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Home » Categories » Health » Skin Care » How to Treat Itchy Flaky Scalp Skin - Expert Advice on Dandruff and Scalp Psoriasis » Printer Friendly

Kacycarr Kacycarr (308,842)
Kacycarr

How to Treat Itchy Flaky Scalp Skin - Expert Advice on Dandruff and Scalp Psoriasis

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Submitted Monday, February 02, 2009
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Itchy flaky Scalp - Nearly every woman on the planet takes pride in her hair and why wouldn`t she, when her hair and maybe style represents everything about that particular woman in general.  Many women have admitted to being vastly conscious about their hair than that of wrinkles, varicose veins and puffy eyes etc.  The unfortunate woman, who finds that every day is a bad hair day for her and, no matter what she does it still looks dull, drab and limp, feels like it`s the end of the world. This should not be seen as a problem because hair treatments can put life back into your hair. Hair will shine and bounce healthily again if you use the ideal solutions. If problem hair is the result of a scalp condition which causes flaky dry itchy skin then it`s another matter and, you now have to treat a separate condition before setting about revitalizing the hair back to health.

You will only ever have good hair if you have a healthy scalp. The purpose of the scalp is to grow and hold strong strands of hair. Problem hair can stem from specific environments, for instance: indoor air can take moisture and dissolve protective oils from the skin on your head, leaving it itchy and flaky making it difficult to maintain and unmanageable. Women forget that the scalp is skin to and will regularly treat the face, body, legs and arms with lotions and moisturizers forgetting the scalp.

Scalp skin renews itself every 28 days by ridding dead cells and permitting new ones to surface. Cold temperatures and low humidity, a reaction to harsh chemicals which are found in specific permanent hair colors or buildup from styling hair products can upset the natural exfoliating process--causing cells to heap up and turn into fine flakes. Massing clogs hair follicles and prevents secretion of sebum, further exacerbating dryness. The obvious signs of a dry scalp are small dust flakes as opposed to having dandruff, which is activated by a fungus and results in white, oily tufts. Dandruff is not normally a serious issue other than cause you embarrassment. There are treatments for ridding dandruff and when it`s gone the name calling stops "snow shoulders."

If you have an itchy flaky scalp and find the itch the most discomforting then you must look towards easing the itch so as not to be tempted to scratch. I know it`s easier said than done but you have to avoid scratching the scalp. Flaky skin is irritating but scratching the head can cause hair damage. Products you should use are a moisturizing shampoo. You may have a favorite shampoo you like and don`t want to change, but you may have to because it could well be the reason for your problem. It costs nothing but a little time to experiment. Look for ingredients that help lock in moisture, such as sea-buckthorn oil, found in Aveda Scalp  

  • Every time you wash and shampoo your hair massage conditioner into your scalp to hydrate it, this will remove much of the flakes.
  • Use clarifying shampoo to use on your hair every week. These deep-cleaning formulas rid hair of product buildup and help loosen dead skin cells on the scalp. The more dead skin removed eases the itch.
  • Wash hair with warm water, not hot as it can draw natural oils from your scalp, making it ultra dry and sensitive; also keep your hairdryer at the low level. If you`ve tried every trick in the book for your itchy flaky scalp then you may need to see a dermatologist.  The dermatologist will examine the scalp for a fungal infection, such as dandruff or ringworm. Treatment for this normally consists of a topical steroid cream or shampoo, which will calm irritation and itch within a few days.

Dry scalp is common but easily remedied and, the solution is to deep-clean the scalp and adding plenty of hydration. Scaling scalp conditions affect 1 in 4 people at some time - although they are not usually serious they can however be nasty and embarrassing. If you believe you`re a person prone to stubborn dandruff, seborrhoeic dermatitis, and other itchy, flaky scalp conditions then speak with your GP. If we are certain that the reason for the itchy flaky scalp is that of dandruff then let us look at the treatments and causes of why it happens.  Dandruff, the most regular scaling scalp condition is simply a buildup of dead skin cells on the scalp.

Dandruff we connect with higher than usual levels of natural yeast called 'malassezia furfur'. Each one of us have this on our scalp but have no problem derive from it, whereas in a sufferer the yeast flourishes on the clustered skin cells, making the condition a slight more severe. Symptoms are white flakes (excess skin cells) which fall out of the hair and settles on the shoulders. Not all dandruff reaches this far as it may remain in hair partings. Dandruff can cause intense itching which is thought to be caused by increased levels of yeast called malassezia furfur. Scalp skin is sensitive and tearing away at it with fingernails could draw blood. Constant scratching can leave the scalp sore and painful. Bother genders can suffer from dandruff and it can show at any time, but is most common in people in their twenties and thirties, disappearing with age.

Looking towards the more serious of why you may have an itchy flaky scalp problem could be due to Scalp psoriasis which is a chronic skin disease in which skin cells form up to six times quicker than usual, dividing and shedding in days instead of weeks. Great numbers of surplus skin cells then build up on the scalp.

The surplus skin cells mass on the scalp and form raised pink patches. These then usually cover over with dead cells, which appear as fine silvery scales. They are seen more clearly around the hairline and ears.  Surface scales drift down and is then easily confused with dandruff. The under scales stay in position and remain steadfast to the scalp. You can never be too sure about conditions and, making assumptions based on hearsay or, what you may read, is not good enough to determine a health issue. It is in your best interest to seek medical advice before treating something you're not sure about, because what you can be sure about is, if you treat a particular condition with the wrong medication then you will surely know about it. Around 2% of the UK population has some form of psoriasis (scalp or body). Psoriasis is a hereditary. It tends to run in families, however not everyone will get it.

Ways to help hide your problem itchy scaly scalp condition below.

  • Hide scalp scales by choosing a hairstyle without a parting, and one which covers the hairline.
  • Swap dark or plain clothing for a lighter shade this way the scales won`t show up as much, unless they flutter down in your soup.
  • Have a small clothes brush on your personal to sweep away scales.
  • Avoid bleaching or coloring the hair as certain chemicals used may irritate your scalp.
  • Scratching the scalp can aggravate the condition and have you loosen scales.
  • Massage the scalp gently when you wash your hair, and rinse thoroughly before drying. When you have finished with the towel remove it so no one else can use it.
  • Brush or comb the hair lightly so as not to scrape the scalp and do not use these items either for relieving an itch.

If you`re itchy skin issue isPsoriasis or another Dry Skin problem then suggested treatments here






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Comments on this article: (2 total)


» left by Riley Andrews (370) (49 days 5 hours ago.)
Reader Rating: 4 out of 5
All I know is old school Head and Shoulders seems to do the trick... thanks for the article

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» left by Kacy Carr (48 days 19 hours ago.)
Thanks Riley there is bottle of the old faithful (H/S) standing in my bathroom cabinet as we speak
 
Stay safe
 
Kacy

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Article added to SearchWarp.com on 2/2/2009 3:27:02 PM.
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