Treatment and Care for a Dry, Itchy African-American Scalp

A dry, itchy scalp is a common complaint for African-American men and others with textured hair types. Excess sebum production can also cause an itchy scalp and can lead to other scalp problems, including inflammation, redness or irritation.

Dry, Itchy Scalp Relief

Though African-American scalps have a natural tendency toward dryness, treating dry, itchy scalp is similar to treating regular dandruff flare-ups in any race or ethnicity.

Washing and conditioning the scalp and hair have commonly reduced itchiness and dryness of the scalp. When scalps with high sebum production, or excess oiliness, are not shampooed and conditioned frequently, skin cells can build up on the scalp and cause itching, says Jan Modric of Healthhype.com. Frequent washing stops itching by helping remove old skin cells and preventing them from clinging to oily scalps.

While this method may prove ineffective for African-American women, many of whom do not wash and condition their hair at the frequent intervals required for this method to have an effect, African-American men may benefit from a rigorous washing and conditioning schedule. African-American men's hair tends to be more low-maintenance and suitable for daily washing. If you decide to fight itching and dryness with better conditioning, use a moisturizing, pH-balanced shampoo, says Ron Renee, president of the Aestheticians International Association in Dallas in an interview for Mothernature.com. Avoid washing the hair with soap, which can dry out the hair and scalp. Additionally, ensure that your hair-washing water is kept lukewarm, Modric adds. Washing the hair in hot water not only stresses the hair fiber, but can lead to a dry, itchy scalp, as well.

African-American men often wear their hair cropped short, which means that the scalp has little natural protection from the surrounding environment. Cold, windy weather and arid indoor air can also dry out scalps and hair, Modric says. For African-American men with longer hair, avoid holding hair dryers close to the head, as the heat produced by these tools can easily dry out the scalp, Modric cautions.

Topical hydrocortisone creams or foam solution have also been shown to reduce the symptoms associated with dry, itchy scalp. For men whose dryness and itchiness are accompanied by full dandruff flaking, try anti-dandruff products like a zinc pyrithione shampoo that can soothe dry, itchy scalps.

See a Dermatologist

If you have exhausted your over-the-counter options, a visit to a dermatologist who specializes in African-American hair should be next on your list. A number of issues may be to blame for persistently dry, itchy scalps in African-American men.

References

The Rondale Book. MotherNature.com

Modric, J. Itchy Scalp - Pictures, Causes and Treatment. Healthyhype.com.