What should you know about dry itchy and flaky scalp?

Flakes may be small and dry or greasy and stuck to the scalp. Dandruff and Seborrheic Dermatitis often affect oily areas, while Scalp Psoriasis can form thicker, sharply defined scale that extends beyond the hairline. Scalp Ringworm may cause tender scaling, broken hairs, or patches of hair loss and needs medical treatment. A clinician considers redness, scale, itch, soreness, hair changes, and whether the problem followed a new product.

Wash regularly with lukewarm water and avoid scratching, picking scale, or scraping the scalp. Pause new dyes, fragrances, oils, and styling products if irritation began after their use. A pharmacist or clinician may suggest Medicated Shampoo Treatment when the pattern fits a scalp scaling condition; follow the label or prescription directions and allow the product the stated contact time. Do not share combs, brushes, hats, or towels when a fungal infection is possible, and arrange an examination for patchy hair loss.

Seek medical review for painful or swollen areas, oozing, crusting, tender lumps, broken hairs, patchy hair loss, or scale that reaches the face or ears. Prompt care is appropriate when several people in the household have an itchy scalp or when symptoms follow a new medicine. Urgent help is needed for facial swelling, breathing trouble, or rapidly worsening infection-like redness.

Ask whether the scale is dandruff, dermatitis, psoriasis, or ringworm; which shampoo is suitable; how long to try it; and how to protect hair and scalp from irritation.