Amazing Natural Remedies For Scalp Eczema

August 30, 2024

Scalp eczema is a skin condition that occurs when the scalp becomes itchy, red, and irritated. It can cause the flaking known as dandruff. Dandruff does not always indicate an individual has scalp eczema. However, it often is a symptom of scalp eczema if they appear to have a significant amount of dandruff that does not go away even with good hygiene. Patches of skin affected by eczema can be scaly and red, flaking, itchy, waxy, or greasy. There may be a burning sensation, and some patches may have lesions that ooze clear discharge. After healing, the skin can sometimes scar or change colors.

Thankfully, there is a variety of options for scalp eczema treatment. Some patients will need to talk to their doctor about scalp eczema medication, specifically prescription dandruff shampoo and other medicated shampoos. However, there are also effective methods for scalp eczema home treatment. Get familiar with natural remedies for scalp eczema now.

Aloe Vera

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Aloe vera has strong anti-inflammatory properties that can help soothe skin conditions. Perhaps the most common, of course, is sunburns. However, aloe vera can also help with cases of scalp eczema, including seborrheic dermatitis. This is a form of the condition that causes red and scaly patches on an individual's scalp. When an individual does experience flares of this condition and similar ones, aloe vera extract can help lessen the severity of the flare. There are seventy-five components of the aloe vera plant that are potentially active in healing. Antioxidants in the plant include vitamins E, C, and A. Other vitamins are choline, folic acid, and vitamin B12. There are also eight enzymes in aloe vera. One of these, bradykinase, can reduce inflammation when applied directly to the skin, including when it is due to scalp eczema.

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Tea Tree Oil

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Tea tree oil has anti-inflammatory, antifungal, and antibacterial properties. These properties make it quite effective at treating scalp eczema and similar skin conditions. Due to how strong tea tree oil is, individuals will need to dilute it in another oil before applying it. Some experts recommend using tea tree oil diluted in olive oil or coconut oil. If individuals do not want to apply other oils to their skin, they can also dilute tea tree oil in water. Doing so can help reduce the itchiness caused by scalp eczema. It also helps promote the healing of scaly skin patches.

Terpinen-4-ol is an anti-inflammatory compound found in tea tree oil. It reduces redness and swelling. Some research indicates that terpinen-4-ol speeds wound healing and reduces allergic reactions in individuals with skin allergies. Dandruff can sometimes be caused by excess fungus on the scalp. While some fungus is necessary for hair health, the antifungal properties of tea tree oil can help keep excess fungus from forming.

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Olive Oil

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Olive oil is a potential treatment for scalp eczema, as it helps moisturize the skin. Individuals with scalp eczema who want to use olive oil to treat their condition should coat their entire scalp with olive oil and massage it in. The oil should stay on their scalp for around an hour, which will help loosen existing scales and remove dandruff. When individuals are ready to wash the olive oil out, they should use a fine-toothed comb or brush to remove the scales. They should brush their entire scalp and remove as many of the scales as possible before taking a shower. In the shower, individuals should wash the olive oil off their scalp and out of their hair by using the same shampoo and conditioner they usually do.

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Change To An Appropriate Shampoo

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Scalp eczema is an inflammatory condition that should be treated with special shampoo. This is so that individuals can avoid making the affected skin more dry and irritated. Medicated shampoos for dandruff are a good option for this, as they are specifically formulated to target the factors that lead to flaking. Shampoos with selenium sulfide may help if individuals only use them twice a week. Twice a week is ideal for affected individuals to avoid stripping their hair of its natural oils.

Selenium sulfide is an antifungal agent that eases itching, irritation, and reduces dandruff cells. Another good ingredient is pyrithione zinc, which has antifungal and antimicrobial properties. Ketoconazole, another antifungal, has been well-studied as a method of controlling dandruff, and it may also have mild properties that reduce inflammation. Coal tar may be used to reduce sebum production and decrease inflammation. However, it does have a few side effects, including a potential increased risk of cancer. Quite a few individuals are also allergic to coal tar, and it can be toxic in high doses.

