoriasis

 Different Types of Dandruff

Treatment

Dandruff is usually harmless, but it can affect your self-esteem if it causes you embarrassment.³ You can get rid of dandruff with an over-the-counter (OTC) anti-dandruff shampoo. Ingredients typically found in these shampoos include:

• Ketoconazole

• Zinc pyrithione

• Salicylic acid

• Selenium sulfide

• Coal tar

When dandruff is caused by a skin condition like psoriasis or eczema, you will need treatment for that condition as prescribed by a dermatologist.³

 The Best Dandruff Shampoos for Soothing Itchy Scalps, Tested and Reviewed

Atopic Dermatitis

Atopic dermatitis (eczema) is a skin chronic condition that can cause itchy inflammation on the scalp. It is caused by a combination of an overactive immune system, genetics, irritants in the environment like tobacco smoke, and stress.⁴

Eczema can make your scalp dry and itchy. Other symptoms of scalp eczema include a red rash, swelling, bumps on the skin, crusting skin, and leathery patches of skin. Eczema on the scalp can affect people of all ages.⁵

When to Call a Provider

An itchy, dry scalp is typically not serious, but if you have intense itching and dryness with flaking skin, make an appointment with your healthcare provider. They can help you find the cause and the most effective treatments for the condition causing your symptoms.

Treatment

Topical corticosteroids such as hydrocortisone are typically the first line of treatment for eczema. Topical calcineurin inhibitors can change how the immune system works by inhibiting the production of the enzyme calcineurin, which plays a role in the activation of immune cells.

In severe cases, topical medications may not be strong enough to help with scalp eczema. In this case, immunosuppressive medications might be needed to dampen the immune response and help with symptom control.⁶

It's important to identify the triggers that worsen your eczema and try to avoid them. You should also keep your scalp moist by using lotions and creams and minimize skin irritation by washing your hair with a mild shampoo and lukewarm water.

 How Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis) Is Treated

Sunburn

Sunburns occur when the skin is exposed to harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays. Sunburns can range from mild to severe. In some cases, sunburns can take up to 36 hours to fully develop, so it can be hard to figure out how much damage has occurred before that point.

A scalp sunburn can cause dry, itchy skin. Other symptoms include:⁷

• Redness in the area

• Skin swelling

• Pain

• Blisters

• Fever

• Chills

• Weakness

• Confusion

• Peeling skin

In severe cases, a sunburn can cause a person to go into shock, leading to fainting, weakness, and low blood pressure. Shock is a life-threatening condition that requires immediate medical attention.⁷

Johns Hopkins Medicine. Sunburn.

Treatment

Sunburns need to heal on their own and typically do so within a couple of weeks. Treatment for symptoms can include:⁷

• OTC pain relievers such as ibuprofen (Advil), acetaminophen (Tylenol), or aspirin

• Applying a wet, cool compress to the skin

While your sunburn heals, avoid further sun exposure which can make the burn and your symptoms worse. If the burn is on your scalp, wear a hat or cover your head while you’re outdoors to reduce sun exposure to your healing skin.

 Get Sunburn Relief With Home Remedies for Pain & Inflammation

Contact Dermatitis

Contact dermatitis causes a red, itchy rash when your skin comes into contact with an irritant. You can get contact dermatitis on any area of your skin, including on your scalp. 

There are three types of contact dermatitis:

• Allergic contact dermatitis occurs when the immune system reacts to an allergen that is typically harmless.⁸

• Irritant contact dermatitis occurs when the skin comes into contact with an irritant that leads to a rash and other symptoms.

• Photocontact dermatitis occurs when a substance on the skin reacts with UV radiation from the sun, leading to irritation.⁹

Along with red and itchy skin on the scalp, other symptoms of contact dermatitis can include:¹⁰

• Hives

• Cracked skin

• Tender skin

• Burning or stinging sensation in the area

• Fluid-filled blisters

• Blisters that ooze and crust or scale over

Treatment

Usually, once the allergen or irritant is removed the symptoms of contact dermatitis will clear up on their own. The main treatment is just avoiding the trigger that caused the irritation.

