Natural and home remedies for dandruff and scalp problems.
Posts tagged Dandruff
Scalp Psoriasis – Scratch the Itch
Jan 16th
Kelly A. Lee asked:
Dealing with an itchy scalp and its embarrassing dandruff or flaky white skin can really drive a people to drastic methods to stop the itch. These raised silvery white plaques of scaling skin that cover the scalp along with dry patches of red skin irritation can be unbearable and even maddening to live with.
At times the constant itchiness of scalp psoriasis can be so consuming for people, they dig at their scalp obsessively until it bleeds and those observing this obsessive-compulsive behavior often regard it as repulsive. Some people even unknowingly fear psoriasis thinking it is contagious, and go to incredible measures in order to avoid body contact and interaction with the “neurotic itchers.”
There are old wives tales and home remedies to cure just about everything, with many having been around for centuries. Here are a few examples of myths said to cure one of an itchy scalp.
In a clean spray bottle put 100ml of water and five drops of pure essential oil of lavender. Shake well. Use once in morning and once at night. Spray a little directly on the infected area and rub it in. After applying, try not to touch the treated area.
Take and mix together an over ripe avocado, 1 tablespoon of olive oil, and 1 teaspoon of honey. Once mixed, rub into scalp and hair and then put a shower cap on for half an hour to an hour. Wash out.
Mix ¼ cup of clay with a little splash of water then apply to the irritated area. Remove clay once it has dried and reapply fresh clay. Repeat several times.
Pour apple cider vinegar over the scalp until it becomes saturated, then wrap a towel around head leaving for 30 minutes to one hour. After, rinse away vinegar and wash hair with a non- sodium laurel sulfate shampoo! Finish treatment by massaging scalp with aloe- vera or jojoba oil.
Find a field and pick 4 marigold flowers or visit your local flower shop. Remove the stems and put marigold flower heads in four cups of boiling water. Allow flowers to boil for four minutes. Set aside, letting water cool to room temperature. Massage solution into the scalp. Wash with shampoo, rinse, add lemon juice or vinegar, rinse, and done.
Boil one cup of water and then remove from head and add 1 teaspoon of sarsaparilla root. Let cool. Strain so that water is saved. Put a washcloth into strained solution. Squeeze washcloth out and apply to infected area.
While some of these old wives tales and home remedies may truly work and others may not, here are a two real myths:
Myth one: if it works for one it works for everyone. Reality: there is no one thing for everyone.
Myth two: scalp psoriasis is contagious and can spread from person to person and on the body. Reality: Scalp psoriasis is not contagious. All types of psoriasis including scalp psoriasis will not spread to other people, and for that matter will not spread to other areas on the body.
Treating a Scalp Rash – What Causes Itchy Scalp Problems
Nov 8th
Dee Cohen asked:
Whether you have a scalp rash or your scalp is very itchy , it can be frustrating and make you self-conscious. First of all, it’s important to see what the features are of the itchy scalp problem. Does it itch but have no rash? Are the red spots near your ears predominately? Do you have itching on other parts of your body or is it just on your scalp? Are you experiencing hair loss? Is your whole body skin area dry and do you experience dandruff and skin flaking?
There are several conditions that can cause a scalp rash, dry scalp itching, scalp flaking or hair loss. Let’s review a few:
1) Ringworm: Ringworm of the scalp or tinea captis is a fungal skin infection. It needs to be treated as it can spread and it can cause hair loss that does not grow back. It can be crusty and scaly in patches. The patches can be circular and have raised edges. If the problem is severe oral medication. However, often for typical cases a shampoo that contains selenium sulfide or zinc pyrithione is prescribed., Depending on the extent of the ringworm, the physician may recommend an over the counter anti-fungal for the scalp.
2) Head Lice: Lice can spread easily around schools and many schools will send out a notification if a child in the class or school has been diagnosed with head lice. There are one percent creams available that contain permethrin. This is used to treat and control the problem. The insects don’t have wings. The nits (or eggs) can often be seen in the ear area or neck below hair.
3) Eczema: This is also called seborrhoeic dermatitis. Some attribute this to yeast growth. If you notice additional patches on your elbows and needs you may have psoriasis. These can be a darker color. Dandruff is a form of seborrhoeic dermatitis. A scalp problem due to seborrhoeic dermatitis can afflict teens going through the hormonal changes just as the t-zone on the skin can get more oily and develop acne issues.
Determining the cause of the scalp rash is the best way to figure out treatment. Try to avoid scratching the head to prevent exacerbating the problem or causing any bacterial infections.
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Whether you have a scalp rash or your scalp is very itchy , it can be frustrating and make you self-conscious. First of all, it’s important to see what the features are of the itchy scalp problem. Does it itch but have no rash? Are the red spots near your ears predominately? Do you have itching on other parts of your body or is it just on your scalp? Are you experiencing hair loss? Is your whole body skin area dry and do you experience dandruff and skin flaking?
