Dry scalp occurs when the skin on your head loses too much moisture causing itchy, flaking skin. You may find yourself suffering from dry scalp based on your hair care products, your age, the changing of the weather or seasons, or it could be caused by another skin condition.
Skin Conditions Related to Dry Scalp
Psoriasis is one of the most common skin conditions that can cause your scalp to suffer from dryness. It is a chronic skin condition that causes your skin cells to grow too quickly. This rapid cell growth lets skin cells build up on the surface of your skin in dry, itchy patches.
Actinic Keratosis, also known as solar keratosis, is a type of sun damage from unprotected sun exposure. It is precancerous and is most common in males with thinning or no hair on their heads. It is also more common in men over the age of 50 who have spent a lot of time outdoors.
Tinea Capitis, or scalp ringworm, is a fungal infection that affects the skin on your scalp. It can be shared easily, and you can get it through direct contact with others who have it, including animals. Avoid sharing brushes, hats, or touching surfaces until you have received treatment for this condition.
The Difference Between Dry Scalp and Dandruff
The main difference between dandruff and dry scalp is that excess oil causes dandruff, while a loss of moisture is the cause behind your scalp’s dryness. That said, both result in itchy skin and a flaky scalp. Dandruff is more commonly related to cradle cap, a condition infants face, which we talk about below.
If you suffer from dry scalp, chances are the rest of your body may experience this dryness too. So, if you find yourself itching more than your scalp, you may choose to get your skin looked at by a dermatologist to confirm.
Dry Scalp Treatment
There is no single treatment for dry scalp. In some cases, it could be as simple as making sure all the shampoo and conditioner are rinsed completely from your hair. If that doesn’t work, you could try switching to a different hair care product that is gentle on the skin.
Other options include adding Dermal Therapy products to your personal care routine.
Dermal Therapy Extra Strength Body Lotion
We suggest massaging a small amount of our Extra Strength Body Lotion into the scalp. It works to relieve the itch by exfoliating the dry, scaly skin and hydrating it with our unique and skin-quenching 10% urea formula to help your scalp hold onto moisture.
Dermal Therapy Body Wash
If you are suffering from a dry scalp, chances are the rest of your body is also feeling itchy and dry. Try our sulfate-free body wash to help leave your scalp and skin feeling smooth, hydrated, and rejuvenated. It has a gentle combination of 5% Urea, citric acid (AHA), and green tea, to soothe problem skin. Massage a small amount of our body wash into your scalp before shampooing for optimal results.
