A dry scalp can be extremely unpleasant and lead to itchiness, soreness, flaking skin that can look like dandruff. This is particularly common in the cold weather or if you have high central heating as both these things can disrupt the amount of moisture in the scalp. Once it becomes dehydrated this will leave it feeling dry and flaky which is both unpleasant and potentially embarrassing.

The first signs of a dry scalp are itchiness, potentially accompanied by residue upon scratching which will feel like small ‘balls’ of skin. You may also notice a small patch of dry skin on the shoulder which can look like dandruff. Dandruff is the shedding of dead skin cells at a fast pace and results in large, yellow flakes (this is often the result of a sebum imbalance). In the case of a dry scalp however, which is a result of the environmental conditions as well as the natural moisture content of the skin, the flakes will be far smaller and whiter. This distinction is important to recognise as purchasing anti dandruff shampoo to treat a dry scalp can actually exacerbate the problem as they can inadvertently remove moisture from the skin. If the problem is dandrugg however then products such as anti dandruff shampoos will likely be helpful.

For a dry scalp however you need to restore the moisture balance and there are several simple lifestyle changes that can aid this process. If you suffer from dry skin on your head then chances are that you suffer from dry skin on your face and other areas too. One thing that can help for example is to increase your consumption of essential fatty acids such as Omega 3. These can be found in oily fish, kiwi fruit and nuts and will give your body more oils to utilise when maintaining the skin. Alternatively you can use more oil in your cooking, or take fish oil supplements such as cod liver oil.

As your hair is naturally oily you can also benefit from this as a way to maintain the moisture balance on your head. If you suffer from a dry scalp it may be the case that you are washing your hair frequently, and while greasy hair may feel unpleasant if you allow it to get slightly greasy from time to time (perhaps when you’re not going anywhere) that moisture can be utilised by the skin. Similarly it may be the case that you’re using a shampoo that’s drying out your head. Avoid those that are strongly perfumed and look instead for those designed for use with a dry scalp.

Finally you should aim to avoid an overly dry bedroom and keep air conditioning to a minimum. An air humidifier in your room can help keep the air moist and a hat can help protect your scalp in dry weather.

Mack LeMouse

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