Updated: May 17, 2021
In this article, we’re going to provide the 13 best holistic home remedies to provide relief for an itchy scalp! This will especially be helpful if you suffer from an itchy scalp, and are not quite sure of what’s causing it.
Having an itchy scalp can not only be irritating and painful, but it can also prevent or slow down your hair growth! This is because scratching your scalp with your fingernails can lead to further irritation and hair follicle damage.
Fear not! Relief is on the way.
Let’s finally dive into the 13 proven remedies you can use to relieve your itchy scalp at home!
13 Proven Home Remedies for an Itchy Scalp
The top 13 proven home remedies for an itchy scalp are:
- Apple Cider Vinegar
- Aloe Vera Juice
- Peppermint Oil
- Tea Tree Oil
- Micellar Cleansing Water
- Do Scalp Massages
- Use a Shower Filter
- Reduce or Stop Scalp Oiling
- The Inversion Method
- Change your Scarf, Bonet or Pillowcase More Often
- Reduce Stress
- Eat a Healthy & Nutrient-Rich Diet
- Drink More Water
Here are the details of how to relieve your itchy scalp.
1. Apple Cider Vinegar
ACV is antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal, and as such, is one of the best ingredients to fight scalp irritation and itching. We have a detailed post about the benefits of apple cider vinegar in this post here.
To use apple cider vinegar to stop itching, mix 1 tbsp of apple cider vinegar to 3 tbsp of water in a spray bottle. Spray it directly on your scalp and let it sit for 5-10 minutes before rinsing it out.
You can do this on washday after shampooing and before your deep conditioner step. You can also do this if you have braids or protective styles that are too itchy! Spray the diluted ACV on your scalp and rinse it out to stop the itching immediately!
2. Aloe Vera Juice
Aloe vera is an ingredient that has been proven to fight scalp inflammation, itching, and even seborrheic dermatitis. This ingredient is also one of the easiest ways to stop scalp itch!
Spray aloe vera juice directly on the scalp and massage it in whenever you experience itching. Aloe vera is extremely hydrating, as well as a mild cleanser so it helps to hydrate your scalp as well as rid it of excess oil.
3. Peppermint Oil
You should never use essential oils directly on your scalp. So to combat itching, we recommend mixing about 4 drops of peppermint oil with a tablespoon of olive oil and lightly dabbing that around your scalp.
Peppermint oil works so well as a remedy for scalp itch because of its anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties. It is also astringent and it offers cooling and warming sensations on the scalp that can numb the itchy scalp.
4. Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil has similar properties to peppermint oil and as such, works for the same reasons. It is antibacterial, anti-fungal, and antibacterial which helps combat scalp irritations!
You should mix tea tree oil into a carrier oil like olive oil or avocado oil and apply it directly to the scalp.
5. Micellar Cleansing Water
This is one remedy that works well especially when you have a protective style you’re not ready to wash. Micellar water is made of purified water, glycerin, and tiny balls of cleansing oils which are mild surfactants.
To use micellar water to stop your scalp from itching, soak a cotton ball or pad with it and use that to gently scrub the scalp.
6. Do Scalp Massages
If your itchy scalp is caused by dryness or restricted blood flow you can stop the itch by doing scalp massages regularly.
You can use the pads of your fingers or this scalp massage brush we love from Vanity Planet which you can find at Walmart here! Perform the scalp massages for 5-10 minutes every other night!
This is because scalp massages help keep blood and nourishment flowing to the scalp and hair follicles!
7. Use a Shower Filter
Mineral buildup as a result of washing your hair with hard water can also cause an itchy scalp. If this is the case, be sure to use a water softening system or a shower head filter to remove as much of the minerals, and toxins in your water as possible.
This simple change could stop the scalp itch for good, as well as improve the overall condition and shine of your hair!
Here’s a water filter from Walmart that would serve this purpose well!
8. Stop or Reduce Scalp Oiling
It may seem counter-intuitive because oiling the scalp is great for hair growth, and overall hair health. However, if you’ve ever wondered why your scalp itches after applying oil, it’s because using too much oil and it’s causing your hair follicles to get clogged and irritated.
Especially if the oils aren’t being regularly washed out from the scalp.
We recommend using less oil directly on your scalp. Put a little oil on the pads of your fingers and massage your whole scalp with that. Do this instead of pointing your applicator bottle directly on the scalp and flooding it.
You can also try hot oil treatments as a form of pre-poo treatment to make sure you can get the benefits of hair growth oils, and still be able to wash the oils out to prevent itching!
You can read more about how to do a hot oil treatment in our article here.
9. The Inversion Method
Similar to the need for scalp massages, using the inversion method is a great way to get the blood flowing to your head and scalp. This is because blood flow causes cell regeneration which promotes healing.
In other words, if you have any open wound on the scalp or the skin there is inflamed and irritated, promoting blood flow is a great way to stop that.
For this, perform a forward fold while standing (i.e. standing up straight and bending forward until your head is as close to your knees as possible). You can also try this by dangling your head off the side of the bed as you lay across it. Perform this for about 1 minute 3 times a week. Always stop and get out of the position slowly if you feel dizzy or lightheaded!
You can read our fully detailed post about the benefits of the inversion method here.
10. Change your Scarf, Bonet or Pillowcase more Often
A great way to stop an itchy scalp might be to get rid of anything that might be causing the irritation. The source of this irritation or itch might be the scarf, bonet, or pillowcase that you sleep on. Changing and washing these more often can get rid of the irritation.
11. Reduce Stress
A lot of inflammation is caused by stress, so reducing stress is a great way to reduce this inflammation. You can reduce stress either via exercise, meditation, or other forms of stress management.
12. Eat a Healthy & Nutrient-Rich Diet
Inflammation, dryness, and itching can sometimes be the body’s response to nutrient depletion. As a result, eating a nutrient-dense diet full of fruits and vegetables and could be the boost your system needs!
Just be sure you’re getting your daily dose of Iron, Vitamins B, C, Zinc, Magnesium as well as Potassium from your food or from dietary supplements!
13. Drink More Water
If the itchy scalp is caused by dryness, there is no better way to re-hydrate it than from the inside out. Aim to drink at least 1½ gallons of water a day to rule out dehydration as the cause of the problem.
Don’t forget to let us know in the comment section which one of these remedies worked best for you. When you find the right combination that stops your scalp itch for good, be sure to write it down in your hair journal so you never forget it! (grab a free one here)
