Scalp SOS: Why winter might be causing your itchiness

As the temperature drops, you may start noticing an itchy, flaky scalp – and this may be directly linked to the drier, colder weather.  

“The skin is a multifunctional barrier between the body and the environment. The outer layer of the skin (epidermis) prevents passive epidermal water loss which helps to keep the skin moist, together with epidermal lipids,” says Dr Avela Mayekiso, a dermatologist practising at Netcare Sunward Park Hospital. 

“Colder temperatures often disrupt the skin barrier by allowing for greater trans-epidermal water loss which results in dry, itchy, cracked skin that increases moisturising demands,” she explains. Dr Mayekiso says that people who typically struggle with dry skin conditions, such as eczema or psoriasis, may experience more flare-ups in colder seasons. 

The good news is that the dryness and itchiness can be treated and should ease up when the season changes again. 

Tips for caring for your scalp

Caring for your scalp should be simple and if you follow these guidelines, you should see an improvement in dryness, itchiness and general hygiene.

Dr Mayekiso advises people to wash their hair with warm (not hot) water and to use gentle, shampoos and conditioners that are free from fragrances, parabens, sulphates and colourants. “Avoid products that contain alcohol as they further deplete moisture from the skin and compound the dryness and scaling,” she adds. 

Massage shampoo gently into the scalp and leave it on for 5–10 minutes to allow the ingredients to work, especially if you’re using a medicated shampoo to treat a particular skin condition. Moisturise the scalp within 10 minutes of washing (while it’s still moist) – using a cream or ointment instead of a lotion. Look out for products that contain the following ingredients: glycerine, shear butter, jojoba oil, mineral oil, liquid paraffin, petroleum jelly, jojoba oil or lanolin.

After styling your hair, wear protective clothing such as a hat or scarf in extreme weather conditions. 

There is no need to exfoliate the scalp, Dr Mayekiso says, adding that regular washing of the scalp with a shampoo and followed by a conditioner and moisturiser should be enough for basic scalp care. She does, however warn against over-processing the scalp with chemicals as this can lead to inflammation, cracking of the skin which predisposes you to infections, scarring and hair loss.

“The frequency of washing will be determined by how scaly the scalp is or how oily the hair is. Washing the scalp can range from daily to even once a week, depending on your individual needs,” she adds.

Does your scalp need more specialised care? 

Even with a good scalp-care routine in place, there may be times when you’re especially prone to a drier, scalier scalp. “If your scalp does not respond to basic shampoos, look for one that contains pyrithione zinc, which has antibacterial and antifungal properties and helps to reduce scaling and skin irritation,” says Dr Mayekiso.

She says the following ingredients in hair products also provide benefits:

• Tar-based shampoos slow the rate that skin cells on your scalp die and flake off.
• Salicylic acid helps to eliminate scaling by dissociating the clumped skin cells. 
• Selenium sulphide shampoos have antifungal and anti-scaling properties.
​​​​​​​• Ketoconazole shampoos are designed to kill an overgrowth of fungi that increase scaling on the scalp. 

“Use these products as directed and rinse well after shampooing as they can irritate sensitive skin,” advises Dr Mayekiso.

Should you see an expert?

If, even after implementing the care routine described above, you still experience discomfort or issues with your scalp, you should consider seeing a dermatologist who can assess and treat your condition effectively. There are more advanced treatment options that could be prescribed by a dermatologist, if needed, so book an appointment if you notice these symptoms: 

​​​​​​​• A dry, itchy scalp that is painful, flaking and scabbing. 
​​​​​​​• Dry patches that extend beyond the hairline and other body parts. 
​​​​​​​• White or yellow scales, pustules or blistering (these could indicate an infection or that a severe inflammation has developed). 
​​​​​​​• Unexplained hair loss.
​​​​​​​• Worsening of any pre-existing skin condition of the scalp.

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