You may also take other steps for contact dermatitis symptoms, such as:⁵

• Using medication from your provider or at your local drug store, such as hydrocortisone and fluocinolone, to help relieve the symptoms of the rash

• Using a cool compress to relieve the itchiness

• Taking the oral steroid prednisone to help with symptoms that do not get better with other treatments. In severe cases, several rounds of oral steroids might be needed to limit the action of the immune system and reduce symptoms.¹¹

Hair Products

The products you use to wash and style your hair can be a source of irritation that leads to a dry, itchy scalp. For example, you might get an itchy scalp after using:¹²

• Shampoos

• Conditioners

• Deep conditioning treatments or masks

• Styling gels and sprays

• Mousse

• Wax 

• Serums 

• Heat-protectants

• Oils and clays

• Lighteners

• Straighteners 

• Dyes

You may notice that your scalp gets dry and itchy right after you start using a new product, or it might take some time before it starts bothering your skin. If you use more than one product, you might have to stop using them one at a time to figure out which one is irritating your scalp. 

If you know your scalp is sensitive, you may want to look for hair products that don’t have irritating ingredients, like those that are hypoallergenic, dye-free, etc. 

Psoriasis

Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease caused by an overactive immune system. Psoriasis causes skin cells to be made faster than they can be shed.¹³ A red, itchy, and scaly rash on the scalp can be symptoms of psoriasis.

Other symptoms of scalp psoriasis include:¹⁴

• Cracked skin

• Pain

• Scales on the scalp

The cause of psoriasis is not clear, but certain things may trigger a flare-up of the condition in some people, such as stress, skin injuries, infections, and cold weather.¹⁴

 6 Facts About Psoriasis

Treatment

If psoriasis affects the scalp, treatment can include:¹⁵

• Medicated shampoos (with ingredients like salicylic acid and coal tar)

• Steroid creams (containing a corticosteroid called clobetasol)

• Phototherapy (which uses ultraviolet light to slow skin cell growth on the scalp)

• Dithranol and vitamin D analogs (which control how quickly the skin cells grow, which reduces the overgrowth that leads to psoriasis symptoms)

• Biologic medications and therapies (which suppress the immune system response and reduce psoriasis flare-ups by lowering inflammation in the body)

Head Lice

Head lice (Pediculus humanus capitis) is a common cause of a very itchy scalp. While it usually does not cause dry, flaky skin on the scalp, lice and their eggs (nits) can be confused for a condition like dandruff or eczema.¹⁶

Treatment

Lice infestations need to be treated with OTC or prescription shampoos and products that kill lice and nits. You'll also need to carefully wash clothing, blankets, towels, and other items that could have lice on them since they are very contagious.¹⁷

Ringworm

Scalp ringworm (tinea capitis) is a fungal infection that can make your scalp itch.¹⁸ It’s usually easy to spot because it makes a circular rash, but if you get it on your head, you may not be able to see the rash. Sometimes, you’ll see the fungus on your hair strands but not always. 

Scalp ringworm often causes hair loss, which you are more likely to notice. 

Treatment

Ringworm on the scalp has to be treated with special shampoo and antifungal medication (either over-the-counter or prescription). In some cases, you might have to take oral medication to clear up a ringworm infection.¹⁸

Scabies

Scabies on the scalp can cause severe itching. You may not be able to see the rash on your skin where the mites have burrowed, but you’ll definitely feel the discomfort it causes.¹⁹

Treatment

Scabies has to be treated with medications that will kill the mites as well as the eggs they lay. You can get some scabies medication over the counter, though you might need to use something stronger from your provider if the infestation is severe.²⁰

Weather Changes

Dry, cold, winter weather can often lead to dry skin. If your skin tends to get dry when the seasons change, you might notice that your scalp is getting itchy and even flaky. It's not as easy to keep your scalp moisturized as it is to take care of other parts of your body, so look for haircare with gentle, nourishing ingredients (like coconut oil) that can help lock in moisture.²¹

Nutritional Deficiencies

If you’re not getting enough of certain vitamins and minerals, you might get dry, itchy skin all over your body—including your scalp. Certain nutritional deficiencies can even lead to hair loss.²²

You can often get more of the key nutrients that you need simply by adding foods to your diet that are rich sources of them. However, your provider might suggest you take a supplement if your levels are very low or you have dietary restrictions that make it hard to get enough of certain vitamins and minerals from food. 

