Itchy scalp driving me CRAZY!!

[amberj]

For the last several months, I have had a wickedly itchy scalp, just on the back of my head. I thought it was because I had really long, thick hair and it was hard to shampoo back there, but I got my hair chopped and it didn't change it. The hairdresser recommended an expensive balancing shampoo without the yuckies that supermarket shampoo has, but that doesn't make a difference either. The funny thing is that the two times I've been to the hairdresser in recent times and they have washed it, it hasn't been itchy afterwards. What's the deal??? (I would have thought it it was just salon products, the exxy shampoo I bought would have fixed it).

Does anyone else have this problem? If so, has anything helped you?

FWIW, I also have an itchy forehead. I must be unbalanced in something!

[Turkish Delight]

I have exactly the same thing. i have a few itchy spots at the back of my head and i can't figure out why. It is driving me crazy. I have to use a sharp object, such a pen lid to scratch it as my nails just don't cut it.

You are right, it could be the shampoo. I wonder if we use Neutragena (sp?) shampoo or an anti-dandruff shampoo, it may cut it??? I don't have dandruff and neither may you, but it is worth a shot. I'm going to buy some of that neutragena shampoo this week.

I feel like i have lice sometimes.

[CrazyLady]

I had the same and FINALLY found a shampoo that works for me. I'd scratch so much i'd get little scabs in my hair.

try baby shampoo? I have fine hair so it cleans it properly. Seemed I can only use the eco store one (maybe because no nasties?) but it stopped the itch.

[tan32]

I recently was suffering really badly from this, i put it down to the pool where i work.

[Anila]

I have had this as well, i was told by a hairdresser that the most likely cause was because i was putting my hair up when wet and not letting my scalp breath or dry, i didnt have dandruff but she suggested a dandruff shampoo and just blowdrying or even leaving my hair out to at least half dry, with 5 kids i always find it easier to put up as soon as get out of the shower.

[Gigi]

i have stopped buying any shampoos with PARABENS in them (cheap preservative, that creates skin irritations in many people). Once i threw all hair products, in my bathroom, that had PARABENS in the ingredient list, in the bin - and read the ingredient list of any other hair product i considered buying, so screened out PARABENS, things have improved dramatically.

i'm okay with Moo Goo, Sukin, the baby ones of Ecostore, Gaia, Avado, still searching for one that is less exxy and i can tolerate. i think Sukin is the least exxy of the ones i've mentioned (you can buy it in a one litre bottle). There is one supermarket shampoo i can tolerate, and has no parabens, but cna't tolerate the matching conditioner, it has so much fragrance in it - irritates me as much as insect spray does.

Parabens are also widely used by manufacturers (of low end AND high end) beauty and skin care products like
- sunscreen
- makeup
- moisturiser
- liquid soap
- bubblebath
SO many things lurking in bathroom cabinets and dressing table drawers, (containing parabens) that we put on ourselves all the time. I had no idea what parabens were before.

When i went on my "purge my home of stuff with parabens in it", the pile to throw out was BIG!

but my skin and my hair has calmed down alot, as a result.

[Twin Sister]

I don't have dandruff but I used to find my head got really itchy in the evening. I switched to Head & Shoulders and no more itching.

[Turkish Delight]

On behalf of Amberj and I , i would like to thank you for your wonderful advice.

i will throw out all Paraben items and buy anti dandruff shampoo today.

xxoo

[amberj]

Thank you all!

TD, let me know if you find anything that works!