Itchy Scalp In Summer – What Causes It?
If you suffer from an itchy scalp, you might think that the problem is worse in the heat. As the temperatures rise and you sweat more, you see the dandruff flakes start to appear. So you wonder why you have an itchy head in summer.
But the weather is not always the root cause. In fact, it’s quite likely to be dandruff.
An itchy scalp in summer is a common sign of dandruff as your scalp is exposed to external factors during the hot months. This can aggravate an itchy scalp due to sweating and heat exposure. And so you feel like the summer is the cause, but they both work hand in hand.
How summer can affect dandruff
Itching is a response by your brain to some form of irritation. And when you invariably scratch, you damage your scalp and hair follicles even more. It’s a vicious cycle you can get caught in. But the irritants can be varied. Having an itchy scalp in summer could be because of head lice, or allergic reactions, or even bacterial infections. But most likely it’s caused by a fungus called Malassezia, better known as the fungus which is the cause of dandruff.
During the summer months, these dandruff causing microbes thrive and multiply. They break down the natural oils present on your scalp and create oleic acid which is an irritant for some. You might think you have an itchy scalp due to sweating, but it’s most likely dandruff creating a layer of dead skin that makes you itch. It can be caused by a combination of poor hair care, harsh chemical products, and too much exposure to heat.
To get rid of an itchy scalp caused by dandruff, you need to tackle the root cause of the problem – dandruff. Choose an anti-dandruff shampoo like Head & Shoulders, which has been proven in hundreds of clinical studies to tackle dandruff-causing microbes and to remove flakes. There are shampoos which have been developed especially for an itchy head in summer – the Cool Menthol for example, tackles itching the moment it hits your head. It gives you an instant cooling effect that is perfect for hot summer days.
In addition, you can use the Supreme Scalp Rejuvenation shampoo which uses Argan oil to calm an itchy scalp due to sweating. You could also employ the Supreme Scalp Soothing shampoo with Argan oil and Aloe vera, that moisturises and removes any question of an itchy scalp when hot. These are shampoos that have been specifically designed to soothe and relieve your scalp of that itchy feeling. They remove all excess forms of dandruff causing sebum, and nourish your scalp for a calming effect.
More about itchy head
There are certain changes you can make in your life to reduce the occurrence of an itchy scalp when sweating.
1. Hair washing regimen
It is vital to not ignore your hair and just expect one day of shampoo to solve all your itching problems. You have to regularly wash your hair with the right shampoos, so that your roots are clear of any excess oil and all those damaging microbes are washed away.
2. Aloe vera, Lemon and Neem
Some of these household items can soothe an itchy scalp when hot. They are packed with nutrients that can tackle different causes of your itching. There are various methods of using these - you can drink them or apply them. It is important to research in detail before using them.
3. Foods and diet
What you put into your body is equally important as what you put on it. Check for any allergy causing foods. Incorporate Vitamin E and A, along with healthy fatty acids into your diet. Reduce your alcohol, caffeine and sugar consumption during the hotter months, and hydrate regularly.
4. Essential oils or Argan oil
Massaging these oils can open up pores and increase blood circulation to your scalp. Argan oil is rich in Vitamin E, that lends protection to the head by retaining moisture and creating a barrier to overheating.
5. Avoid harsh hair-care products
Some chemicals can cause severe damage to your scalp and hair, without you even realising it. They can also cause issues with an already scarred scalp, by removing any protective lipids present, thereby leaving your scalp vulnerable.
6. Sharing personal hair-care tools
How do you know what is the condition of somebody else’s scalp? So, when you share hair-care tools and products, it’s transferring their microbes onto your hair. That could be the reason for having an itchy scalp when sweating, and we blame the sweat.
Having the question of ‘why does my scalp itch when I sweat’ in our minds is extremely distracting. It can take us away from our daily work, our daily chores, and can be annoying to deal with in the heat. It becomes that much more necessary to nip this in the bud, so that we can go back to leading our lives, and hopefully have a clean scalp supporting luxurious hair.