Medications

Dry skin can sometimes be a side effect of medication you might be taking. For example, allergy medications (antihistamines) and “water pills” (diuretics) can be drying.²³ If the skin on your head dries out along with the rest of your body, it might feel itchy and irritated. 

Do not stop taking a medication that's been prescribed to you without talking to your provider. If you're bothered by dry skin or any other side effects, let your provider know. They might be able to adjust your dose or switch you to a different medication.

Skin Cancer

Actinic keratosis is a precancerous skin condition that happens after many years of sun exposure. If you get it on your scalp, it can make rough, scaly patches that might itch and feel dry. If you have the condition, you’re at risk for skin cancer. In fact, the patches can turn into certain types of skin cancer (like squamous cell carcinoma).²⁴

Changes on the skin of your scalp, either in how it looks or feels, could be an early sign of skin cancer. If you notice changes in your skin—such as moles that are changing shape, get very itchy, or start to bleed—it’s important to be checked by your provider.²⁵

When to See a Provider

If you have an itchy scalp and you can’t figure out what’s causing it, make an appointment with your health care provider. If the cause is something relatively simple to treat—for example, a case of ringworm—they may just have you get some OTC medication at the pharmacy or give you a prescription if needed.

You might also be referred to a provider who specializes in skin problems (a dermatologist) if they are not sure what is causing your itchy scalp, or if they think you have a chronic condition (like psoriasis) that needs specific treatment. 

How to Relieve Dry Scalp at Home

Depending on the severity and the cause of your dry, itchy scalp, some home remedies may help relieve symptoms. If you think you could have a health condition that's causing your dry, itchy scalp, see your provider before you try treating it on your own. 

Steps you can take to relieve a dry, itchy scalp at home include: 

• Avoiding products that can irritate and dry the scalp to the point of it becoming itchy.

• Using shampoos that have anti-inflammatory ingredients such as zinc pyrithione.²⁶

• Using a humidifier to help with dryness in the air.

• Using a cool compress on the area to relieve itchiness and pain and prevent yourself from scratching.

• Using moisturizing scalp treatments.

• Using oils that can help relieve scalp dryness and itchiness, such as coconut oil, jojoba oil, tea tree oil, and avocado oil.²⁷

• Using a humidifier to help with dryness in the air in your home. 

• Applying a cool compress on the area to relieve itchiness and pain and to prevent yourself from scratching.

What Treatments Don't Work?

You might be tempted to try some home remedies you've read about on the Internet or seen on social media. However, there's no research evidence that things like vinegar rinses or athlete's foot products will help with dry scalp.²⁸

 Dry Scalp Remedies That Work

Preventing Dry Scalp

Some ways you can prevent a dry scalp include:²⁹

• Using shampoos that contain aloe to help reintroduce moisture into the scalp and retain it to prevent dryness³⁰

• Using conditioners or other hair-care products that are made with gentle or natural ingredients to help maintain the health of your scalp while avoiding irritants²⁹

• Wearing a hat or head covering to protect your scalp from overexposure to UV rays

• Following your provider’s recommendations and treatments, including taking your medications as prescribed

• Avoiding triggers as best you can to help prevent flare-ups

Summary

There are a lot of things that can cause an itchy scalp. Sometimes, it’s as simple as using a shampoo that’s irritating or having a mild infection like ringworm. However, an itchy scalp can also be a sign of a chronic condition like psoriasis that you’ll want to see a healthcare provider for.