Because of head or hair care practices, underlying medical issues, or both, a stinky scalp might appear.
When the skin on top of your head develops an unpleasant odor, this condition is known as stinky scalp, also known as smelly hair syndrome. Your hair may continue to smell after washing. Numerous medical problems might present with smelly scalp symptoms. It may also be the outcome of how you care for your hair.
Your ability to socialize and your image and self-esteem may be negatively impacted by an offensive scalp and hair. Moreover, you may restore the health of your scalp with a few consistent habits and the appropriate products. Your scalp can stay clean and your hair can avoid damage with proper oiling, cleaning, and conditioning.
Causes a smelly scalp
Hair products
Some consumers just consider the aroma when making their hair care purchases, while others pay more attention to the targeted outcomes.
Even sweet-smelling products, meanwhile, might contribute to an oil buildup on your scalp if they aren’t thoroughly rinsed out. That could result in unpleasant smells.
Your diet
Body odor may be brought on by your diet or dietary changes. For instance, if you’re a voracious meat eater, some studies indicates that all that meat may have an impact on how you (and maybe your scalp) smell to others.Psoriasis
If you have scalp psoriasis, your scalp may be covered with tiny scales or a network of hard, crusty plaques. You might be tempted to put off cleaning the afflicted region, but doing so could cause an odor to develop as oil and skin cells accumulate.
According to research, 7 to 26% of individuals with psoriasis go on to develop psoriatic arthritis. To prevent or postpone the onset of potential irreparable joint degeneration, therapy is necessary.
Pollution
Pollution, especially airborne particulate matter like soot or smoke, is damaging to our lungs, as we tend to believe.
However, being exposed to ambient scents might result in a variety of symptoms, such as nausea and headaches. Additionally, these particles might stick to your hair and scalp, giving it an unpleasant odor.
Hormonal changes
Your hair and scalp are impacted by hormonal fluctuations. For instance, during menopause, many women experience hair thinning or even hair loss.
It’s possible for your skin’s glands, particularly those on your scalp, to produce too much oil if your body is overproducing androgen.
Fungal infection
A fungus that dwells on the skin may be the cause of an odorous scalp. This fungus can lead to inflammatory conditions including eczema, dandruff, and folliculitis.Under- or over-washing
Delaying a thorough scrub allows oils, or sebum, to accumulate on your scalp. Your scalp and even your hair may begin to smell slightly unpleasant due to this sebum.Excessive sweating
Your scalp may persuade you to modify your behavior if you often avoid the post-workout shower despite building up a sweat in the gym.
You could start to smell something unpleasant when the germs on your scalp combine with the accumulation of perspiration. Hyperhidrosis, or excessive perspiration, might exacerbate it.
Seborrheic dermatitis
The name of this widespread skin condition refers to the oil that your sebaceous glands secrete.
It is believed that an overpopulation of a natural yeast that exists on our bodies is what causes seborrheic dermatitis. This results in dry, yellowish, scaly spots on the scalp, and it may also be the reason why the scalp smells.
Home remedies
Onion Juice
The added sulfur in onion juice is well known for promoting healthy, thick hair. However, it also excels as one of the most practical and cost-effective treatments for odorous scalp.
2 teaspoons of lemon juice and 3 teaspoons of onion juice should be taken. Blend them. Apply it evenly to your hair and scalp. Give it 30 minutes to rest. Then, give it a clean water rinse.
Camphor
The antibacterial properties of camphor will stimulate blood flow and serve as a counterirritant if your scalp is stinky and itching.
Crush two pills of camphor. Add 1/2 cup of coconut oil to the mixture. Once dissolved, combine them. After applying the mixture to your scalp, wait 30 minutes. as usual, shampoo.
Aloe Vera
It’s time to put your aloe vera plant to work if you have one at home. Its antimicrobial components are appropriate for treating stinky scalp odors and for adding smoothness.
Take a leaf from the plant. Scoop the leaf’s gel out. After that, properly massage it into your hair. After some time, rinse.
Grapeseed Fruit Extract
Grape seed oil may be extracted by physically pressing the seeds. The traditional method of making grapeseed fruit extract at home still works, but it takes a very long time and involves the addition of glycerin and natural acids. You may look it up online if making the oil at yourself is too time-consuming.
Use your usual shampoo and 5 drops of grapeseed oil. Massage your scalp after combining the oil and shampoo. Rinse it off with fresh water after a time. Keep in mind not to apply the oil to the scalp directly.
Baking Soda
To bake your favorite cakes, you can use baking soda. However, its antimicrobial characteristics effectively battle the smelly scalp.
Add a half-cup of water and one spoonful of baking soda. Blend them. Wash your hair with a gentle cleaner after that. Use the mixture to rinse. Finally, give your hair a simple water wash.
Tomato Juice
One of the best household items with antibacterial characteristics to eliminate microorganisms on your scalp is this one.
Take 1 tomato, medium-sized. In a basin, squeeze the pulp. Using the pulp, massage your scalp. Let it rest for 30 minutes after that. Rinse thoroughly with water and a cleaner.
MIMI (Multi ion mask insert)
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Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is really your savior if you have germs growing on your scalp.
2 cups of water and 1/2 cup of apple cider vinegar should be used. Blend them. Next, use a gentle cleaner to wash your hair. After that, use this combination to rinse your hair. Clean up with simple water at the end.
Garlic Oil
Garlic has sulfur compounds that have antifungal qualities that help it combat the bacteria that causes stinking scalp.
Take 5 garlic cloves or 2 teaspoons of Alps Goodness Essential Garlic Oil. If you opt for the cloves, smash them beforehand. After a brief period of heating, filter the mixture, and then leave the combination—or Alps oil—on your scalp and hair for 30 minutes. Use your shampoo to rinse.
Lemon Juice
Lemon is frequently used to treat dandruff and also aids in fending off microorganisms that give your scalp a stinging odor.
Add 2 cups of warm water and 2 tablespoons of lemon juice. Blend them. After that, use a gentle cleaner to wash your hair. Finally, rinse with fresh water after rinsing your hair with lemon juice.
Tea Tree Oil
The antibacterial properties of tea tree oil help to eliminate microorganisms that produce odors. Additionally, the soothing aroma of the oil makes your hair fresh and fragrant.
2 tablespoons of almond oil and 6 drops of tea tree oil should be used. Combine the two. Apply the mixture to your hair and scalp after that. After massaging it, wait 30 minutes. Finally, give yourself a shampoo rinse.
Smelly scalp treatment
You should consult a doctor if over-the-counter treatments don’t work. They might be able to suggest a medical course of action depending on the underlying problem. For instance, you can mistakenly believe you have dandruff when you actually have seborrheic dermatitis.
To combat the underlying cause of the disease, a doctor may advise an oral antifungal medicine, a medicated shampoo, or an antifungal lotion for your scalp.
If Malassezia is the culprit, the doctor may advise using a specific kind of anti-dandruff shampoo that contains pyrithione zinc, which is thought to be effective in treating the condition.
Oral and topical medicines are among the best treatments for scalp psoriasis. However, a lot of them need a prescription.
When to see a doctor
Make an appointment to visit a doctor if none of the methods or treatments you’ve tried have succeeded in lessening or getting rid of the scent.
They may also suggest additional treatment after doing a more thorough evaluation of any potentially more significant underlying issues.
