Your hair is important to you. You want to make sure it looks good, but when your scalp is itchy and you struggle with irritation and hair loss, you can feel defeated.
What Are the Common Causes of Itchy Scalp and Hair Loss?
There are many common contributors to itchy scalps and hair loss. To treat hair loss, you have to figure out the underlying cause of the condition. Hair loss usually starts with inflamed hair follicles caused by allergic reactions, scalp ringworm, scalp pruritus, alopecia areata, hair dyes, a fungal infection, or other causes.
Itchy scalps and hair thinning are often linked to microinflammations that start off as mild irritations. Inflammatory immune cells respond to irritation caused by hair dye, fungal infections, or other causes to try to repair the damage.
Unfortunately, the skin's reaction to inflammation is...more inflammation. That means that you might end up with severe itching that leads to further irritation.
What Are the Treatment Options for Itchy Scalp and Hair Loss?
We know that you don't want to be itching all the time (we wouldn't want to be, either). Which is why it's important to talk to your dermatologist about common conditions like:
- Scalp psoriasis
- Atopic dermatitis
- Seborrheic dermatitis if you have itchy bumps
- Silvery scales
- New or worsening male pattern hair loss
- Other signs of poor scalp health
Remedies to Calm Down Your Itchy Scalp at Home
- Allergy creams or medications prescribed for topical treatment
- Medicated shampoo to treat dry scalp itching
- Eating a balanced diet
- Using calming essential oils, like tea tree (this can help with scalp irritation caused by fungal infections or head lice, for example)
- Anti-dandruff shampoos
Can an Itchy Scalp Lead to Hair Loss?
The itchy scalp and hair loss female patients experience can be linked. According to Eucerin, there is evidence to link microinflammations of the skin to issues like scalp itching, dry scalp, sensitivity, thinning hair follicles, dandruff, and other issues.
The abovementioned remedies can help you treat the causes of irritation. Doing so could help you avoid losing any more hair.
You can also try changing your pillowcase to a different style, like a silk cover from Blissy. This can help reduce stretching forces and reduce the risk of hair loss.
Myths About Your Hair Follicles
People like to say they know all the causes of thinning hair and itchy skin, but there are many myths out there. We're here to debunk the itchy scalp myths that could be preventing you from getting relief.
Myth 1: It's Normal for hair to itch as it grows
It's not particularly common for someone to have an itchy scalp when their hair is growing. Scalp itchiness may be a sign of something as simple as dandruff. Or it can be something more significant like an allergic reaction from black hair dyes.
It's possible to get scalp treatment for things like white, flaky skin (grab that anti-dandruff shampoo) to red patches. Seeing a dermatologist is a good first step.
Myth 2: Massage oils cure underlying scalp conditions
No, you probably won't regrow your hair if you massage your scalp with natural oils. In fact, standardized scalp massage results show that the oils themselves may not help your hair regrow. Yet some increasing blood flow to the region can help some scalp conditions by inducing stretching forces to exfoliate the skin.
Myth 3: A miracle cure is out there
You should also know that there is no such thing as a miracle cure to help with permanent hair loss (as much as we wish there were). Itchy scalp and hair loss female individuals have tend to have an underlying cause, but finding the solution will take time.
Talk to wellness professionals to get on the right treatment plan for your underlying scalp condition. Whether you're trying to treat bald patches, hair shedding, skin cancer or other common scalp disorders.
How Does a Blissy Pillowcase Help with an Itchy Scalp and Hair Loss?
With the proper treatment, including the right hair products, medications, it's possible to save your hair. The active ingredients in those medications need to stay on your head at night though, which is where a silk pillowcase can help.
Silk Keeps Your Hair Hydrated
Silk is not highly absorbent, so won't over-absorb the medications you put on your scalp. If you need to medicate your hair before bed, choose a silk pillowcase to help you retain moisture and product as you sleep through the night. Blissy pillowcases helps keep your hair hydrated, easing the itchiness that you're trying to relieve.
Silk Helps Grow Fuller Hair
Blissy pillowcases can also help with hair loss. Of course, our pillowcases can't prevent hair loss from certain causes, like hereditary hair loss, male pattern baldness, or hair loss from an improperly balanced diet. But Blissy pillowcases can help prevent unnecessary hair fall from your hair being broken in your sleep.
Silk naturally reduces friction, allowing the strands of your hair to glide gently without tugging. You're more likely to keep your hair from the hair root to the ends while also helping to soothe itchy scalp sensations caused by pulling.
Silk Can Help with Increased Hair Thickness
We know how frustrating it can be to have thin or damaged hair from tinea capitis or damage to the subcutaneous tissue. That's why we love silk so much.
Since it causes less friction against your scalp and hair, silk helps you avoid excessive scratching from itchiness.
Silk Is Hypoallergenic
Finally, remember that silk is hypoallergenic. Your scalp itches when it comes into contact with allergens, and that might cause a red rash that is difficult to treat. Luckily, you can slip a Blissy pillowcase on your favorite pillow for a better night of sleep.
You Can Make Changes to Save Your Hair
If you want to improve your hair and stop the itchiness that is bothering you, it's a great idea to see a dermatologist. Until then, we suggest using one of our silk pillowcases to reduce the tension and friction against your hair and scalp.