I use lotions in the winter for my dry arms and legs, but what do I do when my scalp gets dry and itchy?

A:

It’s easy enough to cure chapped hands and dry elbows with a little extra moisturizing, but keeping the skin on your scalp healthy can be trickier. In harsh winter months, there’s less humidity in the air, the heat inside our homes and offices gets cranked up, and we tend to wash our hair less often. All of these factors contribute to the buildup of natural oils on the scalp, which inflames the skin and causes itchiness, dryness and flaking.

To get your scalp back in balance, wash your hair every day with a shampoo specifically formulated to help dandruff, or one containing tea tree oil (a natural antiseptic). If the dryness hasn’t improved after a few weeks, see a dermatologist. A specialist will make sure there’s nothing more going on and can give you a stronger prescription shampoo to kick the flakes for good.