Natural Treatments for Dry Scalp

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A dry scalp is itchy, flaky, and maybe a little embarrassing—but no big deal, right? Think again. While dryness can be harmless, it may also signal an underlying issue that needs attention.

Some culprits of a dry, flaky scalp (like hair products) are easier to pinpoint. But other causes, including aging, environmental triggers, vitamin deficiencies, and even autoimmune conditions, can be trickier to diagnose. Psoriasis and alopecia are two autoimmune diseases that may lead to red, scaly, and thickened skin.1Trüeb RM, Henry JP, Davis MG, Schwartz JR. Scalp condition impacts hair growth and retention via oxidative stress. Int J Trichology. 2018 Nov-Dec;10(6):262-270. https://doi.org/10.4103/ijt.ijt_57_18

“Additional conditions that can cause dry scalp can include dandruff, seborrheic dermatitis, psoriasis, atopic eczema, and tinea capitis, which is a fungal infection of the scalp,” explains Kirby Thompson, ND, LAc, a naturopathic expert, acupuncturist, and founder of Wildflower Wellness LLC in Hattiesburg, Mississippi.

Diagnosing a dry, itchy scalp

Person washes hair with bar shampoo in shower

The scalp skin is prone to conditions with similar symptoms, such as scaling, itching, redness, festering, and hair loss.2Elewski BE. Clinical diagnosis of common scalp disorders. J Invest Dermatol Symp Proc. 2005;10(3):190-193. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1087-0024.2005.10103.x Proper diagnosis is key, whether the problem is seborrheic dermatitis, an undiagnosed medical condition, or something else.

“With any condition, we want to keep it simple at first and ask why the body is responding this way,” says Dr. Thompson. Sometimes, a fact-finding mission is the best approach to treatment. A conversation with the patient about recent changes, including the use of any new products, starts the process. Detergents, body lotions, food, and even climate can irritate skin. A seasonal diagnosis and strategy may be appropriate, especially during winter, when dry weather saps moisture. “Sometimes, treating a dry, itchy scalp can be as simple as removing the offending agent,” she says.

Dr. Thompson may also recommend tests to identify nutritional deficiencies that could be contributing to a dry scalp. These assessments help her pinpoint the root cause and develop a personalized, effective treatment plan.

For potentially more serious diagnoses of dry scalp, such as psoriasis, a naturopathic doctor might refer a patient to a dermatologist or other specialist while offering complementary support to manage symptoms.

Home remedies can relieve dryness

Once diagnosed, addressing symptoms with natural remedies is often the next step. Many skin solutions can be found at home:

Glass bottle of fresh apple cider vinegar next to red apples on wooden cutting board
  • Tea tree oil
  • Jojoba oil
  • Apple cider vinegar
  • Aloe vera
  • Lemon juice
  • Olive oil
  • Egg yolk
  • Coal tar
  • Baking soda
  • Coconut oil

A 2021 dandruff study found topical coconut oil an effective treatment for dry scalp.3Saxena R, Mittal P, Clavaud C, et al. Longitudinal study of the scalp microbiome suggests coconut oil to enrich healthy scalp commensals. Sci Rep. 2021;11. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-021-86454-1 Similarly, research has shown that aloe vera can help soothe scalp irritation.4Setiawan M. The effectiveness of aloe vera in multiple moist spray products as a hair tonic to reduce students scalp irritation. JKKI. 2024;4(2):142-149. https://ebsina.or.id/journals/index.php/jkki/article/view/354/192 In a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, patients with seborrheic dermatitis experienced significantly less scaliness and itching when treated with aloe vera than those taking a placebo.5Vardy D, Cohen A, Tchetov T, Medvedovsky E, Biton A. A double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of an aloe vera (A. barbadensis) emulsion in the treatment of seborrheic dermatitis. J Dermatol Treat. 1999;10(1). https://doi.org/10.3109/09546639909055904 For topical oils like tea tree and olive, apply a few drops to the scalp and let it sit for several minutes before rinsing.

Other natural remedies, such as a combination of probiotics, honey, turmeric, and vitamin B12, may also help reduce symptoms like itchiness, dryness, and flakiness.6Fithian E, Thivalapill N, Kosner J, et al. Natural topical treatment contributes to a reduction of dry scalp symptoms in children. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2023;16. https://doi.org/10.2147/CCID.S424077 Dye- and chemical-free shampoos, styling products, and hair, scalp, and body products may help reduce irritation.

