How To Relieve an Itchy Scalp
In an another article, I uncovered the little known reason behind “why she pats her hair weave”. This article is especially for those of you who clearly understood the wicked itch I was describing. That is because you are wearing either a full sewn in hair weave or hair braid extensions. This information really applies to any hairstyle that because of its somewhat permanent nature prevents you from freely running your fingers or a comb, etc. through your hair in order to fully stimulate your scalp.
First, we need to understand the reason your scalp is itching so fiercely. It is very likely due to perspiration residue or, in other words dried sweat. When your scalp perspires it becomes warm and moist or even wet. Our body’s perspiration has a saltiness, which actually helps draw out the moisture. But after it cools down and then dries, this salty residue that remains from your perspiration can lead to a dry, tight feeling on the scalp. This is the perfect environment for bacteria to begin to grow.
Since scalp condition varies from person to person the rate of growth of bacteria will also be different. One person may not notice itching right away or even at all because the may not perspire as readily as another person.
Imagine after an intense workout and you’re completely drenched in perspiration. But instead of heading to the shower, you wait until you cool down and then you put on all of your clothes. You continue to skip the shower…. for days. After you start to itch, still avoiding the shower now you decide to slather yourself in oil or grease to calm down the itch. In this context, rubbing yourself down in oil instead of using water sounds absolutely ridiculous doesn’t it? But remember your scalp is also skin. So if you think you should “oil your scalp” or “grease your scalp” because it itches, please stop. You are most likely going to make the situation even worse.
Well now I hope you are getting a very vivid picture of why your scalp itches like the devil. More frequent shampooing is what would be ideal but since that isn’t always possible or practical for everyone there are some temporary solutions.
Here is a quick fix that should help to calm down the itch in between shampooing. You need to use an antiseptic to help cleanse the scalp of bacteria build up. I usually recommend Seabreeze or Listerine. Wait a minute “Isn’t Listerine a mouthwash?” you say. Yes, it is and that is why the popular promo commercial says, “Kills the germs that cause bad breath”. Listerine mouthwash happens to be a very powerful antiseptic. Similar products with antiseptic properties are Witch Hazel and Peroxide.
You can apply carefully with a Q-tip so that you will only touch your scalp. Or if it doesn’t matter if your hair gets wet you spray on undiluted antiseptic of choice using a spray bottle.
