Having an itchy scalp at night before sleeping, you wake up tired the next morning. And we never want that EVER! It is not only bad for your overall health but also deteriorates the quality of your life. Ignoring this during the initial stage could lead to a chronic issue.
Constantly having the urge to itch your scalp feels taxing and equally draining. The reason could not just lay in your head but there could be other things that might trigger scalp itching at night. This itching could be detrimental to your hair health as well. Scratching too heavily could lead to damage to the hair strands as well as lead to breakage. Even if you look into it more seriously, it may lead to more inflammation and even cause damage to your actual hair follicles. Furthermore, your hair might end up looking thin, patchy and unhealthy.
In this article, we will run a detailed study about scalp itching at night, the causes and how you can restrict it or completely omit it from your life. Let’s get into the details step by step to know further.
What makes your scalp itch at night?
Also known as nocturnal purities, scalp itch at night could be an acute or even chronic condition. It varies from person to person. Studies and research have suggested some terms that might lead to such conditions. Here are some as follows –
1. Hormonal Changes
Your anti-inflammatory hormones, corticosteroids, fall gradually at night. This might lead to extreme itchiness of the scalp.
2. Changes in the body temperature
At night or during sleep, your body undergoes natural fluctuations in temperature. It could be directly associated with the itching on your scalp.
3. Dandruff and Seborrheic Dermatitis
If your body’s inflammatory response to higher growth of yeast is high, it might lead to itchiness. It tends to become extreme at night before you go to sleep. Too much yeast present on your scalp could lead to such a condition.
4. Head Lice
If you are somewhat infected with head lice, itching is the most common symptom. In many cases, people tend to have this itchy scalp more at night.
5. Scalp Ringworm
Ringworm is more an infection caused by fungus. If you tend to have ringworm on your scalp, it might lead to an itchy scalp.
6. Nerve Problem
If there is an abnormality in any of the nerves’ functioning, the first signs of it could be an itchy scalp. It might even trigger diseases like shingles and diabetes.
Is an itchy scalp anxiety?
Anxiety is a prolonged issue. It is correlated with numerous skin issues. The trauma of emotional stress could lead to serious scalp itching. If you are wondering why we have the answer for you. Your brain and the nerves of your body are in constant communication even when you are sleeping.
When anxiety occurs, the body’s stress response is overhyped. This could highly impact the nervous system of your body causing sensory symptoms. These include burning or scalp itching. And it needs to sign for it to occur. At times, it remains persistent. If you have extreme anxiety issues, the itching could be vigorous resulting in an infection.
Can stress cause an itchy scalp?
According to the Office of National Statistics, we have come to know that 75% of people tend to suffer from stress and anxiety. This has triggered a lot of health issues in people. When the scalp condition is limelight, stress may trigger an underlying skin condition to flare up.
When it comes to an itchy scalp, yes stress triggers it. When you are going through stress or anxiety, the androgen level of your body rises. These are the male hormones of our body. When this rises more, there is higher production of oil in the scalp. The underlying yeast feeds on dandruff causing acute itching on your scalp.
Scalp itch at night symptoms
As an individual, the symptoms of an itchy scalp at night will help you understand what is causing the trigger. Here are some of the symptoms that you can look into –
- When they tend to appear, you will have white flakes on your body or clothing.
- Your scalp turns oilier than before. There are patches of thick and greasy scales.
- You may notice small white nubs on the hair. It could be because of head lice. Have a closer look into it.
- You may even see small red bumps, it is an indication of having scabies.
Itchy scalp at night causes
Many reasons lead to an itchy scalp at night. Here are some of the causes leading to the same.
1. Dandruff
Leading to mild itchiness, your scalp itches without any inflammation having some flakes falling everywhere. This could be used for the use of different chemical hair products or the overgrowth of yeast.
2. Reaction to hair products
Your scalp may have an allergic reaction to a particular type of hair product that did not suit your hair and scalp. Not washing your hair properly, leads to product residue behind and likewise could trigger scalp itching.
3. Head Lice
Another reason for having an excessively itchy scalp at night. There could be white nubs that you may notice. It’s the commencement of the lice feeding on your scalp and hair.
4. Scalp Psoriasis
Scalp psoriasis, filled with scaly patches, these plaques lead to dandruff-like flaking and lead to a dry scalp. This causes itching in the scalp.
5. Stress
Anxiety and stress go hand-in-hand to trigger different skin and health conditions. One of the major reasons leading to an itchy scalp as it tends to affect the nervous system of your body.
Itchy scalp at night home remedy
We have jotted down a few natural home remedies that could be a blessing in disguise for you. One of the best among the lot that will be a healer for sure is Cade Oil. It has outstanding antipruritic and antimitotic properties that heal itching and slow down cell division respectively. Here are some other home remedies that you may opt for –
1. Apple Cider Vinegar
Highly known for its antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and anti-fungal properties, apple cider vinegar helps in reducing any form of the scalp itching. You need to know the right amount and mix to apply it to your scalp.
Ingredients –
- Apple cider vinegar
- Water and Spray bottle
What to do?
- Take a half bottle of apple cider vinegar and mix it with water. The ratio has to be 1:1.
