Having issues with your scalp, whether it be dryness, itchiness, or flakiness, can be an extreme feeling of discomfort. There is nothing worse than having this constant itch on your scalp and dealing with dry flakes falling on your shirt.
Scalp health and quality should never be ignored if we aim to ensure that our hair stays in the best condition. In fact, scalp issues will ultimately affect the thickness of our hair and make it weak and brittle.
If you are dealing with a flaking scalp, and are looking for ways to manage or treat it, we have your back. This blog will lay out all the causes and treatments for a flaking scalp.
What Are the Causes of a Flaking Scalp?
The flakes from our scalp resemble snow and can be quite a nuisance as they are visible on our hair and our clothes. A flaky scalp can be a sign of different scalp issues. Here are the reasons for flaking scalp:
Dandruff
Dandruff is a type of seborrheic dermatitis where the life cycle of the skin cells on our scalp is accelerated. These dead cells flake off faster than the usual rate, which is why we end up seeing flakes on our hair and our shoulders.
When the scalp produces too much oil, that is when the skin cells begin to shed even quicker, which also leads to an irritated scalp. Therefore, it is another one of the causes of flaking scalp.
Head Lice
Head lice are also a culprit for a flaky scalp. Lice are tiny parasites that infest our scalps and lay eggs called mites. The head lice feed off of human blood and cause an itching sensation as they crawl on the scalp. Head lice are treatable but highly contagious.
Cold Weather
The winter season can take a toll on one’s scalp, as it can take away the scalp’s moisture, leaving it more susceptible to flakiness and itching.
In addition, this results in our hair strands also becoming drier, as the scalp oils are usually what travel down to moisturize our hair.
Too Much or Too Little Shampooing
When you over-shampoo your hair, it can eliminate too much of the natural oils on your scalp, leading to a stripped and much more dry scalp. This can result in a flaking scalp.
On the other hand, not shampooing your hair enough times creates build-up, leading to inflammation, itching, and consequent flakiness. Hence you will need dry flaking scalp treatment if you do not use enough shampoo or use too much shampoo.
Scalp Psoriasis
Scalp Psoriasis can result in scaly patches that can shed, like dandruff. If psoriasis becomes extreme, it can cause immense discomfort and redness on the scalp and even transfer to the neck, forehead, and other parts of one’s body.
Tinea Capitis
Also called ringworm, and just like psoriasis, this infection is contagious. As a fungal infection that affects the scalp, it creates a scaly texture on different parts, sometimes resulting in flakiness.
Dry Flaking Scalp: What Is the Treatment?
Of course, there is a flaky scalp cure that will make you feel more undisturbed. You don’t have to keep up with the discomfort of dealing with a flaking scalp forever. These are some remedies for flaking scalp to make you feel at ease:
- If you suffer from dandruff you can use shampoos specially for it. This will help cleanse your scalp, get rid of the flakes, and prevent scalp itch. Shampoos with ingredients such as selenium sulfide, and salicylic acid work best. Cut down on using the anti-dandruff shampoo when you notice the flakes disappearing.
- Drinking water also helps to keep the scalp and hair moisturized.
- For scalp psoriasis and tinea capitis, your doctor will recommend medicated shampoos.
- Tea tree oil is often one of the ingredients in anti-dandruff shampoos. This is because it performs as an anti-septic and can combat yeast buildup to prevent dandruff. However, it is important to do a patch test before applying this mixture to the whole scalp.
If you feel like you have an extreme case of flaky scalp, it is crucial to contact a dermatologist to find the root cause of it instead of looking for ways of self-treatment. Your dermatologist will prescribe you effective medication and topical ointments.
A Final Word
If you feel that hair loss has thinned out your hair, Estecenter brings you procedures such as hair transplantation, hair laser, and mesotherapy by the leading experts in the hair aesthetics sector. Grab a consultation with us today for treatment for flaking scalp and much more!
