Remember, dry scalp rarely causes redness, swelling, or soreness. If your head feels like a sunburn or has patches of thick, silvery scales, stop guessing and see a doc. That could be psoriasis, which is a whole different ballgame (and not a fun one).
Also, listen to your shampoo. If you’re using a clarifying shampoo that promises to strip every molecule of oil from your hair? Yeah, that’s a one-way ticket to Dry Scalp City. Population: your itchy head.
Quick summary in your brain: dry scalp = small, dry flakes, mild itch, dry air trigger, and responds to moisturizing. Dandruff = greasy, yellow flakes, intense itch, oily scalp, and fights back with medicated shampoo.
