itchy scalp remedy

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I'll try not to get too TMI-y with the scalp conditions of my son and me. Our youngest was visiting for the holidays and going out of his mind with an itchy scalp and the store-bought hydrocortisone did "nothing." He was driving us all nuts because he kept slapping his head (sadly not hard enough to knock some sense into himself). I thought to myself, hmm, this dad must have something in his soap shop to help. So I whipped up a small bowl of castor oil, olive oil, and tea tree essential oil. He said he got immediate relief.

I have my own issues. One of them is that the dermatologist freezes certain spots, and those take forever to heal (like months). So I also decided to use my concoction. There was a dramatic difference after just 1-2 applications! Sadly, my long thick locks have not regrown despite @AliOop 's promises. Ahem. Ode to Castor oil
 
So funny to see this thread pop up. Just today, I made a 500 gram batch of shampoo bars for Winter/Itchy scalp. In it, I've added all kinds of ingredients that might help with itchy scalp. Included are things like: colloidal oatmeal, Nettle extract, White Willow Bark extract, Burdock Root extract, and Marshmallow-infused avocado oil. I subbed the cocamidopropyl betaine with Foaming Oats and scented it with Rosemary and Tea Tree essential oils, both of which are great for hair and scalp.
 
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This is great for preventing hair loss and helping with regrowth.

8g Bhringraj powder
8g Amla powder
8g Rosemary
67g Coconut oil or mct oil
If dandruff is a concern, add 8g of white willow bark.

Keep refrigerated

Infuse the herbs in the oil at 115 degrees F for 4 hrs - do not allow the temp to rise above 120/125.
Cool and strain.

Massage into scalp 3x per week. Leave it in as long as possible ... 4 hrs or overnight is best.
 
My mother had developed scalp eczema out of nowhere. It was pretty bad. You could see the flakes of skin in her hair. I gave her some castor oil with tea tree and rosemary in a dropper bottle. She applied it to her scalp a couple times a week before bed and washed the next day. It was cleared up within a couple of weeks and strangely enough, it hasn’t come back.
 
I have my own issues. One of them is that the dermatologist freezes certain spots, and those take forever to heal (like months). So I also decided to use my concoction. There was a dramatic difference after just 1-2 applications! Sadly, my long thick locks have not regrown despite @AliOop 's promises. Ahem. Ode to Castor oil
Ahem, indeed. Sounds like I should have included the usual lawyerly disclaimers when discussing castor oil's magical (and apparently fickle) properties. ;)

Glad you found something that works for the itchiness and healing tho, and thanks for sharing that so others can benefit.

This is great for preventing hair loss and helping with regrowth.

8g Bhringraj powder
8g Amla powder
8g Rosemary
67g Coconut oil or mct oil
If dandruff is a concern, add 8g of white willow bark.

Keep refrigerated

Infuse the herbs in the oil at 115 degrees F for 4 hrs - do not allow the temp to rise above 120/125.
Cool and strain.

Massage into scalp 3x per week. Leave it in as long as possible ... 4 hrs or overnight is best.
Funny thing about hair remedies, we all seem to respond so differently to them. I unsuccessfully used a very similar concoction using different oils (because raw CO does not agree with my skin/hair at all). But I do love hearing all the different options because ya just never know which one will be the winner for you.
 
A good remedy for itchy scalp is shampooing with Polysorbate 80.

It's a bit gooey to work with. I pour some in my palm and then dip my fingers in and gently rub it into the scalp, moving from the hairline to the crown of my head, adding more goop as needed along the way. I massage it in all over, add warm water to create a lather and then rinse thoroughly. It leaves my scalp feeling refreshed and clean and my hair soft and shiny. ;) :thumbs:
 
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I’m wanting to make a scalp oil for a co-worker who went to the doctor for what she thought was scalp eczema. The doctor told her to try coconut oil on her scalp at night. I told her there might be a better oil for her to use, or a combination, and made a note to self to come check the forum and with y’all. As a side note, if it’s good, I might want to use it, too, because my hair seems to be falling out in droves.
After reading this and the castor oil thread, etc. can you help me modify this as something to test in a very small batch with oils I have on hand?
45% Argan
45% Jojoba
5% Castor
5% Polysorbate 80
1% of oils Tea tree - I have no idea what %, so check my thinking?
I don’t have rosemary EO 😥
Other oils I have that might be options are olive, FCO, Sunflower, SAO, avocado….
Thanks for any guidance 🌸
 
Neem smells pretty disgusting but I think it would be good.
Chamomile can be soothing.
Camellia Oil.
Carrot seed oil.
Meadowfoam
SAO - yes.

