An itchy, dry scalp is not only irritating – it is a common cause of dandruff. There are many reasons why you might have a dry scalp, from psoriasis to dermatitis, but the good news is that you don’t need to suffer any longer.

Cures for a dry scalp vary from topical treatments to lifestyle adjustments. You should try to figure out what the underlying cause of your itchy scalp is before you look for a treatment. What works for fungal infections might not be suitable for psoriasis, for example.

The following methods have all been tried and tested, so if one doesn’t work on your dry scalp, try another.

Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil has long been used as a topical treatment for all kinds of health problems. Tea tree oil has natural antiseptic and antibacterial properties. It can also be used to treat fungal infections, so it pretty much has you covered if you are suffering from a dry, itchy scalp. You can buy tea tree oil from most good retailers, add a few drops of tea tree oil to your conditioner or massage into your scalp with some olive oil. Either way, it should help your problem.

Coconut Oil

Coconut oil smells delicious and is often used in cooking as a healthy oil. It can also be used as a topical skincare treatment thanks to its moisturizing properties. Use coconut oil on your scalp if you suspect your itchiness is caused by dermatitis or a fungal infection. Warm up some coconut oil and massage into your scalp. Leave it for around 10 minutes and then wash your hair as normal.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar has lots of health-giving properties. It is a natural anti-fungal remedy and an antimicrobial. Mix some apple cider vinegar with water in a 1:2 ratio. Massage it into your scalp and leave it on for at least 10 minutes. Then, wash and condition your hair as normal.

Avocados

Avocados are tasty and excellent for the scalp. Mash up some ripe avocado and blend it with olive oil. Then rub it into your irritated scalp and leave for 10 minutes.

Lemon Juice

Lemon juice has natural astringent properties, which makes it very soothing for a dry, irritated scalp. If your dry, itchy scalp is caused by a fungal infection, lemon juice should clear this up, along with your dandruff. To use lemon juice, cut a lemon in half and rub it into your scalp in sections. Leave the lemon juice on your scalp for at least 10 minutes then rinse your hair as normal. Repeat a couple of times a week until you notice an improvement.

Aloe Vera

Aloe vera is very useful for all kinds of things. It is a good idea to keep an aloe vera plant on your kitchen windowsill, as you can clip pieces off and use the gel to treat skin problems, sunburn, and an itchy scalp.

To treat your scalp with aloe vera gel, snip a stalk off the plant and scrape out the sticky gel. Mix the gel with water and then use it to massage your scalp. Leave the aloe vera gel on your scalp for around 20 minutes before washing it out. Repeat this exercise twice a week.

Antibacterial Mouthwash

Do you have a bottle of antibacterial mouthwash in the bathroom? If so, use it to treat your itchy scalp. This is a quick and easy treatment if the underlying cause of your dry scalp is a bacterial infection. The mouthwash will kill the microbes on your scalp and any itchiness you have should clear up in no time.

Got any more tips? Let us know in the comments.