Dry Scalp Hair Treatment

There are many causes of dry scalp, which most commonly shows up as dandruff. However, dry scalp can also manifest as seborrhoeic eczema, which is a condition that, according to the National Eczema Society, causes redness, irritation and eventually, flaky scales that resemble dandruff. There are several effective treatments for dry scalp, some of which you can make in your home, some of which can be purchased in your local drug store or pharmacy, and some of which can only be obtained with a doctor's prescription.

Home Remedies

One effective home treatment for dry scalp is offered by beauty specialist Janice Cox in her book, "Natural Beauty at Home." According to Cox, for a dry flaky scalp, you can prepare a home remedy using 2 tbsp. jojoba oil and 1/4 tsp. tea tree oil. After combining these ingredients, apply to wet hair, leave on for 20 minutes, and then shampoo out. You can also use an apple cider vinegar rinse by applying two tbsp. of apple cider vinegar directly to your scalp, leaving it on for 15 minutes, then rinsing and shampooing.

Medicated Shampoos

Medicated shampoos are usually recommended for use on a daily basis to control symptoms of dry scalp. There are several different effective medicated shampoos, and the best way to find one that one works for you is through trial and error. According to WedMD, shampoos containing ketoconazole, such as Nizoral A-D, are available over-the-counter or with a prescription, depending on the strength. Other shampoos, such as Selsun Blue, which contains selenium oxide, or Neutrogena T/Gel, which contains a coal-tar preparation, are considered to be effective treatments for dandruff control and dry scalp, but they may not have the same effect for everyone.

Dietary Changes and Vitamin Supplements

Dietary changes can affect dandruff and dry scalp. Avoid alcohol, as this can exacerbate the causes of dry scalp. Furthermore, dietary supplements can be taken to treat and possibly prevent the appearance of dry scalp and dandruff. It is important to get enough of vitamins E, B6 and B12, selenium and zinc, and some studies, according to the BBC, state that flax seed oil can also be helpful. Also, some popular folk remedies suggest that black currant or evening primrose oil can also be taken as a supplement, as they contain an essential fatty acid that helps nails, skin and hair stay healthy.

Prescription Treatments

According to the National Psoriasis Foundation, if dry scalp is caused by psoriasis, your doctor may prescribe a topical treatment to control the symptoms of itching, flaking and redness. However, if you have signs of an infection, following a course of medication may be advised. Furthermore, if the symptoms are not severe, it is possible that your doctor may give you localized steroid injections to alleviate symptoms occurring due to scalp lesions.

Listerine

Many folk remedies suggest that rinsing with Listerine prior to shampooing can be a helpful way to eliminate or control dandruff and dry scalp. The recommendation is to rinse your scalp with Listerine before shampooing, providing that you do not have any cuts or lesions, as the alcohol in Listerine can cause stinging and further irritation.