It might be worth trying a few different recipes rather than putting everything into one batch. Let them try them out and see what works best.

Think: one or two 'carrier' oils ( main percentage e.g SAO and castor ) to provide your base, one active ingredient (e.g neem, jojoba, camellia, carrot seed, meadowfoam etc), and one essential oil (tea tree, rosemary, peppermint etc)

You can then see which ingredients work best for you/your colleague depending on individual differences.
 
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Not trying to dissuade you from your experiment, just wanted to tell you something that worked for me in the past. I have Psoriasis on scalp. Tried tons of things from Dr and over the counter. When it was at its worse in winter it got painful and itchy. A friend recommended using coconut oil (like your friends doctor). I was sceptical but tried.
I got a tub of coconut oil from Costco and put in a lot (not something you leave the house with in). I let it sit in my hair for 30-60 mins. Then I would shampoo my hair 1-2 times to wash it out. This would make my scalp feel amazing and stop the itching and pain for 5-7 days. I liked it because it was not something I had to do each day. Plus i did not have parts of my hair oily from applying a topical cream or oil each day. After 5-7 days i would repeat process. Some folks use shower caps on head so not to get oil on anything (if the sleep with it in).

Another suggestion… maybe try a batch without the poly 80? I read that poly 80 can irritate the digestive tract. If irritates the internal tissue could possibly make the already inflammation skin worse?
Just a couple thoughts…

Good luck in your experiment!
 
I would like to add my 2 cents ~ even though my body skin doesn't care for coconut oil directly (it's too harsh), I have tried it on my scalp out of desperation. I noticed I do have itchy, bumpy, flaky patches on my scalp and it's difficult to treat one's scalp because it affects the appearance of your hair, usually making it look oily/dirty. So, after some research on scalp eczema, I put some coconut oil in a 1 ounce squeeze bottle add some rosemary, tea tree and eucalyptus EOs (just my choices after research),then squeeze it on the eczema patches and rub it in about 30 minutes prior to a shower, then wash my hair as usual.
It does help. And I think since I don't wash my hair but 2-3 times per week (not daily), the coconut oil is ok for me. So, let her try it and experiment. Coconut is a natural cleanser that is antibacterial in itself and it is recommended for eczema so start there, then make adjustments if it doesn't work 😉
 
I’m wanting to make a scalp oil for a co-worker who went to the doctor for what she thought was scalp eczema.

Before making anything, try straight Polysorbate 80 on yourself to see how it works for you. You will be amazed, just as I was when I first tried it. It removes the build-up of sebum and product (including shampoo and conditioner) and gently cleans the scalp, leaving the hair clean and soft, without stripping it.

I once recommended this to a soaper who was near tears because she had tried "everything" for her grandson's scalp eczema. She was SO relieved when it worked like a charm.

NOTE: All the other remedies listed above sound good to me. Applied on a regular basis over time should go a long way to improving the health of the scalp and look of the hair.

45% Argan
45% Jojoba
5% Castor
5% Polysorbate 80
1% of oils Tea tree - I have no idea what %, so check my thinking?
I don’t have rosemary EO 😥
Argan is wonderful! For the hair; not the scalp. Smooth a few drops over your newly coifed hair to control flyaways and add shine. It's one of the most beneficial, strengthening and conditioning oils available.

Jojoba is a liquid wax beneficial to hair, skin and scalp. Good choice.
Castor is well known for growing thicker hair over time. SO hard to rinse out.

Tea Tree is known to be anti-fungal. Not the best choice for this purpose. Rosemary EO tops the list for treating hair & scalp issues. If you're serious about creating a remedy for scalp eczema, that's your best choice, with or without other herbs/EOs. Rosemary + Lavender is also a good choice for shampoo and conditioner.

There has been some discussion about Polysorbate being toxic. While that's true if it is ingested it is harmless when used topically.

