The responsible allergens were preservatives (Kathon CG, formaldehyde, captan, methyldibromo glutaronitrile and dyazolinidyl urea), fragrances (FM1, FM2, and balsam of Peru), and surfactants (cocamidopropyl betaine, lauryl polyglucoside, and decyl glucoside).
You may be allergic to shampoo if you experience symptoms such as scalp redness, itching, rash, hives, or inflammation after use. Other signs include eye irritation or watery eyes.
Pyrithione zinc shampoos use an antifungal called zinc pyrithione that also fights bacteria. Salicylic acid shampoos reduce flaking and scaly patches, and can help moisturize a dry scalp. Selenium sulfide shampoos also contain an antifungal. Be sure to rinse all the shampoo out so it doesn't stain your hair or scalp.
Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate or Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES)
Sulfates are very strong detergents and great for stripping the oils from your hair. Sadly, that also means they rob your hair of its moisture. These cleaning agents are so harsh they can damage the hair, make it brittle, and increase frizz.
An itchy, dry, and flaky scalp could be telling you that you need to do a better job of rinsing the shampoo from your hair. Leaving some shampoo on your scalp can irritate it. If you have an itchy scalp and a rash, you may have a condition called allergic contact dermatitis.
Pyrithione Zinc (ZPT) – our key active ingredient, ZPT helps prevent the microbe , Malassezia globosa, the main dandruff-causing microbe, from forming by-products from the sebum on the scalp which causes irritation.
Some home remedies that can soothe an itchy scalp include medicated shampoos with selenium sulfide and tar shampoos. Apple cider vinegar rinses and oatmeal masks can help relieve scalp itching. You can also try scalp treatments using essential oils like tea tree or lemongrass oil.
Ingredients in products you use may be the ultimate culprits to your skin sensitivities without you knowing it. You could be using products that have general irritants or specific ingredients that do not mesh well with you or the pH of your scalp, leading to scalp tenderness and pain.
The allergens most commonly present, in order of prevalence are as follows: fragrance, cocamidopropyl betaine, methylchloroisothiazolinone/methylisothiazolinone, formaldehyde releasers, propylene glycol, vitamin E, parabens, benzophenones, iodopropynyl butylcarbamate, and methyldibromoglutaronitrile/phenoxyethanol.
Why we love it: If you're all about immediate relief, Nizoral Anti-Dandruff Shampoo with 1% Ketoconazole should be your go-to for soothing an itchy, irritated scalp.
Various underlying conditions can cause an itchy scalp without dandruff. Examples include head lice, hives, and dermatitis. The scalp may also be sore, dry, or tender. Treatment can depend on the cause.
Vitamins D, B2, B3, B6, B7 are usually associated with a flaky scalp. A deficiency of these vitamins can directly impact the immune system and increase the risk of inflammation. Vitamin B and Zinc also play an integral role in boosting your immune system to counter dandruff like ailments.
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.
Several common ingredients used in shampoo are known to cause skin irritation and allergic reactions in people who are sensitive to them. Common shampoo allergens include fragrances, preservatives like formaldehyde, acrylates, and sulfates.
Ammonium Laureth Sulfate can cause moderate to severe skin and eye irritation. It can also be contaminated with 1,4-Dioxane a suspected carcinogen. The severity of the irritation to increases directly with the concentration of ALES in a product.
However, as we mentioned, the molecular weight and silky-smooth texture of dimethicone in shampoo might make it hard to rinse off. Then it leads to improper scalp cleaning and causes scalp problems such as excessive oil secretion, oily dandruff, scalp pimples, etc.