Home Remedies To Avoid Painful Scalp Scabs

 

Do you have scabs on your scalp? If yes, then you know how painful and embarrassing scalp scabs can be. Why? It is simply unattractive and unsightly. What precisely are these scabs? 

Scratching your head can harm your scalp. It could lead to troublesome, itchy, and dry skin that is called scabs. These scabs may make your scalp itchy and cause you to keep itching and could eventually lead to hair fall constantly.  In this article, we will discuss different types of scabs, their causes, and natural remedies to treat them. Keep on reading. 

What are Scalp Scabs? 

When you keep scratching your head, chances are you are damaging the external skin of your scalp. However, the damaged skin recuperates itself with platelets that stay together to form clumps that harden into scabs. These scabs are black, red, brown, or yellowish and can be very painful and irritating. Too much scratching could lead to bleeding that may worsen the case.  

One of the most common reasons scabs are formed is oily or several skin conditions like dermatitis or psoriasis. The way to treat scabs is to understand why they happen. The following are some of the causes for scalp scabs: 

• Oily Scalp: Oily scalp could lead to excess dandruff as well as itching sensation. When your scalp is itching, constantly scratching your head could gradually develop scabs.  
• Seborrheic Dermatitis (Dandruff): It is a condition that can be characterized by flaky, patchy, and dandruff-prone skin. The symptoms incorporate itching, flaky scalp, and skin irritation. It isn’t infectious and can be dealt with effectively with over-the-counter medications or physician-endorsed drugs (in extreme cases). 
• Scalp Psoriasis: This skin condition that happens when you have an immune dysfunction. It can cause thick silver and black-scaled red patches either all over your head or specific parts.
• Lichen Planopilaris: It is a skin condition where you develop red or purple bumps on your scalp. It is a condition that causes scaling and redness around your hair follicles and could eventually lead to alopecia (hair fall). 
• Ringworm: The term ‘ringworm’, also a fungal disease, is also called tinea capitis and could affect your scalp and hair follicles.  
• Scabies: Scalp scabs can also happen because of scabiei bugs. Scabies is caused by the Sarcoptes scabiei mites, which make their way into the host. It causes itching and leads to flaky skin. It usually happens in kids; however, adults can also be affected by this skin condition.  
• Head Lice: Head lice are the most common reason behind scalp scabs as it is infectious. Other than sucking blood, they additionally cause an itching sensation, which could force you to keep scratching your head. This could cause wounds that lead to scabs development. 

Other reasons for scalp scabs include shingles, eosinophilic folliculitis, skin inflammation, contact dermatitis, impetigo, scalp acne, scalp folliculitis, and skin picking. It can be hard to recognize and may even lead to severe issues like hair loss, infections, and scalp irritation.

Different Symptoms To Look Out For 

The following are some of the symptoms associated with scabs:

• Whitish Yellow Scabs: Overuse of conditioners, balms, moisturizers, or hair cream can make moisture get trapped in the scab and foster pus discharge, causing it to seem white. Yellow scabs are a sign of infectious discharge from injuries. 
• Hair Loss: If you lose hair on the spots on your scalp where you see red and purple bumps and scars, it could be associated with lupus or lichen planopilaris. 
• Scabs On The Same Spot: If you notice that you are getting scabs on the same spot, again and again, it might be associated with melanoma and should be treated as soon as possible. 
• Green Pus: If you notice a green discharge from your scalp scabs, it indicates severe skin disease, which should be treated as soon as possible. 

Instructions for Treating Scalp Scabs Naturally

There are few home remedies that can help speed up the process and prevent any further recurrence of scalp scabs: 

1. Warm Compression 

Warm compression helps in softening your scabs and makes them fall off quickly. 

What You Need 

• Towel 
• Boiling hot water 
• Hair brush 

What To Do? 

• Soak a towel in boiling water.
• Wring out the rest of the water.
• Wrap the towel on your scalp.  
• Let it rest for about 10-15 minutes. 
• Once your hair is dry, brush out the scabs gently.
• You can do this once every couple of days. 

2. Aloe Vera Gel 

If you are looking for a soothing remedy for scalp scabs and hair loss, then aloe vera gel is the treatment you should take. Studies show that aloe vera can help calm several skin issues, including scabs, seborrheic dermatitis, dandruff, skin inflammation, and psoriasis. It reduces the aggravation, itching sensation, and its antibacterial property protects your scalp from skin bacteria.

What You Need 

• Fresh gel from aloe vera leaf 
• A couple of Vitamin E tablets

What To Do? 

• Scrape the gel from the aloe vera leaf. 
• Extract the oil from the Vitamin E tablets and mix well with the gel.  
• Apply this blend to the scalp scabs. 
• Leave it on for 60 minutes. 
• Wash it off with a gentle cleanser. 
• Do this twice per week. 

3. Lemon Juice 

Lemon juice reduces the dryness and irritation of your scalp. It's beneficial in treating dandruff and ringworm, which are significant reasons for scalp scabs. Since it can be harsh on direct application, always blend it in a carrier oil. 

