Do you regularly feel itching sensation on your forehead? Of course, you must be worried as you have heard that ‘itching makes things worse’. When you realized about this itching sensation in the first place, you must have thought that your skin has gone dry. You need not worry. The itchy forehead is a problem faced by a lot of people and it does not last long. It will start with a little itch, rise to an irresistible irritation and when the inflammation will calm down, the itch will go away. However, it is not a serious health issue, but it should not be ignored. Over a period of time, you may notice redness, rashes, dryness, scaling or little red bumps. Chances are that you might feel a bit of temperature as well. Let us learn about some of the causes of an itchy forehead.
CAUSES OF ITCHY FOREHEAD
1. Allergy
Most of the time, allergy is the reason behind an itchy forehead. They can occur as a result of the season change, or by coming in contact with some residual irritant. Even atopic and chemical dermatitis is very common. Chemical dermatitis is when an individual comes in touch with a chemical or product to which he is allergic. Atopic dermatitis which is also known as eczema is very common amongst children.
2. Headwear
Headgears include helmet, head scarves, headbands, hats etc. which are generally for covering the head but also cover a part of the forehead. When people wear headgears for a long duration of time, the dirt, heat, and sweat come in constant touch with the skin causing contact dermatitis. Make sure that whatever headgear you wear is cleaned time to time and you remove them at regular intervals to let the air pass by.
3. Dry Skin
Even dry skin or acne can cause an itchy forehead. You must apply a non-irritating moisturiser always at least twice a day on your dry skin.
4. Hair and Skin Care Products
Skin care products which you use on a daily basis like moisturizer or sunscreen might not suit your skin sometimes; therefore, you should first learn what will suit your skin the best before using it regularly. Facial creams, hair styling gels or any other cosmetic product should be chosen with full care.
5. Stress
Stress is a problem which can be reflected anywhere on your skin. Most of the times, your face and neck are the most prone areas for reflecting stress. Even anxiety or psychological disorder can cause rashes or irritation on the forehead.
TOP 5 REMEDIES FOR ITCHY FOREHEAD
After learning about the causes of an itchy forehead, let us have a look at some of the remedies for itchy forehead:
1. Warm olive oil
Application of warm olive oil is an effective home remedy to relieve the forehead itching. Olive oil helps to clear the itchy crusts and scales on the surface of the skin. Read here to learn more about the benefits of olive oil for total scalp treatment https://www.theolivetap.com/blog/olive-oil-for-a-total-scalp-treatment/
Directions to use
- Take some olive oil in bowel and make it lukewarm.
- Use your fingers to massage it on your skin.
- Leave it for several hours then wash it off with a shampoo, which is free of silicone and sulphate.
2. Colloidal oatmeal
Colloidal oatmeal is a wonderful ingredient for itchy and several other inflamed skin conditions. When oatmeal dissolved in water it is called colloidal oatmeal. Being packed with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, it works effectively to lessen the skin irritation. It contains avenacins compounds and saponins, which possess the antifungal properties and cleansing properties respectively. Plus, Vitamin E found in colloidal oatmeal has anti-inflammatory action. The good part is one can easily make colloidal oatmeal at home.
Directions to use
- Boil 2 cups of water in a steel container.
- When it’s boiling, add the handful of colloidal oatmeal, reduce the heat and keep stirring until it turns viscous.
- Turn off the heat and let it cool down.
- Strain the oatmeal using a muslin cloth to collect the thick liquid.
- Your colloidal oatmeal is ready to use.
- Wet your scalp and apply the colloidal oatmeal solution.
- Leave it for 1-2 minutes then rinse off thoroughly with water.
3. Apple cider vinegar
Antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antifungal properties of apple cider vinegar make it an effective home remedy for itchy forehead. National Psoriasis Foundation (NPF) has also suggested the efficacy of apple cider vinegar in relieving an itchy scalp.
Important Note – Use of apple cider vinegar may cause burning sensation therefore, people with cracked and bleeding skin should avoid using it.
Directions to use
- Dilute the vinegar in warm water.
- Shampoo your hair with a silicone and sulphate free shampoo.
- Then after shampoo rinse your hair with diluted apple cider vinegar.
4. Peppermint oil
Peppermint oil is packed with antimicrobial, insecticidal, pesticidal, analgesic, anesthetic, vasodilating (widening of blood vessels), vasoconstricting (narrowing of the blood vessels), and anti-inflammatory properties. Use of this oil is quite effective to resolve several hair problems such as dryness, itching, or other scalp problems. The menthol in peppermint oil is the major ingredient that is responsible for relieving itching. Plus, it also creates a cooling effect on the skin.
Directions to use
- It is always important to dilute essential oils.
- Add a few drops of the Peppermint oil to your shampoo and apply it to your scalp.
- Rinse it off thoroughly with lukewarm water.
5. Baking soda
Several researches suggest that antibacterial and antifungal properties of baking soda kill harmful microbial infections that can cause scalp infection, hair fall and itchiness. It helps to neutralizes the pH of the scalp thereby soothes the skin.
Directions to use
- Mix 2-3 tablespoons of baking soda in water to make a paste.
- Apply this paste on the scalp.
- Leave it for 10 to 15 minutes.
- Rinse it off with water.
ADDITIONAL TIPS
- Wash your face with cold water
- Keep your sanitary separate for personal use
- Use ice packs to calm down the inflammation
- Apply non-irritating moisturizer and a gentle face wash
- Avoid hair care products
- Use aloe vera gel
- Avoid headgear for a long duration
- Do not share your hair combs and other personal items
- Apply a non-irritating sunscreen before going out.
