Say Goodbye To Itch: Discover The Best Shampoos For An Itchy Scalp
If you are like the millions of people who deal with a dry, itchy, or flaky scalp you know how frustrating it can be to get this under control. In this blog post we will discuss what causes these symptoms and the medications available to treat them. Knowing which treatment options target the itching and flaking will help you decide which shampoos and other products will get you the results you are looking for!
What causes an itchy or flaky scalp?
An itchy, dry, or flaky scalp is most often caused by a condition called seborrheic dermatitis, also known as dandruff, but can also be caused by conditions such as scalp psoriasis. There are many treatment options available for these conditions, from over the counter shampoos to non-medicated specialty shampoos to prescription strength medications.
As dermatologists practicing in our clinics we often get asked by patients what the best shampoos are for an itchy scalp, which shampoos are best for flaky scalps, and what other products can be used to treat these problems. While both the itching and flaking are caused by the same underlying problems many patients will often suffer from one symptom more than the other. For instance, it is very common that there is intense itching of the scalp but no dandruff (flaking), and sometimes it’s the exact opposite! Most over the counter products and the prescription medications you would get from a dermatologist will only address one symptom at a time. At Allura Medicinals we have created specialized prescription compounded products to address multiple symptoms with a single product, and after reading this article you will know which ingredients will get you the results you are looking for.
How can I stop my scalp from itching?
Seborrheic dermatitis and scalp psoriasis share a lot of similar features and dermatologists consider them to exist on a spectrum. Patients with mild flaking and mild itch are closer to the seborrheic dermatitis end of the spectrum and those with thick, heavy, crusted scale are on the scalp psoriasis end of the spectrum. Regardless of cause we typically treat these in a similar manner, at least to begin with, as both conditions can respond to the same medications.
Seborrheic dermatitis is caused by overgrowth of a normal yeast on the skin called Malassezia. This yeast is found on everyone’s skin to some extent, but patients with an itchy scalp or flaky scalp tend to have much more of it present. This overgrowth leads to irritation of the skin, which then results in the itching and flaking that patients find so bothersome. To treat the itchy and flaky scalp we want to target both the yeast overgrowth as well as how our body responds to this overgrowth. While we can never eliminate the yeast growth permanently we have very effective ways to suppress the amount of yeast on the skin.
Another question we often get while seeing patients in our clinic is about hair loss that accompanies itching and flaking of the scalp. There are many possible explanations for this problem. It is possible that there is a separate and unrelated issue, like pattern balding, causing the hair loss, or there may be a different disease of the scalp that causes itching, flaking and hair loss. Sometimes the intense itching and scratching from seborrheic dermatitis alone will cause the hair to fall out faster than normal. In this case the products we offer will be helpful as they will directly address the itching. However, any significant hair loss is best evaluated by a dermatologist in person as this requires a thorough examination and discussion of symptoms to find the actual cause of the hair loss.
What shampoo is best for an itchy scalp?
The best shampoos for an itchy scalp will somehow try to address the yeast overgrowth by containing something that can reduce the amount of yeast, and ideally would also directly address the itching. Over the counter shampoos will often contain zinc pyrithione (Head and Shoulders) or selenium sulfide (Selsun Blue). While these do not require a prescription and are easy to buy in a store they are not necessarily the most effective as they only address the yeast growth and do not suppress the itching. In the dermatology clinic we typically use stronger, prescription strength anti–yeast medications like ketoconazole.
This is the reason that the shampoo to treat an itchy or flaky scalp offered by Allura Medicinals contains a base of 2% ketoconazole. Regular use of this medication will ensure that the yeast growth is subdued with no common side effects.
The ideal shampoo for an itchy or dry, flaky scalp will also include an anti-inflammatory ingredient. While over the counter shampoos can’t contain the most effective anti-inflammatory ingredients as they are prescription only, products from Allura Medicinals can as they are prescribed to you by a board certified dermatologist. Being able to combine these into a single product is why Allura Medicinals can get you superior results compared to other products.
There are two basic categories for the anti-inflammatory ingredients:
-
topical steroids
-
a type of non-steroidal medication called calcineurin inhibitors (CNIs)
Allura Medicinals currently offers a shampoo with a high strength topical steroid in it, and we are currently developing a shampoo that has a non-steroidal calcineurin inhibitor in it. And while these anti-inflammatory ingredients are good for both itching and flaking, they are particularly beneficial for those who have intense itching in their scalp.
Summary
In conclusion, the best shampoos for an itchy scalp or for a flaky scalp will contain ingredients that address both the yeast overgrowth that triggers these symptoms as well as anti-inflammatory medications that will stop your scalp from itching and flaking in response to the yeast.
Allura Medicinals offers a specialized compounded shampoo developed by board certified dermatologists, as well as scalp serums, that allow you to choose the right combination for your particular concerns. Use of Allura Medicinals products on a regular basis is the key to getting you the flake free, itch free scalp you want so click below to start your journey today.