A smelly scalp may be the result of poor personal hygiene. Infrequent and improper cleaning of the hair and scalp are the chief reasons behind the accumulation of dirt particles, excessive oil and dead skin cells on the scalp. Regular exposure to air pollutants and harsh chemicals and pollutants, coupled with excessive perspiration, can render the scalp susceptible to bacterial and fungal infections, as these microbes thrive in unclean, damp environments. All of these factors contribute to a foul smelling scalp.
The first step towards solving this problem, therefore, is to ensure that you wash your hair everyday thoroughly with water, using a mild herbal shampoo and conditioner every alternate day. This will help wash away dirt, oil and dead skin cells from the scalp, as well as prevent the growth of microbes at the roots of your hair. You should also drink plenty of water and homemade fruit juices every day in order to improve blood circulation in the scalp and supply essential nutrients to the hair follicles. This goes a long way improving the health of your hair and scalp. Let your hair dry out completely on its own after a shower before tying it up or putting on a cap or hat. Do not apply hair styling products or any other chemical agents on the scalp, as the strong chemicals present in these commercial products might cause further damage instead of improving the situation.
In addition to these general measures, you may find a few natural remedies particularly useful in treating a smelly scalp. Massage the roots of the hair with a mixture of essential oils like rosemary or lavender and the juice of a fresh lemon. Do this every alternate night before going to bed and wash your hair with a mild herbal shampoo and water the next morning. This will nourish the scalp as well as lend it a mild fragrance. Once a week, squeeze the juice of a lemon into a bowl of homemade yogurt and apply this mixture all over your scalp half an hour before shampooing your hair. Yogurt contains a kind of bacteria that help treat local infections and are therefore very useful in treating fungal growth on the scalp that might be responsible for the foul smell. Application of olive oil on the scalp and hair is also useful in helping the infected and damaged skin cells of the scalp heal naturally.
answered by M W