Lotion Crafter - Polysorbate 80 SDS
 
I'm really glad this popped up. I've been chasing a rash that's moved from my eye to my scalp. Did you know you can be allergic to gel nail polish and it manifests as a rash around your eye, not on your hands? Well, I know now. I've tried a couple of things on this scalp rash. Castor oil. I haven't thought to use castor oil yet. I should totally try that.
 
I'm really glad this popped up. I've been chasing a rash that's moved from my eye to my scalp. Did you know you can be allergic to gel nail polish and it manifests as a rash around your eye, not on your hands? Well, I know now. I've tried a couple of things on this scalp rash. Castor oil. I haven't thought to use castor oil yet. I should totally try that.
It is very possible you touched your eye with your fingers which triggered the rash. Yes, you can be allergic to any nail products including nail polish, it is not uncommon and any area you touch on your body can end up with a rash. I am highly allergic to many products so yep I know.
 
• Sage essential oil works wonders on itchy scalp, even a flaking, itchy scalp that might develop crustiness / weeping sores / sever dandruff. Lovely description, but it happens to many people. I often use it straight up on myself for various things - awesome for breakouts, scratches, insect bites - but you can dilute it in a carrier oil if you prefer. It can also be added to your shampoo and / or conditioner. Sage infused oil can easily be made as well, using olive oil as a base, or castor oil. You can make a heat infusion into your base oil using the dried herb, a cold oil-based infusion using the dried herb, or even a water-based decoction. If anyone would like instructions for that, ask & I will share the information. This can be kept on hand for future use. Decoctions can be frozen & thawed when needed. Infused oils can be kept in the fridge on in a cool, dark cupboard.

• Rosemary essential oil, or infused base oil, OR water-based decoction is also amazing for the scalp & hair. Use in shampoos & conditioners, as a hair rinse, or rubbed into the scalp. Feels fabulous on an itchy scalp!

• Witch hazel - preferable alcohol free - is incredible for anything that itches & is inflamed. Remember that product called TUCKS? 😂 Used to be widely sold, then disappeared. Spray on the scalp after washing hair.

• A nettle water-based decoction is also amazing. It can be used topically or drunk as a warm tea. I make nettle infused olive oil for use in specific salves & skin oils. Great for arthritic pain as well, as my neighbours who I make salves for attest to. Nettles can also be steeped in raw apple cider vinegar for several months & then used as a hair rinse. This tends to be more comfortable used on a scalp which isn't raw & sore. Using the nettle infused vinegar as a hair rinse, allow to sit on your scalp as you shower up, then rinse well with lukewarm water. Allow your hair to air dry.

• Amla - Indian gooseberry - oil is also incredible for the scalp & hair. Beautiful, beautiful stuff! Commonly used in many non-Western countries. I use it daily as part of the hair oil I formulate for myself & others. Use a few drops massaged into the palms & then distributed through the hair & onto the scalp.

• Indigo, as I recently discovered when doing research for one of my new salves, has been used for people experiencing psoriasis since 627 A.D. ‼️ Many people experience psoriasis on their scalps, and all over their bodies, yet the fact that indigo naturalis has been used for this purpose has been mostly ignored.
https://www.aad.org/dw/dw-insights-...-new-topical-agent-for-psoriasis-think-indigohttps://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S037887412200561XI would suggest finding dried indigo leaves, rather than using the pre-processed dye / colorant, although if you prefer the blue look.... 😂

• Avoid all shampoos with sulfates & fragrances, which can cause & exacerbate these problems.

• Avoid all conditioners with silicones in them. Research the many names that silicones go by. They are commonly found in conditioners & cause buildup on the scalp & hair, which traps all sorts of garbage under them including fungus, bacteria, yeast. Yum! 😋 They also rinse off all over your body as you shower *ugh*

• Avoid styling gels, mouses, pomades, waxes, hair sprays. Same issue. And when people sweat, these things travel with their sweat, traveling far from the head. Double yum!! 😋 😋

That said, none of these is a permanent solution to a scalp that is itchy, sore, raw, scabby, weeping. They only treat the symptoms a person is having, not the root cause. And unfortunately, conventional doctors don't look for root causes.

The problem with cortisone-type creams is they are steroid-based. They do absolutely nothing to address the issue with which the problem originates & can cause more problems.

