Home Remedies For Dandruff And Itchy Scalp

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An all-black outfit is a whole mood, but nothing can throw you off your game like those tiny white flakes on your shoulder. Well, dandruff is a common condition amongst men and women and is a recurring problem for many. There are many causes why a person gets dandruff; it can range from genetic to environmental conditions. But to put it simply, when too much fungus or bacteria accumulates on some oily parts of your scalp, it results in an itchy scalp, which then turns into flakiness. The summer can worsen this condition if sweat tends to accumulate on your scalp for long periods of time.

It’s natural to reach out for an anti-dandruff shampoo during your next grocery run, but there are better remedies to deal with dandruff and an itchy scalp. And what’s best, these remedies can be made right at home and that too with the ingredients in your kitchen.

Read 8 DIY natural remedies to get rid of an itchy scalp and dandruff, that you can try at your own home for effective results.

Neem Leaves
Yoghurt
Coconut Oil
Fenugreek seeds (Methi)
Aloe Vera
Apple Cider Vinegar
Mashed Banana
Tea Tree Oil
Frequently Asked Questions:

Neem Leaves

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You can definitely trust neem leaves when it comes to dandruff. Neem gives a lot of relief from the itchiness and redness on the scalp. It has antibacterial and antifungal properties which hold back the growth of dandruff. Here’s a DIY mask that you can try. Take some neem leaves and grind them in a mixer. Add a tablespoon of honey and make a thick paste. Apply the mask to your scalp and leave it for 15-20 minutes. Wash your hair with cold water and you’ll be left with a nourished scalp.

Pro tip: Boil neem leaves in water for 15 mins. Keep it in a spray bottle and spray every time before you wash your hair for a more hydrated scalp.

Yoghurt

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Yoghurt or Dahi is an ingredient that works for all types of hair. It has anti-inflammatory and cooling properties which help a lot with dandruff and a dry and itchy scalp. To make a DIY mask, take half a cup of yoghurt and mix it with peeled and smashed papaya. Keep it in your hair for 30 minutes and wash your hair like usual after that. This will keep dandruff in control and off your shoulders. This mask helps in cleansing the scalp and in hair growth too.

Pro tip: Apply this mask twice a month and watch wonders happening yourself.

Coconut Oil

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Coconut oil is stacked with properties that can help calm irritation and the hidden disease that is causing it. The counter-parasitic properties will help clear the scalp of itchy elements and give relief. Coconut oil and lemon is a tried-and-tested remedy to tackle dandruff and it smells nice too. Before showering, massage 3-5 tablespoons of coconut oil and lemon juice into your scalp and let it sit for about an hour and shampoo normally after.

Pro-tip: Add a few drops of any essential oils to the coconut oil and lemon mixture for extra nourishment and fragrance.

Fenugreek seeds (Methi)

Being high in protein, fenugreek seeds aka methi are known to nourish the hair and prevent hair fall. They are also loaded with supplements that help to strengthen the hair and scalp. What's more, it repairs hair follicles and helps in hair regrowth.

Pro-Tip: Here’s a hair mask made with fenugreek seeds that you can try.

Aloe Vera

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Aloe vera not only makes your hair soft and smooth but also strengthens and nourishes it from the roots. It has a cooling effect on the scalp, along with anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties which prevent dandruff and calm the itchiness. Moreover, aloe vera is rich in vitamins like A, C and E as well as minerals like calcium, zinc and magnesium.

Pro-tip: If you have a plant at your home, cut a branch in half and scoop out the gel from the plant. Apply it directly to your scalp and massage for 15 minutes. Leave it for another 30 minutes and wash it off with shampoo. Doing this once a month could work wonders for your hair. If you don’t own a plant, you can buy aloe vera parts from the market or even use a good quality and organic store-bought gel.

Apple Cider Vinegar

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The slightly astringent nature of apple cider vinegar helps destroy the infection-causing microbes, hence controlling the itchy scalp and dandruff. It also balances the pH value of your hair. Additionally, apple cider vinegar also removes residue or product build-up from your roots that can help with hair fall as well.

Pro-tip: Dilute some apple cider vinegar in equal amounts of water, and apply before washing your hair. Keep it for 30 minutes at least. You can add drops of honey in the mask for that extra hydration. Use twice a week for best results.

Mashed Banana

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You may have seen many banana-infused hair products in the market. This is due to the fruit’s natural antimicrobial properties that aid in clearing up dry scalps. They’re incredibly nourishing and moisturising, hence, making for a great treatment to dry scalp and dandruff.

Pro-tip: Take a banana and mash or blend it with a couple of tablespoons of olive oil or coconut oil. However, blending the banana is advised since it’s easier to rinse out. Massage this mixture into your scalp and leave it on for five to 10 minutes. Rinse with lukewarm water and shampoo.