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Avoid Products Containing Alcohol

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Patients with scalp eczema should avoid products containing alcohol, as when applied to the skin, alcohol can be a significant trigger for scalp eczema symptom flares. Individuals should avoid using rubbing alcohol as a disinfectant if they can. In addition, consuming alcohol can sometimes lead to flares of scalp eczema. The food triggers for each patient vary from case to case. If individuals find their scalp eczema gets worse when they consume alcohol, they may want to cut back or stop entirely. In addition to avoiding common sources of alcohol like wine and beer, some foods have alcohol in them. No-bake desserts, rum puddings, and meat or pasta cooked with wine can cause flares of scalp eczema as well. The healthiest option is to use nonalcoholic food alternatives and take care when ordering at restaurants.

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Apple Cider Vinegar

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Apple cider vinegar is considered a good home remedy for scalp eczema. Information indicates that it can loosen the dry and itchy flakes that often appear with scalp eczema. These flakes are common when individuals are also dealing with dandruff as part of their condition. Of course, individuals should not apply undiluted apple cider vinegar to their scalp, as this can result in chemical burns or other skin irritations.

Instead, individuals should dilute this vinegar with water or a carrier oil, depending on the specific remedy they wish to use. If they want to try an apple cider vinegar hair mask, sunflower oil is helpful. They should mix one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar with approximately a quarter cup of sunflower oil. They can apply the mixture to their scalp and hair, leaving it for ten to twenty minutes before rinsing it out. Another option is to dilute a small amount of apple cider vinegar, such as one hundred milliliters, with water (five hundred milliliters). Individuals can then rinse their hair with this mixture after shampooing.

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Stress Management

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Stress, particularly intense or chronic stress, is considered a significant trigger for symptom flares of scalp eczema. Thus, individuals can help relieve at least some of their symptoms by practicing stress management. This can look different depending on the patient. This is because what offers stress relief for one individual may not be as effective for another. However, common strategies for stress management include deep breathing, meditation, and yoga. Other examples of stress management are taking regular breaks, listening to music, and reading a good book. Ultimately, patients should determine what stress management technique works for them and include it in their regular routine.

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Shampoo After Sweating

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Sweat can worsen the symptoms associated with scalp eczema. This is because exercise can dry out the skin since individuals lose fluids through sweat. In addition, sweat also contains sodium, which can cause further dehydration and irritate or sting the skin. Thus, individuals who have scalp eczema should try to shampoo their scalp after they have been sweating. This means shampooing after visiting the gym or exercising at home. Shampoo after sweating helps clear the sweat away from the individual's scalp and prevents additional irritation. Keeping the scalp clean can relieve the symptoms of scalp eczema significantly as well, especially if patients are using a special shampoo for their condition.

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Avoid Irritants

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There are many potential triggers for symptom flares of scalp eczema. Examples of common triggers and irritants include hot water, hair dye, and harsh soap or shampoo. Sweat, as mentioned, is another one. This is why a significant natural treatment for scalp eczema is to avoid irritants. Simple avoidance can help reduce the severity of symptoms over time. Individuals can try taking showers in lukewarm water rather than hot. They should also switch to gentle soap and shampoo as well. Individuals with scalp eczema should also watch their condition to see what other irritants they have and determine how they can better avoid them in the future. This is vital, since irritants can be different for different individuals.

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Baking Soda

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Some individuals with scalp eczema will see some improvement by using baking soda on their scalp once or twice a week. Individuals should use two tablespoons of baking soda and mix in enough water to create a good paste. They should then add a few drops of olive oil to their scalp before applying a generous layer of the baking soda paste. Individuals should let the baking soda paste sit on their scalp for five to ten minutes before rinsing it out thoroughly with water. As mentioned, individuals can repeat this remedy up to twice a week to relieve symptoms of scalp eczema.

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