What You Need 

• 1 tablespoon of olive oil 
• ½ teaspoon of lemon juice 

What To Do? 

• Warm the olive oil for about 30 seconds in a microwave. 
• Squeeze the lemon into the warm olive oil. 
• Massage it onto your scalp. 
• Leave it for 30 minutes. 
• Wash it off with a gentle cleanser. 
• Do this twice a week for best results.

4. Neem Leaves 

Neem leaves (Indian lilac) can help with treating scalp scabs. Its antibacterial properties help in getting rid of scabs and keep your scalp healthy and dandruff-free.  

What You Need 

• Handful neem leaves
• 2 cups of water

What To Do? 

• Boil some neem leaves in two cups of water. 
• Strain the water and let it cool down. 
• Wash your hair with this neem water each day. 

5. Apple Cider Vinegar 

Apple Cider Vinegar is a very famous home remedy for a lot of skin and hair-related problems. It has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. It also helps adjust the pH of your scalp to decrease dryness and irritation, making it the perfect treatment for scalp scabs.   

What You Need 

• 2 tablespoons of ACV 
• 1 cup of warm water 

What To Do? 

• Mix the ACV with water. 
• Apply this combination to your scalp. 
• Massage gently. 
• Wash it off with water. 
• Follow this two times every week for the best results. 

6. Oats 

This trusted (though dull) breakfast item has lots of skin benefits including treating scalp scabs. It helps calm the inflamed skin and is exceptionally hydrating. Research shows that oats can help ease the tingling sensation, prevent dandruff, itchy scalp, and other scalp issues.  

What You Need 

• 2 tablespoons of uncooked oats
• Water 

What To Do? 

• Blend the oats in water to form a paste.  
• Apply the paste on your scalp and leave it on for 10 minutes. 
• Wash it off with a gentle cleanser. 
• Follow this once every week for the best results.

7. Jojoba Oil 

Jojoba oil is a common ingredient used in skincare products. It relieves skin inflammation, bumps, and even scalp scabs. It can help reduce dermatitis and psoriasis. Jojoba oil keeps the scalp hydrated and promotes new hair development.  

What You Need 

• Jojoba oil 

What To Do? 

• Massage your scalp with a few drops of jojoba oil before sleeping. 
• Leave it on overnight. 
• Wash it off with a gentle cleanser. 
• Follow this two times per week. 

8. Tea Tree Oil 

Tea tree oil is a powerful tool for fighting dandruff, scalp injuries, and hair fall, known for its antifungal, antibacterial, and antiseptic properties. It also helps in preventing scalp scabs and provides comfort from itching sensation.  

What You Need 

• 2 tablespoons of almond oil 
• 1 teaspoon of tea tree oil 

What To Do? 

• Blend the tea tree and almond oils. 
• Massage the combination onto your scalp. 
• Leave the oil for at least 30 minutes. 
• Using a gentle shampoo, wash it off. 
• Do this at least twice a week. 

9. Olive Oil 

Scalp massages are one of the most common ways of treating scalp scabs and hair fall related symptoms. While a general scalp massage using any oil is perfect for treating scabs, olive oil could help hydrate squalene in your scalp and help reduce the appearance of scabs. It also makes your hair healthy, stronger, and your scalp free from dandruff, dermatitis, psoriasis, and rosacea.  

What You Need 

• 4 tablespoons of olive oil

What To Do? 

• For 30-seconds, warm the olive oil in a microwave. 
• Massage the heated oil onto your scalp. 
• You can either leave it on overnight or wait for an hour. 
• Using a gentle shampoo and conditioner, wash your hair.
• Do this at least three times a week. 

10. Coconut Oil 

Coconut oil can be used as both hair oil and scalp cream. It reduces scalp dryness and flaky skin (scalp). It also helps in other scalp issues like dandruff, skin inflammation, and dermatitis and prevents head lice. 

What You Need 

• 3 tablespoons of coconut oil 
• Towel 

What To Do? 

• Apply coconut oil onto your scalp. 
• Soak a towel in boiling water. 
• Wring out the rest of the water. 
• For at least 10 minutes, wrap the towel over your head. 
• Using a gentle shampoo and conditioner, wash off the oil. 
• Follow this remedy at least thrice every week. 

Conclusion: 

If you have been suffering from scalp scabs and hair fall, following the home remedies can help you alleviate the symptoms and irritation. You can also include foods like walnuts, sunflower seeds, flax seeds or flax oil, fish, and tuna, that are rich in omega-3 polyunsaturated unsaturated fats (PUFA), docosahexaenoic corrosive (DHA), and eicosapentaenoic corrosive (EPA) to treat the problem from its root. 

Try using a shampoo rich in alpha-linolenic corrosive (ALA), and linoleic corrosive (LA) to see  tremendous effects on your scalp. Although every remedy mentioned above is safe, it is still advisable to reach out to your physician if the problem aggravates after using any home remedies.