14 replies to this topic

[RobinLindsay]

Hello!

So I've had an issue with dry itchy scalp for a LONG time! I've tried so many different shampoos from drugstore shampoo, no poo (which, ironically, my hair is too greasy for :[ ), and even fancy expensive salon shampoo and conditioning treatments I've gotten through my sister who is a hair stylist. Right nowi am using a moisturizing shampoo with tea tree. I really only have one problem spot, it's all really itchy but there is one spot on the back of my head right in the middle at the base of my skull. It gets so bad I get scabs that then flake off and looks like terrible dandruff. Especially when I put my hair up. Recently I've been putting extra conditioner on the spot and have been putting leave-in conditioner right on the spot and it helps for a little while (I say as I'm scratching my head). If anyone knows of ANYTHING that could help - a shampoo bar I could make (preferable CP) or an oil that I could even just put a dab on my trouble spot (but ideally, I'd like something that I could use on my whole head because, like I mentioned before, it itches all over). I don't think any hot oil treatments would work. My hair builds up really easily and looks greasy.

Thank you all SO MUCH!!

-robin

[connieb]

My husband has really bad patches of what we think is eczema and we have tried a LOT of things on it, it gets dry and itchy and scaly. Someone suggested I make a balm with Neem oil in it and I did and it has done wonders for the itchy scaly stuff. Maybe you could make some type of shampoo or bar with this in it or just use the oil straight as a treatment say overnight it you wash your hair in the mornings? Beware though it smells BAD! But we decided the benefit was worth it.

[www.naturallysuperb.com]

I also have an itchy spot in the back of my head. The only thing that seems to help is, after washing and conditioning my hair, I spray apple cider vinegar on that area. It seems to help. I think it's hard to get all the shampoo out when your hair is really thick.

Freeda

[RobinLindsay]

I have super thin hair so that is not a problem hahs! I will try the been oil and I e been looking at babassu (sp?) oil as well. I'm working on formulating a shampoo bar. Ive never tried the vinegar. Thanks for the suggestions!

[Babs]

Everyone in our family has a similar problem and we found that we can't let our hair air dry. To avoid the itchy, scabby head we have to blow dry our hair. Wet hair lying on the scalp is a fungi garden :-). I have naturally curly hair and prefer to let my hair dry naturally so I have to compromise and blow it dry about every third shower or so. A real pain in the neck when you're showering all the time in the summer.

[Babs]

Forgot to mention that Argan oil is good for hair and scalp.

[RobinLindsay]

Thanks for the tip! My hair is tooth in and air dries in a snap, but I will definitely add argon oil to my list of oils!

[RobinLindsay]

So I've been looking up argan oil, I've heard of it but I've never really given it much thought before. Didn't realize it was like oil royalty or something ha. Anyway, if I'm formulating a shampoo bar what would the percentage be on the oil? Is just a tiny bit enough? It's rather expensive. Or should I just use it straight and not mess with soap or anything. I don't want to put it in a shampoo bar and have it not be useful in that regard..

[Babs]

I've never made/used a shampoo bar but my general rule is not to use expensive oils in a wash off product. My goal for any of my soaps is to not be drying. I don't expect a soap to moisturize. There's a big difference. I would use the argan oil as an after product. You would really use very little. A couple of drops I would think. I know people use it to massage into the scalp and also to smooth on their hair very lightly...usually just the ends. I've made a wonderful facial oil using argan oil in my blend and it is just THE BEST. Wonderful on the lips too! It's great for roseatia (sp?) and psoriasis.

[RobinLindsay]

Thanks, that's a great tip. I found Arran oil in a small bottle with a dropper, since my trouble spot in on the back of me head that would probably work great. I've been looking up shampoo bars and most people advise not to use a conditioner after. I guessed that maybe they had a higher super fat % but thats just a guess. I played with soapcalc fr a few hours using oils that are supposed to be good or hair, scalp, and dry skin issues like eczema and came up with a recipe Id like to try. The numbers look good to me, but I'm still retry new to this. It's got a lower cleansing and higher conditioning number, but not to extreme on either end of the spectrum. It's really hard to figure out what your hair needs when you have a dry scalp and hair that seems to get oily easily...

[lovemyskin]

A little dab of sea breeze on the scalp might help.

[lauramw71]

I have very fine hair also, and any type of oil just makes it blah. I had purchased a bar of pine tar soap for my hunny who has a dry itchy scalp and it really helped him! doesn't smell the greatest, but helped! The argan oil worked great for my son's dry skin. You could try massaging a bit on your scalp at night and washing it out the next morning. If you formulate anything for yourself, try to stay aways from any types of silicone as it's not a friend of our thin hair.

[maclinda]

I used to have a similar problem. Turns out I was sensitive to commercial shampoos (really anything with detergent) and became VERY sensitized to chemical hair color. Here all those years I thought I just had an itchy head and yes, right there in the back.

[RobinLindsay]

I think I'd cry if I had to stop getting my hair colored. My sister is a stylist and des it for free. I do t think the coloring is a. Issue though since the last time I got my hair colored was Christmas (and this problem began way before I was ever allowed to color my hair) I'm guessing the commercial shampoos don't help!

[cmzaha]

I have terrible eczema and my scalp can get really bad. I make a beer and rosemary bar for using on my hair with some neem in it and it is working great. I tested and went back to regular shampoo and my scalp broke out again. I am a retired cosmetologist and believe me it was hard for me to go to bar soap for my hair. To many years in an industry that believes in shampoo! Also, and I don't want to sound a traitor to all our soaps, but I use african black soap on my hair. I switch off between my rosemary and the black soap. No more itch or breaking out of the scalp! Can't say that for other place on the body :-( . Speaking of neem oil, I happen to like the smell of it and so do my customers that come back for it. I make a neem soap with 30% neem and it is a geat seller. Once a person trys it they usually come back for more