Why is my scalp so itchy and flaky?
Answered by the AskDoc Medical Team · Medically reviewed under our Medical Director, MBBS
Common dandruff is seborrheic dermatitis: an overreaction to a yeast that lives on every scalp, flaring with stress, winter and infrequent washing. Greasy yellowish flakes with itch are its signature.
Anti-dandruff shampoos containing ketoconazole, selenium sulfide or zinc pyrithione work when used correctly: lather, wait five minutes, rinse, two or three times weekly for a month, then maintenance.
Thick silvery plaques, scalp psoriasis, patchy hair loss with scale, or a scalp that fails two proper shampoo trials deserves a doctor. In children, patchy scale with broken hairs can be fungal and needs oral treatment.
For dry or itchy skin
Doctors reach for plain, fragrance-free creams like CeraVe or Cetaphil, not fancy actives. A thicker cream beats lotion, applied within minutes of washing while skin is still damp.
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