What causes an itchy scalp and how to resolve it

Generally, an itchy scalp may be caused by physiological factors, unhealthy lifestyle habits, folliculitis, seborrheic dermatitis, psoriasis, and other factors. Patients need to maintain scalp cleanliness, improve their diet, and follow medical advice regarding medication. It is recommended to seek timely medical consultation and follow prescribed treatments. Details are as follows:

1. Physiological factors: Excessively dry or oily scalp can damage the scalp barrier function and cause itching. Improper cleansing, such as using harsh shampoos or infrequent washing, can lead to the accumulation of dirt on the scalp. Patients should maintain scalp cleanliness, use mild shampoo, and wash the scalp daily or every other day to remove excess oil and dirt.

2. Unhealthy lifestyle habits: Improper diet, such as consuming high-sugar, high-fat, or spicy foods, may increase scalp oil secretion and worsen itching. The use of chemical products may damage the scalp barrier and trigger allergic reactions. Irregular作息 (作息 should be translated as "sleep patterns" or "lifestyle routines") may lower immunity, making the scalp more susceptible to irritation. Patients should improve their diet by increasing intake of foods rich in vitamins and minerals, and avoid irritating foods such as those high in sugar, fat, or spice.

3. Folliculitis: Folliculitis is an inflammatory reaction of the hair follicles and can be categorized as infectious or non-infectious folliculitis. This condition is caused by bacterial infection, skin allergies, and other factors, presenting symptoms such as scalp itching, pain, and hair loss. Patients should follow medical advice to use medications such as mupirocin ointment, fusidic acid sodium ointment, or compound polymyxin B ointment, which have anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects.

4. Seborrheic dermatitis: Seborrheic dermatitis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease. Its causes may be related to genetic factors, dietary habits, and nervous system dysfunction. If excessive sebum production or fungal infection occurs, symptoms such as redness, itching, and greasiness may appear. Patients should use medications under a doctor's guidance, such as tacrolimus ointment, selenium sulfide shampoo, or itraconazole capsules, which have anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects.

5. Psoriasis: Psoriasis is a common polygenic hereditary skin disease. It is a chronic autoimmune disease that causes rapid proliferation of skin cells, forming red patches covered with scales on the scalp, accompanied by severe itching. Patients should use medications under medical supervision, such as tretinoin cream, calcipotriol ointment, or methotrexate tablets, which can inhibit keratinization, suppress skin cell proliferation, and regulate immune function.

Maintaining good lifestyle habits and proper scalp care in daily life can help prevent an itchy scalp. Adequate rest should also be ensured to avoid excessive fatigue.