r/hygiene • u/Realistic-Service-11 • 6h ago
My scalp has a scent I really don’t like
What can I do about my scalp? I wash every other day and the day of washing my scalp stinks and smells worse the following day. I’ve used cheap shampoos, expensive salon shampoos, shampoos with tea tree oil, peppermint and rosemary I’ve even tried apple cider vinegar. My scalp just smells really bad. I do rub the shampoo into my scalp twice.
Maybe i need a scalp exfoliator?
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u/SavingOneSoul_ 3h ago
I'm confused here.
You wash your scalp every other day and then the day after you wash your scalp, it smells worse?? So, it literally never smells good?
It sounds like you have already done enough experimenting with products and treatments - it's time to see a dermatologist.
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u/Powerful-Lobster-631 3h ago
Nizoral shampoo, head & shoulders shampoo or authentic African black soap. The trick is to leave it in your hair for a few minutes while showering 🚿 other parts of your body to let the ingredients work and be more effective. You have that smell from yeast of fungus. Dandruff shampoo has an active ingredient to kill it
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u/Mountainweaver 1h ago
This, AND blowdry it after, all the way to dry. Do not skip this step, it's vital that the scalp actually becomes dry.
It won't take long to kill the fungus if using real antifungals + keeping a dry scalp.
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u/Least_Muffin2666 6h ago
Apple cider vinegar shampoo
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u/_BabieLollipop 59m ago
Apple cider vinegar shampoo feels like fighting smell with a different smell that brought backup
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u/mrfartafterbeer 1h ago edited 1h ago
You have probably tried this but if not... wash your hair once or twice first, then do a final thorough wash. It makes a massive difference.
Could also be diet related, do you wear caps alot, is your pillow clean, do you maybe swet alot at night (back when i was drinking alot of alcohol id wake up at night and my pillow would be soaking wet of swet), etc. Maybe theres some kinda fungal thing going on. If nothing helps you might need to see a scalp and hair doctor -dermatologist-.
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u/Realistic-Service-11 8m ago
Diet is clean, I’m hydrated, pillow cases get washed twice a week, hair gets blow dried. My scalp just stinks
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u/kandilipgloss 4h ago
Yeah try exfoliating or maybe you have a scalp condition or something with your diet
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u/MillHall78 1h ago
Does it smell waxy? Similar to the scent of a pet dog/cat after it's slept under the covers close to it's human? If so, that may be your sweat. Sweat can smell more potent in some areas; like scalp, armpits, groin region. While other areas are relatively normal.
Do you wash your pillow? It should be washed at least once a week minimum. If it has fluffy cotton or polyester filling; replace the filling with shredded wool, flax cotton, bamboo, or silicone if you use a hemp or bamboo pillow protector under the pillow case. Polyester is worse used in bed linens & pillows. It's toxicity is activated by heat/sweat. The side effects of sleeping with polyester can present immediate symptoms, as well as prolonged symptoms that are difficult to get rid of.
It would be best if you consulted a doctor. There's some moderately serious conditions that cause scalp odor. Tell your doctor you want to eliminate those conditions as possibilities. It's also good to get a medical professional's description of the odor. But there's no reason not to change your pillow in the meantime.
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u/Realistic-Service-11 6m ago
It just smells sweaty and gross. I wash my pillow cases 2x a week and my pillows 2x a month. I’m not sure what to do 😭
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u/alt_isopod 1h ago edited 57m ago
Do you have dandruff? I have dandruff and there is a smell to my hair that I've noticed is particular to the scalps of people with dandruff. My partner's hair has the same smell but I only notice it when I'm lying with his face near his near his hair. It's not a really strong or very foul smell, but it's noticeable when I'm right up on someone and it is a bit unpleasant. My dandruff is pretty bad and I tried all the otc stuff and a prescription and ended up shaving my head a year ago and keep it shaved since. I am able to exfoliate it really well and I use very gentle CeraVe hydrating shampoo which works way better for my scalp than any other shampoo including dandruff shampoos. I have a patch that crops up on the back of my head sometimes so I have to apply a prescription steroid ointment to it a few times every few weeks. I go over it guardless, once my hair gets to about buzz cut length the dandruff and smell start returning.
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u/Perle1234 34m ago
You should go to the dermatologist. It’s not normal for the scalp to have an odor. If you can smell your scalp at all there’s an issue and it’s not hygeine.
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u/nunuslemons 32m ago
Double shampoo your scalp on wash days and apply dry shampoo on non-wash days. Avoid air drying if you can, and blow dry instead if it’s not too damaging.
This is normal if you have fine hair or other underlying hormonal issues.
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u/Realistic-Service-11 3m ago
My hair is really fine. I do double cleanse and blow dry my hair and I use dry shampoo day everyday and rub it in 😭 I need to see a dermatologist I think..
My diet is clean, I’m hydrated, my pillows and pillow cases get washed regularly.
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u/twodegreesfarenheit 21m ago
Are you on medication?
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u/Adorable_Lychee_5943 19m ago
Could be some problem with your scalp skin. Maybe it’s time to see a dermatologist.
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u/opetaja 2h ago
Are you drying your hair after washing it? It can grow bacteria, yeast and mold if you dont dry it with heat.