There are several conditions that can cause a scalp rash, dry scalp itching, scalp flaking or hair loss. Let’s review a few:
1) Ringworm: Ringworm of the scalp or tinea captis is a fungal skin infection. It needs to be treated as it can spread and it can cause hair loss that does not grow back. It can be crusty and scaly in patches. The patches can be circular and have raised edges. If the problem is severe oral medication. However, often for typical cases a shampoo that contains selenium sulfide or zinc pyrithione is prescribed., Depending on the extent of the ringworm, the physician may recommend an over the counter anti-fungal for the scalp.
2) Head Lice: Lice can spread easily around schools and many schools will send out a notification if a child in the class or school has been diagnosed with head lice. There are one percent creams available that contain permethrin. This is used to treat and control the problem. The insects don’t have wings. The nits (or eggs) can often be seen in the ear area or neck below hair.
3) Eczema: This is also called seborrhoeic dermatitis. Some attribute this to yeast growth. If you notice additional patches on your elbows and needs you may have psoriasis. These can be a darker color. Dandruff is a form of seborrhoeic dermatitis. A scalp problem due to seborrhoeic dermatitis can afflict teens going through the hormonal changes just as the t-zone on the skin can get more oily and develop acne issues.
Determining the cause of the scalp rash is the best way to figure out treatment. Try to avoid scratching the head to prevent exacerbating the problem or causing any bacterial infections.
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Shampoo Selection – How To Choose Shampoos, The Best Dandruff Treatments & Natural Dandruff Remedies
Sep 24th
Mia Wadsworth asked:
How do we choose the shampoo that we use? Or for that matter, any of the cosmetics that are on the dresser? It is funny to hear the answers: Many of us will answer that it is the strength and quality of the advertisement campaign that did the trick. For some it is the shape of the bottle, for others it is the fragrance and yet others fall prey to door-to-door salesmen. How many of us actually look at the ingredients on the back of the bottle to get an idea as to what you are exposing your body to?
Some of the harmful ingredients that are added to shampoos are listed below.
• Formaldehyde: Used as a preservative
How do we choose the shampoo that we use? Or for that matter, any of the cosmetics that are on the dresser? It is funny to hear the answers: Many of us will answer that it is the strength and quality of the advertisement campaign that did the trick. For some it is the shape of the bottle, for others it is the fragrance and yet others fall prey to door-to-door salesmen. How many of us actually look at the ingredients on the back of the bottle to get an idea as to what you are exposing your body to?
Some of the harmful ingredients that are added to shampoos are listed below.
• Formaldehyde: Used as a preservative
• Coal Tar: Found in anti-dandruff shampoos
• SLS’s Sodium Laureth and Sodium Lauryl Sulphates: Used as degreasers and strip the natural oils from your skin and scalp paving the way for dandruff and other scalp problems to arise.
• Ethylene diamine (tetracetic acid) : Used as a stabilizer
• D&C Green 5 : Coloring agent
• Ketoconazole: A synthetic antifungal drug
• Selenium sulfide: Active ingredient in anti-dandruff shampoos
Apart from these there are also other toxic substances like Alkyl-phenol ethioxlades, Propylene glycol, Voriconazole, Calcipotriol (INN), or calcipotriene (USAN) that are poison for our skin and body.
All these toxins are causing agents of various irritants like itching, fungal infection, lowering of sperm count, fertility problems in women, liver infection, cancer of skin… the list is endless.
Most of the anti-dandruff shampoos just act to temporarily address the problem that is in hand by masking the symptom. They do not act in replenishing the irritated itchy scalp with the lost nourishment it needs, and in fact man aggravate the problem further so after a certain dormant period the problem resurfaces.
But don’t lose heart. There are solutions at hand. Pure natural ways to healthy scalp and hair. Many companies are coming out with herbal solutions to all your hair care problems. The active ingredients in these products are 100% natural. Some of these products include:
• Zinc Pyrithione
• Salycylic Acid (from Willow Bark)
• Tea Tree Oil (melaleuca)
• Virgin Cocnut oil (Non processed)
• New Zealand Manuka
• Guava
• Wild Cherry
• Chamomile
• Horsetail
• Nettle
• Aloe Barbabenis
• Neem Oil
• Lavender Oil
• Rosemary Oil
All of the above natural products are soothing to the skin and act as an herbal analgesic or have anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and antiseptic properties. Some of them help to bring down inflammation. Most of them are filled with vitamins and minerals that are important to maintenance of a healthy body. A lot of these natural remedies help in detoxification of the body.
So the next time you buy a shampoo or any hair care product, see what has gone into making it. It is very important to go in for products that have no side effects and those that eliminate your problems right from the roots.
There are so many shampoos that have naturally derived ingredients that are just as if not more powerful than their drug based counterparts. Once you know what to avoid and what to look for instead as ingredients you will be well on your way to a healthy scalp and beautifully conditioned hair.
And if you use natural plant & nut oils you can give your hair and scalp an effective treatment that many people report to cure dandruff and itchy scalp – without the need for any other treatment whatsoever. After all our hair & scalp deserves a treat too and why not if its easy and costs peanuts to do.
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