![]() Green says precancerous lesions can be treated with creams and blue light after a discussion with your dermatologist. Next steps: About 10 percent of these actually become cancerous, so see your derm ASAP to have it checked and, if needed, removed. What causes it: It’s called actinic keratosis, and it’s the result of sun exposure over many years, says Dr. Patients may also experience hair loss from the targeted scratching, she explains. Green describes precancerous lesions as red, scaly, and itchy patches on your body. What it looks and feels like: A crusty spot about a quarter-inch in diameter. Your doc can prescribe stronger remedies if needed. ![]() How to get relief: If your dermatologist determines you have psoriasis, use a shampoo with coal tar-sounds weird, but it works-like Neutrogena T/Gel Therapeutic Shampoo ($5), says dermatologist Joshua Zeichner, MD, the director of cosmetic and clinical research at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City. Things like stress, an infection, some medications, and cold, dry weather can trigger flares, though. What causes it: This is an autoimmune condition and it runs in families, according to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD). What it looks and feels like: Your itch is just in one spot, and you have raised, scaly patches. "It's an old wives tale that actually works!" She also recommends the Keravive Scalp Treatment and frequent hair washing. "I know that sounds really disgusting, but olive oil will help with the dryness," she says. Green sometimes tells her patients to put olive oil in their hair. Scorching temps from styling tools like blow-dryers, flat irons, and curling irons can also dry out the scalp and cause itchiness, so keep heat settings on medium. If the irritation goes away, replace them with fragrance- or PG-free options (for the latter, try the Alba Botanica shampoo, $18.99). How to get relief: Stop using these products for a week. "The allergen is often fragrance or a moisturizing agent called propylene glycol (PG)," she adds. What causes it: Ingredients in some hair products can prompt an allergic reaction, says Maria Hordinsky, MD, a professor and the chair of dermatology at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis. Your hair often gets irritated when you put a lot of product in it, and that can cause you to scratch, per Dr. What it looks and feels like: Your whole scalp feels itchy and either dry or overly greasy. Green gives Head & Shoulders and Nizorol her gold star of approval, saying they're "the only things on the market that work." Still itching after a few weeks? You may need to visit your derm to see if something else is going on. How to get relief: Vigorously massaging shampoo into your scalp (not just into your hair) may lift product buildup, but if flaking persists, use shampoo containing zinc or salicylic acid, which treats fungus, buildup, and oil, like Head & Shoulders Classic Clean Shampoo($6) or Nizorol Anti-Dandruff Shampoo ($25). What causes it: Dandruff has three main causes: an oily scalp (not a dry one), a buildup of dead skin or styling products, or a yeast-like fungus called Malassezia. What it looks and feels like: You've got white flakes and itchiness all over your head. Ramya Garlapati is a dermatologist based in LA. ![]() Rodney is a dermatologist and dermatopathologist and the founding director of Eternal Dermatology + Aesthetics In Fulton, Maryland. Green is a cosmetic dermatologist based in NYC. Whether you're dealing with itching caused by greasy hair or lice you picked up at a weekend getaway, here are tips and tricks to help you get relief. So, resist the urge even if you really, really want to. In many of these cases, “the more you scratch, the worse your condition gets,” says Michele Green, MD, a cosmetic dermatologist based in NYC. And while they are still treatable, you may need to seek professional help to clear them up. Think: precancerous lesions, allergic reactions, and nerve issues. Other causes may be a little more serious. There are many different causes of an itchy scalp, “including skin conditions such as seborrheic dermatitis, scalp psoriasis, eczema, head lice and reactions to hair products to name a few,” dermatologist Ramya Garlapati, MD, says. But there are many reasons why you're suddenly scratching your head 24/7, and most of them are normal.ĭandruff and fungus, for example, are common, manageable conditions that could be solved with the right shampoo or an OTC med. The experience is never fun, and can cause some panic if it’s new and appeared out of nowhere. ![]() Anyone who deals with an itchy scalp knows that sometimes, it can appear out of nowhere, during any time of the year.
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