Itching and flaking are common symptoms of dandruff, a skin condition that develops on the scalp in many individuals. This is often very easy to identify, but if you experience itching without any flaking of the skin, the cause may not be as easy to determine. Fortunately, most irritations of your scalp create identifiable marks that make them easier to treat.

Appearance

According to Family Doctor, a good deal can be learned by examining the appearance of your scalp. Red bumps are a likely development in a case where itching occurs without any flaking of the skin. Identify any red bumps present on the skin and determine why they might have developed. Also noticed whether the scalp is sporadically marked with bumps or dots, whether they occur in an isolated area or widespread, and whether they are limited only to the scalp.

Other Symptoms

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In addition to itching, you may also experience sensitivity on the head and tenderness to touch, according to Family Doctor. This can be very frustrating, since scratching to relieve the itching only causes other agitation. Observe whether you have changes elsewhere in the body, such as increased tendency to sneeze or swelling in the eyes or back of the throat.

Potential Causes

According to Family Doctor, there is a good chance your itching is caused from a bug bite or bug infestation, such as lice or mosquitoes. However, you may be suffering from hives due to an allergic reaction--if the hives are located solely on your scalp, you have probably encountered something topically that you are allergic to. If you have recently been outdoors, your itching could be the product of irritation from poison ivy or poison oak, according to the Mayo Clinic 1.

Treatment

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Use a calamine lotion or other anti-itch lotion to soothe the itching on the skin, according to Family Doctor 2. This is only a temporary treatment, but it will provide you relief. You can try washing your hair to eliminate irritants that may be caught in your hair, and if lice is the cause you can get a special shampoo to kill off the mites, according to the Mayo Clinic 13.

Prevention

Wearing a hat can guard you from many of the causes of itchiness on the scalp, particularly bug bites and interactions with things that might stimulate an allergic reaction from the body. You should also wash your hair thoroughly several times a week and avoid contact with other individuals that are dealing with a lice infestation in their hair. If you continue to suffer from itching of the scalp and can't identify the cause, the Mayo Clinic recommends visiting a doctor to have your scalp examined 1.