- Mix well and store in a cool place.
- Use it whenever you are undergoing an itchy scalp.
- Make sure that you are doing a patch test before the application.
2. Lavender Oil
It is another ingredient that has great anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. It works best for people who are suffering from head lice.
Ingredients –
- 2 drops of lavender oil
- 5 drops of carrier oil of your choice
What to do?
- Mix the lavender and carrier oil in the quantity mentioned above.
- Massage it onto your scalp with the help of your fingertips.
- Leave it overnight and shampoo your hair the next morning.
3. Tea Tree Oil
Having an anti-inflammatory effect, tea tree oil is beneficial in different ways. Eases scalp itching and irritation, this oil also treats head lice and dandruff.
Ingredients –
- 5-10 drops of tea tree oil
- 10 drops of carrier oil of your choice
What to do?
- Mix the tea tree oil and carrier oil in the same proportion as mentioned above.
- Massage it on your scalp. Leave it overnight.
- Wash your hair with a mild shampoo.
- You may even use hair care products that have tea tree oil in them.
4. Peppermint Oil
Having a soothing effect on your skin, it has great anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. It heals inflammation and also restricts itching.
Ingredients –
- 2 drops of peppermint oil
- 5-10 drops of carrier oil of your choice.
What to do?
- Mix the peppermint oil and carrier oil in the same proportion as mentioned above.
- Massage it on your scalp. Leave it overnight.
- Wash your hair with a mild shampoo.
5. Meditation
Studies have suggested that medication is the best healer for anxiety and stress. This will further help you with scalp itching at night. We have already mentioned to you different causes leading to an itchy scalp at night. Using chemical hair care products or medication will have its set of side effects. The best thing that you can do is to opt for meditation. You can do this early in the morning listening to some music or even some podcasts.
6. Salicylic acid
There are different shampoos or hair care products that have salicylic acid as one of their ingredients. A salicylic acid is a form of beta hydroxy acid having rich anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. Using shampoos with this infusion could be highly beneficial for you.
- Massage your scalp with shampoo.
- Leave it for a minute or two.
- Rinse thoroughly.
7. Coconut Oil
Coconut oil has moisturizing and nourishing properties. It hydrates your scalp preventing it from drying. This further helps in preventing an itchy scalp at night.
What to do?
- Apply a proper amount of the oil. You may heat it if you want.
- Massage it well on your scalp.
- Leave it overnight. Shampoo the next morning.
8. Aloe Vera
You will get aloe vera everywhere. Whether it is the leaf or the purchase of the product, the gel has soothing properties. It helps with inflammation and hydrates your scalp.
What to do?
- Extract the gel from the leaf or get the gel from any store.
- Apply the gel on your scalp.
- Leave it for half an hour.
- Rinse it off with lukewarm water.
9. Jojoba Oil
Helps in soothing dry patches, jojoba oil has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. It is even rich in some vitamins. Much safer for the user, it helps in scalp nourishment.
What to do?
- Head two tbsp of jojoba oil.
- Apply it to your roots and scalp.
- Leave it for half an hour.
- Rise it off with the shampoo of your choice.
10. Baking Soda
It is one of the vital ingredients and is always available at your home. It helps with different scalp issues. Having antifungal and antibacterial properties, baking soda helps in healing the itchy scalp.
What to do?
- Take 2 tbsp of baking soda and water. Make a thick paste.
- Apply it on your scalp with the help of your fingertips.
- Leave it for 10-15 min.
- Wash with lukewarm water and shampoo.
Conclusion
Using home remedies is not just enough. You need to take extra care of your scalp health to avoid irritation and drying. Stop using shared things like combs, towels, helmets and pillowcases. It may trigger your scalp’s itchiness.
FAQs-
Why does my scalp itch even after washing?
This could be if you have a dry scalp. It might also occur that you are leaving the product to reside on your scalp triggering the itchiness. If you are also getting a rash, it could be a condition known as allergic contact dermatitis.
Does apple cider vinegar relieve an itchy scalp?
Yes, it does. Before you apply it on your scalp make sure that you conduct a patch test. Mix an equal amount of water and apple cider vinegar. This will not burn your scalp and relieve you from itching.
Can dry scalp itch like lice?
Dry scalp and lice could look similar in the first place. Thus, the itchiness could be the same. But if you suffer from huge head lice, the inflammation will be higher.
Do I have lice or is my head just itchy?
The most common symptom of head lice is severe itching on the scalp, neck and ears. While if you are just having an itchy scalp, the problem could be different. You still need to get checked if it persists longer and inflammation occurs.
Does hormone imbalance cause an itchy scalp?
Yes, hormonal changes do cause an itchy scalp. Your body undergoing hormonal changes triggers a lot of changes in your body as well as your scalp health.
Why do I get itchy when I lay down to sleep?
It could be probably because there are changes in the body temperature. Also that there is a loss of moisture in your body. Drink a lot of water, keep yourself hydrated and use moisturizing products.
Why does my scalp itch at night and in the morning?
The reasons are many. We have already mentioned some of the causes above. This may be due to dandruff, head lice, dermatitis and other skin/scalp conditions.
