Having an itchy scalp at night can keep you from sleeping well, making you tired the next day. That’s bad for your overall health and quality of life, especially if it’s a chronic problem.

This article explains the potential causes of an itchy scalp at night plus how you can treat and prevent it.

Why Scalp Itch Is Worse at Night

Having an itchy scalp at night is called nocturnal pruritus. This condition can be acute (lasting a few day or weeks) or chronic (lasting longer than six weeks).

Research suggests many physical reasons that skin irritation can get worse at night:

  • Changes in body temperature: During sleep, natural fluctuations in skin temperature may be associated with increased itch intensity.
  • Hormone fluctuations: At night, your level of anti-inflammatory hormones (corticosteroids) naturally falls, which may exacerbate itchiness.
  • Sweating: In the evening, you have more trans-epidermal water loss (water passing through the outermost layer of skin and evaporating). This can make your skin dry and itchy.

It may also be that your itchiness is just as bad during the day, but you’re more distracted so you just notice it more at night.

Common Skin Conditions That Trigger Scalp Itchiness

Having an itchy scalp at night may be caused by several skin conditions. These include:

  • Hives: Inflammatory reaction that causes raised red welts
  • Atopic dermatitis (eczema): Inflammatory skin condition that causes scaly, inflamed, itchy skin
  • Psoriasis: An autoimmune disorder that causes inflamed scaly patches of skin (plaques)
  • Advanced age pruritus: Dry, itchy skin in elderly people due to age-related factors
  • Seborrheic dermatitis (dandruff): Flaky, itchy scalp condition caused by a fungus
  • Head lice: Contagious parasite common in school-age children
  • Bug bite or sting: From mosquitos, bees, or other bugs

The most common causes of a chronically itchy scalp at night are psoriasis and atopic dermatitis.

Studies show one of the biggest complaints of people with atopic dermatitis is a chronic scalp itch that leads to poor sleep and prolonged fatigue.

Psoriasis can flare up due to changes in diet, environment, or stress. When scalp itchiness disrupts sleep, it can increase stress, which in turn can exacerbate a psoriasis flare.

If you have psoriasis, you may also have thermodysregulation (abnormal or exaggerated changes in body temperature), which can intensify an itchy scalp at night.

Other Conditions That Cause Itchy Scalp

Several health conditions can cause the scalp to itch at night. They include:

  • Thyroid problems
  • Kidney or liver disease
  • Iron deficiency anemia
  • Lymphoma or leukemia
  • Diabetes
  • Depression
  • Shingles
  • Stress
  • Schizophrenia
  • Allergies, such as a reaction to hair care products
  • Multiple sclerosis

Home Remedies for an Itchy Scalp

You can try several home remedies for an itchy scalp at night. However, you need to know why your scalp itches in order to find the right treatment. Your healthcare provider can give you a diagnosis and point you toward the best treatments.

Always check with your healthcare provider before trying any home remedies to be sure you’re using them safely.

When to See a Healthcare Provider

Make an appointment with your healthcare provider if:

  • You have persistent nighttime scalp itchinessAn itching scalp is accompanied by a rashYou have sores or other lesionsYou were bitten or stung

They can help you understand why your scalp is itching and give you proper treatment options to reduce or eliminate the itch.

Preventing an Itchy Scalp at Night

To reduce your likelihood of an itchy scalp at night, you can try these recommendations from sleep experts:

  • Make sure your sheets and pillowcases are clean and made of material that won’t trigger itching or irritation.Consider running a humidifier near your bed. This infuses the air with moisture, which may reduce itchiness.Keep your room at around 65 F. Cooler sleeping temperatures have been shown to help with the body’s temperature regulation.

Summary

Having an itchy scalp is a frustrating condition that can impair sleep and lead to additional health issues if left untreated. Common causes include dandruff, eczema, psoriasis, and lice.

It’s important to contact your healthcare provider to get a proper diagnosis and treatments. Some home remedies, such as anti-dandruff shampoos, medicated lice treatments, and moisturizing oils, may offer some relief.

A Word From Verywell

An itchy scalp at night can have a negative impact on your quality of life. The lack of sleep caused by this condition can lead to more problems down the line, so it’s important to get proper treatment as soon as possible.

Fortunately, you can get back to sleeping well with proper treatment. The first step to feeling better is seeing your healthcare provider. Once you know why you have an itchy scalp at night, you can find the right treatments.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • How often should you wash your hair if you have an itchy scalp at night?
  • Your scalp may be itchy because it’s dry. To allow natural moisturizing oils to build up, some experts recommend washing your hair every other day, not daily.However, for some causes of itchy scalp, your healthcare provider may prescribe a shampoo that’s requires more frequent washing.
  • When should I be concerned about my itchy scalp at night?
  • You should be concerned if the itching is persistent, accompanied by a rash, or associated with bug bites or lice. If you have a known skin condition and can’t find relief, contact your healthcare provider.

Your scalp may be itchy because it’s dry. To allow natural moisturizing oils to build up, some experts recommend washing your hair every other day, not daily.

You should be concerned if the itching is persistent, accompanied by a rash, or associated with bug bites or lice. If you have a known skin condition and can’t find relief, contact your healthcare provider.

  • Lavery MJ, Stull C, Kinney MO, Yosipovitch G. Nocturnal pruritus: the battle for a peaceful night’s sleep. Int J Mol Sci. 2016;17(3):425. doi:10.3390/ijms17030425

  • American Academy of Dermatology Association. 10 reasons your scalp itches and how to get relief.

  • Di Campli E, Di Bartolomeo S, Delli Pizzi P, et al. Activity of tea tree oil and nerolidol alone or in combination against Pediculus capitis (head lice) and its eggs. Parasitol Res. 2012;111(5):1985-1992. doi:10.1007/s00436-012-3045-0

By Yvelette Stines

Yvelette Stines, MS, MEd, is an author, writer, and communications specialist specializing in health and wellness.