I broke out in severe eczema on my face, my scalp, inside my ears, down the back of my neck, behind my ears, all over my ears, my eyelids *don't even like thinking about it* in my early 20s. I bounced from doctor to doctor with no answers other than steroidal cream, while my skin thinned & my hair fell out from using the doctor prescribed cortisone creams. My face continued to crack, ooze, bleed....I couldn't go anywhere, the corners of my mouth split & bled even when I was trying to eat a meal or speak. I was miserably uncomfortable. It was torturous. Months of this, and not a doctor had an explanation, or even a basic solution. Skin is still not properly understood to this day, which is laughable when you really think about it.

I am well aware that this isn't a popular subject with most people as it is a form of medicine which is very poorly understood, and mocked, but that's when I discovered homeopathic medicine & doctors. Homeopathy is the only thing which cleared the problem, permanently, and within just a couple of days days, after months of needless suffering. I have not had the issue again in over 30 years. I have been using homeopathic medicine as my first choice of medicine since then, including for the health & wellness of my children & grandchildren for things such as severe allergies, headaches, teeth grinding, teething, colic, diarrhea, food poisoning, bruises, colds & flus, jet lag, cavities (teeth), toothaches, injuries of various types, you name it. I even used it for my dog & always have a homeopathic first aid kit in my house, my purse & in my travel bag. I used a remedy today for a serious sprained ankle I sustained while fencing on my granite bluff. 10 minutes later, like nothing happened. Last week for a serious large gash to my arm when I fell & caught myself on the ragged edge of a broken piece of lumber.

Since the time I had that experience with eczema, a lot of research has been done & is being done into the fact that water has an actual capacity for memory, which begins to explain how such dilute substances - homeopathic remedies - have the ability to trigger the body's innate healing responses. Many things have not been understood in the past - flight, electricity, gravity, combustion engines, the basic wheel, modern telecommunications, nuclear energy, quantum entanglement. That doesn't make them any less real or valid. We just didn't have a frame of reference or understanding to help us wrap our heads around them at that time.

I suggest that anyone looking for answers do some personal research into this topic. It's absolutely fascinating & eye opening. Good luck to anyone searching for answers in this realm :) :thumbup:
 
@QuasiQuadrant Whew! That was quite a read. Thank you for sharing your vast knowledge!

I always feel sorry for people that drag their kiddos (or themselves) to one specialist after another within the medical profession seeking remedies for whatever skin issue they are dealing with. Little do they know that the medical profession is ill-equipped to provide answers. Pharmaceuticals drive the health industry. My next door neighbor is a Pharmacist. She says, when an Rx doesn't work, doctors call her to ask, "What Rx should I try next?" :rolleyes:

Natural remedies like ALL the ones you recommended are the bomb! What remedies to avoid should be read 3 times over or however long it takes to get them deeply ingrained into one's lifestyle.

Thank You.gif
 
@QuasiQuadrant Whew! That was quite a read. Thank you for sharing your vast knowledge!

I always feel sorry for people that drag their kiddos (or themselves) to one specialist after another within the medical profession seeking remedies for whatever skin issue they are dealing with. Little do they know that the medical profession is ill-equipped to provide answers. Pharmaceuticals drive the health industry. My next door neighbor is a Pharmacist. She says, when an Rx doesn't work, doctors call her to ask, "What Rx should I try next?" :rolleyes:


Natural remedies like ALL the ones you recommended are the bomb! What remedies to avoid should be read 3 times over or however long it takes to get them deeply ingrained into one's lifestyle.

View attachment 74213
Zany, Zany, Zany, Silly you! You do know we live in a capitalist system, right? Just kidding. I've repeated my story here on this forum so many times. For DECADES I saw doctors about problem skin (not disabling, irritating as heck), and spent boocoo bucks on prescription and over the counter lotions and potions. It wasn't until I started making soap and lotion bars that my skin improved like 1000%. Thank you, @QuasiQuadrant for a great read, and God bless the simple solutions.
 
I agree @QuasiQuadrant! Sometimes going back to basics makes common sense. The world today has lots of uncommon sense.

I have one spot on my scalp that itches like crazy but there isn’t anything there. My syndet shampoo helped a bit but it’s back. I’m going to try your suggestions. Hope ine of them works. Thank you 🙏
 
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