Over-the-counter topical cream or medicated shampoo that contains anti-fungal selenium sulfide may be effective for dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis that don’t respond to natural treatment.7Godse G, Godse K. Safety, efficacy and attributes of 2.5% selenium sulfide shampoo in the treatment of dandruff: a single-center study. Cureus. 2024;16(3). https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.57148

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Getting to the root cause

“Gut health is huge when it comes to the skin,” notes Dr. Thompson. “Gut imbalances, infections, known or unknown food allergies and sensitivities can all trigger imbalances in the immune system, which can [be reflected] on the skin.”

A growing body of research involving the gut–skin axis indicates that GI health can dramatically influence skin. An imbalanced gut microbiome could contribute to a host of issues, including atopic dermatitis and psoriasis.8Mahmud M, Akter S, Tamanna S, et al. Impact of gut microbiome on skin health: gut-skin axis observed through the lenses of therapeutics and skin diseases. Gut Microbes. 2022;14(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/19490976.2022.2096995

Dr. Thompson tests for food sensitivities, nutrition, and hair minerals and, if necessary, recommends eliminating dairy, wheat, eggs, and peanuts. She also supports digestion with enzymes, apple cider vinegar, and personalized dietary advice.

A healthy diet: essential vitamins and minerals

Vegetarian and vegan salads in bowls

Like overall health, maintaining a healthy scalp starts with a nutrient-rich, anti-inflammatory diet. The Mediterranean diet, known for its abundance of whole, unprocessed foods like fruits, vegetables, and grains, is a great example.9Koelman L, Rodrigues C, Aleksandrova K. Effects of dietary patterns on biomarkers of inflammation and immune responses: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Adv in Nutr. 2022;13(1):101-115. https://doi.org/10.1093/advances/nmab086 Healthy fats from fish, olive oil, and nuts support skin and scalp health. Low-glycemic foods like whole grains also contribute to a healthier complexion.10Ahmed I, Mikail M. Diet and skin health: the good and the bad. Nutrition. 2024;119. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nut.2023.112350

“It’s not only important to remove potentially offending foods,” says Dr. Thompson, “but also to add foods high in zinc, biotin, vitamin A, iron, and omega–three fatty acids.”

Research suggests that fish oil and omega–3 supplements can help with various dermatological conditions, including flaky skin disorders like atopic dermatitis and psoriasis.11Thomsen BJ, Chow EY, Sapijaszko MJ. The potential uses of omega-3 fatty acids in dermatology: a review. Journal Cutan Med Surg. 2020;24(5). https://doi.org/10.1177/1203475420929925 These essential fats play a key role in reducing inflammation and maintaining hydration.

Vitamin C, B6, and zinc deficiency are associated with skin conditions like seborrheic dermatitis and eczema.12Galimberti F, Mesinkovska NA. Skin findings associated with nutritional deficiencies. Cleve Clin J Med. 2016;83(10):731-739. https://www.ccjm.org/content/83/10/731 Naturopathic treatments for gut health may include probiotics, prebiotics, colostrum, and essential vitamins (A, D, C, and E).13Gou H, Zhang Y, Ren L, et al. How do intestinal probiotics restore the intestinal barrier? Frontiers in Microbiology. 2022;13. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2022.929346,14Dziewiecka H, Buttar HS, Kasperska A, et al. A systematic review of the influence of bovine colostrum supplementation on leaky gut syndrome in athletes: diagnostic biomarkers and future directions. Nutrients. 2022;14(12). https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14122512,15Pham VT, Dold S, Rehman A, et al. Vitamins, the gut microbiome and gastrointestinal health in humans. Nutr Res. 2021;95:35-53. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nutres.2021.09.001

A natural approach to scalp health

Naturopathic medicine seeks to identify the root causes of dry scalp through testing and evaluations. From there, a tailored strategy can include dietary advice and supplements to support long-term relief.

“Find the root and then clear the branches,” concludes Dr. Thompson. “Getting the best support possible is important, and that’s what naturopathic medicine provides.”

Footnotes

This article is provided by

The Institute for Natural Medicine, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. INM’s mission is to transform health care in the United States by increasing public awareness of natural medicine and access to naturopathic doctors. Naturopathic medicine, with its person-centered principles and practices, has the potential to reverse the tide of chronic illness overwhelming healthcare systems and to empower people to achieve and maintain optimal lifelong health. INM strives to fulfil this mission through the following initiatives:

  • Education – Reveal the unique benefits and outcomes of evidence-based natural medicine
  • Access – Connect patients to licensed naturopathic doctors
  • Research – Expand quality research on this complex and comprehensive system of medicine

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