Oestrogen stimulates the body's production of oils, which keeps the scalp naturally moisturised. As oestrogen levels decline, the body produces fewer oils, and the scalp can become more prone to dryness and itching.
Hormonal imbalances may be to blame for a range of unwanted symptoms from fatigue or weight gain to itchy skin or low mood.
Women's skin is also generally more sensitive during menstruation, which may extend to the scalp. Postpartum hormonal fluctuations, in which oestrogen and progesterone levels drop dramatically, cause the scalp to become oilier, which can produce flaking and itching.
Dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis
These are the most common reasons for an itchy scalp. “Your body's inflammatory response to an overgrowth of yeast causes the itching and flaking associated with these conditions.
Autoimmune diseases that have been linked with scalp itch are dermatomyositis, systemic lupus erythematosus, scleroderma and Sjögren syndrome. Itch may or may not be associated with skin lesions.
Vitamin B and vitamin D are two vitamins that will help with your skin care and could potentially reduce the production of dandruff. One of the main vitamins a doctor may recommend is zinc. An increase in zinc has shown anti-fungal progress and could help naturally reduce your dandruff.
Discoid cutaneous lupus
You may experience symptoms including pain, itching and burning. In some cases, you may not experience any symptoms. Most often, symptoms will develop on your face, ears or scalp.
An intensely itchy scalp without signs of a rash or another skin reaction can be a sign of a nerve problem. Your doctor may say you have neuropathy (neu-rop-ah-thie). It's the medical word for a problem along a nerve due to damage, disease, or an abnormality in the way the nerve works.
An itchy scalp is a common problem that occurs during menopause and sometimes it is accompanied by visible signs, such as scabbed or flaking skin and red patches. If you find your scalp is irritated after a long, hot shower, this could also be the first signs of a dry and itchy scalp during menopause.
Hormonal shifts during your menstrual cycle can impact your scalp heavily. For instance, leading up to and during your period, you may find your scalp becomes oilier, which in turn, can trigger flaking and itching if you are pre-disposed to dandruff.
Dry Scalp: Just like the hormonal shift can cause skin to lose moisture, your scalp and hair may also become dry and brittle.
From oily, greasy hair in our teen years to voluminous, shiny hair during pregnancy to thinning hair or male pattern baldness as we age; each transition of our life is affected by the natural shift of our hormones, and this has an effect on the health and strength of our scalp and hair.
Menopause / Low Estrogen Levels
Vaginal itching is a common symptom of low estrogen levels, which cause vaginal dryness. Over time, vaginal dryness leads to irritation and itching, and can even be painful. Low estrogen levels, though most often related to menopause, can also affect much younger women.
If your scalp is dry, try using a shampoo with zinc or selenium. A good conditioner can also help; your hairdresser or dermatologist can suggest one. Also limit how often you wash your hair and blow dryer usage. If you are outdoors often, use a leave-in conditioner with zinc oxide.
Scalp psoriasis is an autoimmune condition that causes thick patches of skin to develop on your scalp or the skin around your scalp. You may feel self-conscious, and it can be unpleasant if it's itchy or painful. However, it isn't contagious, and treatments can help your symptoms improve.
The rash associated with acute cutaneous lupus appears in a recognizable butterfly pattern that spreads across the nose and cheeks. This rash is flat, red, and itchy, and it usually appears after sun exposure. Occasionally, a rash may appear on other parts of the body, such as the arms and legs.
Flaky scalp, itchiness and painful patches can all be signs of scalp dermatitis, an inflammation of the scalp that can have as many causes as it does symptoms. In most cases, it's not a serious condition and can be treated with over-the-counter medications or topical treatments.
Scalp issues
While itchy and flaky scalp are result of dandruff in hair, seborrheic dermatitis might also spread to face, chest and groin. Having a healthy and nutritious diet can actually help in getting rid of such scalp issues. Low levels of Vitamin B2, B6 and B3 and zinc are major reason for scalp issues.
Dry scalp may be caused by nutritional deficiencies, such as not getting enough vitamins B6 and B12 in your diet. Boost your intake through fruits, vegetables, and whole-grain breads and cereals and, if necessary, through supplements such as flaxseed oil, zinc, and selenium.
Try a salicylic acid shampoo.
A salicylic acid shampoo, like Neutrogena's T/Sal Therapeutic Shampoo, “helps dissolve those little flakes and is effective for relieving itch, especially if you're dealing with extra dryness,” says Dr. Mehlis.
Thus, estrogens selectively enhance histamine-evoked itch in females via the spinal GRP/GRPR system. This may explain why itch sensation varies with estrogen levels and provides a basis for treating itch in females by targeting GRPR.