There are a variety of products available at drugstores and beauty supply stores to help control dandruff and reduce itch, inflammation, excess oil production, and other symptoms associated with scalp conditions.
Sometimes a scalp condition can occur because of a specific allergic reaction to an ingredient in one of the hair products you are using. Use a process of elimination and stop using products you use repeatedly one at a time to pinpoint which product could be responsible.
When you are searching for a product to help treat your dandruff problem, make sure you know what ingredients will help control your symptoms.
Antiseptics
Antiseptics prevent infection. In anti-dandruff shampoos they are used to help retard or stop the growth of fungus and yeast associated with dandruff and severe cases of scaly problems like seborrheic dermatitis and psoriasis.
Examples of antiseptics found in shampoos to treat dandruff are selenium sulfide, salicylic acid, pyrithione zinc, sulphur iodine, ketoconazole, and hydrogen peroxide.
Shampoos with antiseptic ingredients:
- Selsun Blue Dandruff Shampoo for Itchy Dry Scalp
- Head and Shoulders Green Apple Shampoo
- Mizani Scalp Care Shampoo
- Nizoral A-D Ketoconazole Anti-Dandruff Shampoo
- DHS Zinc Shampoo
Antipruritic
According to Cleveland Clinic, “pruritus or itch is defined as an unpleasant sensation of the skin that provokes the urge to scratch.” Many people who suffer with scalp problems complain of having an itchy scalp. It is recommended to avoid scratching the scalp so your scalp will not be inflamed or get infected. An antipruritic can help soothe the scalp and reduce the need to itch. They are found in shampoos, lotions, creams, and lotions for the scalp. An antipruritic leaves the scalp feeling cool. Camphor, coal tar, menthol, and eucalyptus are all antipruritic.
- Head & Shoulders Itchy Scalp Care with Eucalyptus Dandruff Shampoo has pyrithione zinc to reduce flakes and eucalyptus to soothe your scalp and reduce itching.
- Therapeutic Denorex Maximum Itch Relief has 1.8% coal tar and 1.5% menthol to relieve constant itchy scalp. It is a shampoo and conditioner in one.
- Scalpicin Maximum Strength Liquid Scalp Itch Treatment claims to help “temporarily relieve itching associated with minor skin irritation and rashes due to seborrheic dermatitis, psoriasis and eczema.” Scalpicin has 1% hydrocortisone alcohol to reduce itching, glycerin to moisturize a dry, tight scalp and help soften flakes, and menthyl lactate, which is a derivative of menthol used as a cooling agent in hair and skin care products.
- Selsun Blue Scalp Itch Treatment has 1% hydrocortisone to combat itch and aloe barbadensis leaf Juice to soothe the scalp.
Keratolytics
Keratolytics aid in the normal desquamation process of the skin. Desquamation is the natural process of skin shedding of the epidermis. When this natural process takes place at a rapid rate like psoriasis, coal tar, sulphur, and salicylic acid can help with the process of flake removal from the hair and scalp.
- T/Sal Scalp Therapeutic Scalp Build up Control has 3% salicylic acid and is to be used as the first step of flake removal. This product helps to loosen sticky scales on the scalp.
- Extra Strength Denorex has 3% salicylic acid to help control buildup on the scalp and remove scales from dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis. Extra Strength Denorex helps reduce itching. This product is a shampoo and conditioner in one.
- MG217 Therapeutic Coal Tar Scalp Treatment has 3% coal tar. Therapeutic Coal Tar Scalp Treatment is designed for psoriasis and seborrheic dermatitis. This product helps remove stubborn scales and relieves itch by moisturizing the scalp. Coal tar helps to slow down cell reproduction.
- T/Gel® Therapeutic Shampoo – Stubborn Itch has 0.5% coal tar to help remove flakes and menthol to reduce itch and soothe the scalp.
