Find out why your scalp feels heavy and itchy, and what you can do to prevent. Summer is harsh and overwhelming. When you step outside, the brutal sun falls directly on your scalp, leaving it feeling sticky, itchy, and uncomfortable. Constant sweating can make the scalp feel heavy, while dandruff and excess oil buildup only add to the trouble.ALSO READ: Face looking dull or tired? Bengaluru dermatologist shares tips to keep skin radiant: ‘Eat low-salt diet like…’Itchy scalp is common in summer season. (Picture credit: Unsplash)We asked Dr Gaurav Garg, founder and director of Dermalife Skin and Hair Clinic, New Delhi, how one can manage an oily, itchy scalp during summer and prevent common seasonal scalp problems like dandruff and excess buildup. He observed that scalp-related problems in summer are very common.Why does your scalp itch in summer?How does itchy scalp come to be? It is a common struggle during summer, and environmental factors ranging from humidity to high temperatures all contribute to scalp itchiness.“From little pockets in your scalp, oil flows out naturally to protect skin and strands alike. Heat turns up- Those spots start working faster. Moisture seeps through pores at the same time, mixing with floating dirt particles. Layers build slowly over the surface of the head. That mix leaves hair feeling heavy, traps debris in pores, brings discomfort,” the dermatologist described why your scalp may feel weighed down, and your hair may become incredibly greasy.Dr Garg also mentioned that moist air adds to the trouble by allowing fungus to spread quietly beneath the surface. This is often followed by itchiness and flakes that mimic dandruff.What should you do to prevent?Wear a scarf to avoid direct sun exposure. (Picture credit: Freepik)Here are some of the tips from the dermatologist on how to prevent scalp-related problems during summer:1. Prioritise scalp hygieneUse gentle shampoo two or three days each week to remove excess oil, sweat, salt and dirt buildup from the scalp.2. Avoid heavy styling productsSkip thick goops or greasy lotions meant for shaping hair - those tend to pile up faster when it's warm.3. Avoid tying damp hair too tightlyWhen strands are damp or slick with perspiration, pulling them back too tightly might cause discomfort and create conditions that worsen irritation beneath the surface.4. Do not leave sweat sitting on the scalp for longAfter excessive sweating, lightly rinse the scalp or allow it to air dry properly to reduce moisture buildup and potential fungal growth.5. Protect your scalp from direct sun exposureWearing a cap, scarf or cloth covering outdoors can help shield the scalp from harsh sunlight and heat.6. Stay hydrated and maintain a dietProper hydration helps regulate the body and may support overall scalp health. Eat nutritious food as well.Lastly, the doctor advised keeping an eye out for persistent irritation, redness, or heavy scaling. If these symptoms appear, one should consult a doctor to prevent the condition from worsening.Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.Adrija Dey’s proclivity for observation fuels her storytelling instinct. As a lifestyle journalist, she crafts compelling, relatable narratives across diverse touchpoints of the human experience, including wellness, mental health, relationships, interior design, home decor, food, travel, and fashion that gently nudge readers toward living a little better. For her, stories exist in flesh and bones, carried by human vessels and shaped through everyday endeavours. It is the small stories we live and share that make us human. After all, humans and their lores are the most natural and raw repositories of stories, and uncovering them, for her, is akin to peeling an orange under a winter afternoon sun. Always up for a chat, she believes the best stories come from unfiltered yapping, where "too much information" is kind of the point. A graduate of Indraprastha College for Women, University of Delhi, and an alumna of the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), Delhi, Adrija spends her idle hours cocooned with herbal tea and a gripping thriller, scribbling inner monologues she loosely calls poetic pieces, often with her succulents in attendance. On lazier days, she can be found binge-watching, for the nth time, one from her comfort-show holy trinity: The Office (US), Brooklyn Nine-Nine, or Modern Family. Dancing by herself to her peppy playlists, however, is an everyday ritual she swears by religiously.Read MoreDandruffHair Care OnlineHair CareCatch every big hit, every wicket with Crick-it, a one stop destination for Live Scores, Match Stats, Quizzes, Polls & much more. Explore now!.Catch your daily dose of Fashion, Taylor Swift, Health, Festivals, Travel, Relationship, Recipe and all the other Latest Lifestyle News on Hindustan Times Website and APPs.See Less