Itchy Scalp Remedies: Apple Cider Vinegar, Essential Oils & More

An extremely itchy scalp and neck cries out for treatment.  It can be SO embarrassing not to mention annoying.  We’re going to talk apple cider vinegar, essential oils to help fix it!

I really could itch my scalp all day.  I don’t create oil there.  I could go WEEKS without washing my hair (except I’d have to cut it off since it’d be so snarled).  I had tried T-gel but nothing seemed to work, now a combination of things seems to have it under control.

Itchy Scalp Treatment

Itchy Scalp at the nape of your neck

I tend to itch most at the bottom of my scalp and even down onto my neck (sometimes I get dry patches on my neck that looks like I have symmetrical hickies — and believe me, my OCD would want them symmetrical — but no, we didn’t make out that morning, it’s just itchy patches).  I have had a doctor check it out at work, they recommend hydro-cortisone and a thick lotion, which mostly works but I feel like that’s just putting something on top of it, not really fixing whatever my problem is.

Apple cider vinegar for itchy scalp.

I put apple cider vinegar (also known as ACV) in a tiny spray bottle and keep it in my shower.  When I first rinse my hair I spray it onto my scalp/neck.  I use it not as a fine mist, but as a stream at that point.  The spray bottle I bought shoots it really well and it gets right onto my scalp.  I then rub it around a little, and move onto other showering tasks.

I figure the longer it can stay on the better, but I often have kids knocking on my door — you know how it is.  I then quickly rinse it and then move on to conditioning (I don’t shampoo).

Sometimes I dilute it 50/50 with water and also add a few drops of tea tree oil.  That really helps.  I think it’s probably the best for an itchy scalp.

Essential Oil Pro tip:  I first used Doterra, but the MLM thing bugged me.  Now I use either Rocky Mountain Oils, or Jade Bloom.  I think Rocky Mountain is a bit superior, but JadeBloom is cheaper which is why I listed them here.

I have tried a few from Amazon and haven’t had great luck (including the Plant Therapy brand).  Just an FYI.  Oils are tricky, so be sure to use ones that are effective!  Ok, back to the spray:

Sometimes, It does burn a little, but I don’t mind that as I just hope it’s working.  It’s really helped.  I no longer feel like I could itchy my scalp for hours on end and I’m not constantly bugged by it.

I do it a couple of times each week, sometimes even when I don’t wash my hair I will spray my neck.

**Be careful of how you lean down afterward as it can run into your eyes, which I experienced and wouldn’t recommend.  Also be sure you don’t actually spray your eyes.  Sometimes some bounces off the wall into my poor eyeballs.  {sad face}

I’ve also started adding a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar to my water daily because I hear it helps keep you healthy.  I have no idea, but if it keeps the doctor away, I’m all for it! 🙂

Related Post:  Soap home remedy for restless leg (RLS)

Essential Oils for Itchy Scalp

After my daughter had Lice, I started to look into using tea tree oil more on my hair.

I made a little concoction in a dropper bottle.

• 1/2 bottle of fractionated coconut oil
• 1/4 tea tree oil (I usually put a bit more tea tree oil than I do lavender) — also known as melaleuca oil
• 1/4 lavender

I just take a full dropper and put drops on my scalp before I shower.  Sometimes I remember the night before, or sometimes just before I shower.

I massage it into the scalp as much as I can.

**Tea Tree Oil Stinks!  So, make sure you get it rinsed out well in the shower.

**Under NO circumstances should you put the oils directly on your scalp/neck.  I was super desperate last year and did this.  It burned my scalp and then I had flaking scalp for a while…. make sure you dilute it.

Related post: Using Vinegar as Fabric Softener

Sulfate-Free Conditioner helps with itchy scalp

I find that when I use a sulfate-free conditioner, it helps my scalp not itchy so much.

I am also very careful to make sure I rinse my neck well after I condition.  I think that perhaps some of my itchy nape was due to not rising my neck adequately.

I talk all about my current hair routine here.

Like this type of post (using household items to make life better)?  Don’t miss my essential oil blend that has saved us a ton!

Also, be sure to check out my other weird things that work in this series.

This post was originally written 2015 but has been updated.