DD(14) itchy scalp

[LittleEsme]

Help!
DD has terribly itchy scalp and often scratches it sore. On close inspection, there's no skin breakage ever, no dandruff as such, no dermatology problems that are obvious to me. Her scalp looks pink and healthy. She is however a red-head with sensitive skin everywhere.

We've tried high street stuff (H&S, other chemist shampoo) but it either doesn't work or it leaves her hair not looking great.

Would anyone recommend SLS and Paraben free stuff? Would it help?

Is she otherwise healthy? It can be a sign of diabetes. Go to the Gp...see a dermatologist.

Body Shop Ginger Shampoo is great for itchy scalps.

No nasties in it although a lot of people are boycotting them due to their comments about JKR.

It's very common amongst us red heads sadly. I no longer buy from The Body Shop since their appalling behaviour towards JKR, but that shampoo does work. I use Gruum instead and that works too. Also Philip Kingsley do a whole range of products. They are really effective, but expensive.

Faith in Nature is good for SLS and silicone free. Both irritate my scalp making it itchy and flaky. Sometimes mineral oil is an irritant.

Just be aware when you switch to SLS and Silicone free your hair can take a while to adapt.
I often do a good glug of vinegar in tepid water as a final rinse to soothe scalp and make hair shiny.
There are lots of sites showing products you can buy in the UK.

Maybe try shampoo for dreadlocks? I have dreadlocks and get an itchy scalp sometimes and the shampoos are amazing for soothing and cleaning my locs, residue free!

My daughter and I have the same condition. Since using the body shop ginger shampoo, it has stopped our itchy scalps.

Buy some Nizoral shampoo. It is about 7 quid for a small bottle but my experience was that it will solve the problem. Can buy from Chemists or big supermarkets.

My 9 yo dd had something similar, and the body shop ginger shampoo and conditioner was very soothing

Could it be headline?

Head lice

Forgot about Nizoral, that worked for me too. Lots of small companies do natural solid soap bars, might also be with a look. I'd definitely do that over giving the Body Shop any more of my money.

I have the same issue with itchy scalp and I use either neutrogena T- gel shampoo or poly tar shampoo. Both work well and I'm afraid nothing but daily washing seems to bring relief

Gosh, I didn't realise there was shampoo for dreadlocks!

Great suggestions here, thank you all. I've checked thoroughly for nuts and she's utterly free of them (thankfully).

I'm torn re Ginger Shampoo - I'm a massive JKR fan - even more so recently so I've been boycotting.

Will give the other suggestions a go before resorting to the Body Shop.

Thanks all.

@LittleEsme I have super sensitive skin and dermatitis on my scalp. At the moment I'm using Giovanni tea tree triple treat. I buy it on amazon.
When I saw a dermatologist he advised against all of the tar shampoos as they can cause more sensitivity. On his advice I wore those thin cotton gloves at night which sounds silly, but it stopped me scratching in my sleep and transferring oil from my fingers to the scalp (which can then make it greasy and irritated).
I hope you get it sorted.

The best itchy/flaky scalp shampoo I've used is Philip Kingsley. Pricy but definitely works for me: www.philipkingsley.co.uk/philip-kingsley-flaky-itchy-scalp-shampoo.html

Child's Farm strawberry & mint baby shampoo did the trick for DD's itchy scalp.

I've just bought DD Expert shampoo from Boots, with matching conditioner and an extra soothing gloop. It seems, a few days in, to be helping and Mr Sensitive DH is reporting success too

Thanks everyone. I'll definitely work through these suggestions. It drives her to distraction!

How long should I give each product, do you think? 1 wash? A few?

I have used Eucerin Dermo Capillaire Calming Scalp Treatment on both my children’s sensitive, itchy scalps. Instant relief. Apply to dry hair directly on scalp through a nozzle.

E45 shampoo !

I'd say at least two but ideally three washes.
One to strip off the previous. One to try it without interference and one to make sure it's not an irritant.
Don't throw styling/holding products into the mix.

A second vote for Eucerin here - I developed this condition myself recently when I started the menopause. I was a red head as a child so maybe there is a link. Have to be very careful now with all skin and body products as I’ve become very sensitive and get a reaction very quickly. Eucerine products are one of the best.

I thought my daughter had a sensitive scalp and tried a different shampoo. (I'd had a good look and there were no signs of headlice - she'd had headlice before, so I knew what the nits looked like.)

The different shampoo didn't work. Still no signs of headlice. I eventually tried actually combing through her hair with conditioner and a Nitty Gritty comb and... bugger me, there they were. Stealth headlice.

Just wanted to mention the possibility.