For the last week my scalp has been itching like CRAZY! I don't have a dry  scalp generaly nor do I have dandruf. I have only been washing about twice a week for about 6 months ( I used to wash three times a week). My wash routine is a small amount of shampoo/conditioner (I use Philosophy) in the scalp then rinse, then a larger amount massage really well in the scalp pushed through the length then rinse. I don't condition the ends ( I plan on trying soon). Also, it being summer I have been swimming a bit (I just recently found out how to protect my locks before going swimming, haven't done it yet) and after swimming all I do, if it isn't time for normal wash, is rinse with water real good. So my question is could I not be cleansing my scalp good enough after swimming, that is why it is itching? Any input would be great, cause this itching bites!

Are you conditioning your scalp? Some people don't do well if the scalp is conditioned. Some people do. You could try switching what you do, just to see. Typically, people shampoo the scalp and let the suds rinse down towards the ends, then the conditioner would be applied to ONLY the length and the ends.

Some conditioners can also be irritating to the scalp if it contains excessive fragrance or polymers (anything in a three-letter abbreviation such as PVP, CVP, or anything ending in "cone", "conol", or "siloxane").

HTH :)
Anais

edited to add: How do you exfoliate? Sometimes itching can result from buildup of dead skin on the scalp. Have you tried a brown sugar scrub?

Wow, I didn't know you needed to exfoliate the scalp, but it does make sense. How and where do you get such stuff? Thanks!

Click on Anais' Medusa's Lair - right by her signature - she has great descriptions of manual and product exfoliation.

Rinsing if you can't wash is always good, even necessary to help avoid problems ...g

I don't know this from personal experience, just from my sister-in-law...her scalp was itching and she went to the doctor.  It turned out to be a yeast infection that was causing it.

Christiana is right - a person would resort to exfoliation AFTER ruling out medical conditions. If you have any suspicion about your scalp (e.g. weird color, odor, large scabs, etc... need I say more) get it checked out.

Best wishes, SittyKitty :)

Anais

That seems really strange*actually beyond strange*but I now nothing is impossible. A yeast infection, really? Was it in her scalp or (I'll just say) elsewhere and effected her scalp? That's kind of freaky ???Was your friend as freaked out as I am for her ????