Many of us deal with increased itchiness when in braids or other protective styles. Here are a few remedies that will help stop the itching.

1. Wash Your Hair

2. Wash Your Hair

3. Wash Your HURRRRR!!!!!!
For real though, wash your hair if it’s itching. Wash it- don’t pat, don’t ignore it, don’t add more products to it…just cowash or shampoo it and start with a clean slate. It’s also important that your hair has the chance to dry completely. Dampness can cause a slew of problems that contribute to an itchy scalp. If you wash your hair and do not allow it to fully dry, the problem will be compounded, rather than solved. Leave your braids loose so they dry faster, when you are ready for bed, tie your hair in a silk scarf to reduce frizz.

Now for added relief before or after you WASH your hair try one of the following…

1. Peppermint Oil

Peppermint essential oil is an excellent remedy for scalp itching and irritation. To err on the side of safety, always dilute essential oils in a carrier oil, like extra virgin olive oil, before applying directly to the skin. Use about a drop of essential oil per ounce of carrier oil. The peppermint will tingle and provide a cooling effect that will relieve the itchy feeling. Using your fingertips, massage your peppermint oil mix on your scalp for itch relief.

2. Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil is an essential oil with anti-bacterial properties. It is a common ingredient in many shampoos and conditioners that treat dandruff. It can cause a tingling sensation. Tea tree essential oil should be diluted with a carrier oil such as extra virgin olive oil. Always do a skin patch test to check for potential allergies before using on the skin or scalp. Using your fingertips, massage your tea tree oil mix on your scalp for itch relief.

3. Neem Oil

Neem is an ayurvedic remedy for many maladies of the scalp and skin. Neem oil or powder is an anti-bacterial and germicidal agent used to treat dandruff, allergies, rashes and other things. The oil is known to have a very pungent and unappealing smell so use it sparingly and plan to wash soon afterward. Need powder is odorless. As with all other products, natural or otherwise, always do a skin patch test. Using your fingertips, massage your neem oil mix on your scalp for itch relief.

4. Aloe Vera Juice

Aloe vera has cooling and soothing effects. Apply to irritated skin to reap the healing benefits. Put aloe vera juice in a spray bottle to distribute it to all areas of your scalp. Do not rinse, allow it to dry. It’s also beneficial to the length of your hair.

5. Store Bought Scalp Treatment (should be a liquid)

I’ve talked about this before, but there are many products on the market designed to deep clean the scalp. The ingredients usually clean up sebum buildup, cure dandruff, relieve dry scalp, irritation and itchiness. These are typically used prior to shampooing and are meant to be rinsed from the hair and scalp. I have personally only used the Home Health Scalp Treatment which can be purchased from iHerb.com (use discount code EKI823 for $5 off your first order). When browsing iHerb.com I found similar products from other brands including: The Jane Carter Solution, Scalp Renew and brands Avalon Organics, J/A/S/O/N. Amazon.com is also a great source for these and the other products suggested.

Visit the NIH website for cautions to take when considering essential oils and always test for skin allergies.