Tea Tree Oil

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Tea tree oil is rich in antiseptic, antifungal, and antibiotic properties. This aids greatly with not just clearing out dandruff and dry skin, but also helps in getting rid of the fungus that causes it. It simultaneously also moisturises the scalp and clears blocked pores to stop further dryness.

Pro-tip: Add a few drops of tea tree oil to coconut oil or to olive oil and massage into your scalp. Leave it on for 10 minutes and then rinse with lukewarm water.

Apply Mehendi
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Henna has been a prominent component in numerous celebratory and medicinal purposes since the early Vedic ages. Henna is well-known for its use as a hair dye due to its tannin concentration, but it also possesses antifungal properties that aid in the removal of dandruff. The vitamin and antioxidant component of the leaves softens and shines the hair.
Pro Tip: Henna can be used as a hair mask by mixing the powder with tea; let it sit for a night. Adding an egg to the mak before applying will make the hair mask more nourishing.

Orange Peel
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Vitamin C is a popular ingredient in skin and haircare products, and our minds have already been bombarded with information about how helpful it is for our skin and hair. However, if you want to shift to an organic or do-it-yourself regimen, orange peel will not disappoint.
The presence of Vitamin C in orange peels, along with Citric Acid concentration, ensures collagen rebuilding in the scalp. The scalp skin is strengthened by a healthy level of collagen. Orange peel's antibacterial and antifungal qualities help provide deep cleansing.
Pro Tip: The Orange peel can be turned into a paste, and mixed yoghurt and a dash lemon juice for using it as a hairmask. Leave it on for 30 mins and wash with luke warm water.

Egg Yolk
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Despite its foul odour, egg yolk is a common ingredient in both DIY and professional hair care products. The surplus of protein and fatty acids present nourish the scalp in a profound manner. Fats and lipids also aid in the scalp's moisture retention, preventing flaking and dandruff. Vitamins and antioxidants are quite helpful in combating the fungal infection.
Pro Tip: This versatile ingredient can be applied to the hair in many ways. It can be directly applied to the scalp, or you can even mix it with other ingredients. Egg yolk and castor oil teams up to be a very effective hair mask.

Green Tea
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Despite the fact that green tea is an excellent addition to a healthy diet, it is also an incredible treatment for dandruff and a one-step solution for healthy hair. The green tea leaves contain antioxidants that protect hair follicles and the scalp by increasing oil production. The astringent properties are also believed to alleviate the itchiness and irritation caused by the fungus.
Pro Tip: Make green tea and let it cool down. Apply the Green tea to a wet hair, right after a hair wash. Wash your hair after 10 to 15 minutes.

Olive Oil
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In addition to being a fantastic supplement to a balanced diet, green tea is a remarkable therapy for dandruff and a one-step solution for healthy hair. The antioxidants in green tea leave protect hair follicles and the scalp by stimulating oil production. It is claimed that the astringent characteristics reduce the discomfort and irritation produced by the fungus.
Pro Tip: Combining Olive with Lemon juice can make a very effective hair mask. Olive mixed with Egg Yolk can also be an equally effective hair mask.

Baking Soda
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A fungal infection is the primary cause of dandruff on the scalp.
Baking soda's anti-fungal properties help to keep fungus at bay while also soothing scalp pain. Because of its exfoliating properties, it aids in the removal of oil accumulation that holds dirt and dead skin.

Pro Tip: Baking soda can be turned into paste by adding Apple cider Vinegar. Massage the the paste on your scalp for a few minutes and rinse with cold water. Do this twice a week till your dandruff vanishes.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q. Does dandruff cause hair fall?

A. Dandruff does not cause hair fall, but the itchy scalp which is caused by dandruff can result in hair fall. If you scratch your head, you can damage your hair follicles, which results in hair fall.

Q. Is dandruff contagious?

A. We cannot spread or catch dandruff so, no, dandruff is not contagious.

Q. Why does dandruff happen?

A. There are multiple reasons dandruff can be caused. As mentioned before, it can be genetic or due to environmental conditions. Dandruff can also be caused because of a lack of moisture on the scalp. Dry flakes are created when the scalp does not get enough nourishment. One of the other reasons for dandruff is also excess oil present in the scalp, it causes bacteria and the growth of fungus, which leads to dandruff.

Q. Can Vitamin Deficiency Lead To Dandruff?

A. According to a number of researchers, dandruff is frequently caused by a deficiency in vitamins associated to skin health, such as vitamin B, C, and D.

Q. Is Dandruff More Common During Summer Or Winter?

A. Dandruff may seem like it gets worse in the season of winter but any seasonal change does not trigger a case of dandruff.

Q. What Naturally Kills Dandruff?

A. Dandruff can be totally cleansed by implementing few natural ingredients into your haircare routine. The ingredients can be used in the form of simple DIY hair masks which barely takes 5 minutes to be prepared

Also Read: 4 Simple Tips for Dandruff Treatment Effectively