As if leg cramps, a sore back and nausea weren't enough, some women experience a dry, scaly scalp during pregnancy. This condition may be from changes in hormone levels, or even reduced liver function.

A temporary condition -- such as breathing dry air, dehydration or mouth breathing due to a stuffy nose -- is often to blame for occasional throat dryness. A persistently dry throat, however, may indicate something more serious.

An inflamed scalp can be a sign of infection or irritation. It can also occur from a reaction to allergens on the scalp. The condition tends to localize to certain parts of the scalp, but it may cause widespread breakouts.

When your child doesn't sleep well, neither do you. An itchy bottom can interrupt everyone's rest, especially if it gets worse at night or when your child is trying to rest.

An itchy scalp that affects the back of your head and leaves you with thick scales of skin can be embarrassing and annoying. Before you dismiss your itchy scalp as something as simple as dandruff, a trip to the doctor may be in order.

Although bald men and women are more prone to sun damage on the scalp, a full head of hair will not necessarily protect you, according to the Baylor College of Medicine. If the scalp is unprotected and exposed to harmful UV rays, medical conditions like sunburn and skin cancer can occur.

Dandruff, or sebhorreic dermatitis, can cause your scalp to itch and shed flakes of dry skin. Dandruff has a variety of causes, from shampooing your hair too often or not often enough, to sensitivity to washing and styling products. Medical problems like eczema and psoriasis also can result in an itchy flaky scalp.

When the skin on your scalp is flaky and dry, it's tough to get through the day without itching and having flakes of dead skin fall on your shoulders. If your doctor approves, use olive oil as a natural home remedy to moisturize the scalp and prevent the flaking skin associated with dandruff and cradle cap.

The causes of itchy scalp, according to the Mayo Clinic, include too much shampooing and not enough cleaning, oily skin and dry skin, fungus, eczema and sensitivity to shampoos and creme rinses. Each scalp offers unique challenges for stylists who must analyze the hair and scalp.

Nioxin is a line of hair products marketed as capable of increasing and thickening hair growth by inhibiting the hormone Dihydrotestosterone, or DHT. DHT is a hormone that causes male pattern baldness and hair loss by miniaturizing hair follicles.

There are many different factors that can affect the moisture levels of your scalp. If you notice that you only experience dry, scaly patches and small flakes of skin through your hair in the wintertime, you probably have a seasonal dandruff.

If you notice flaky, dry skin in or around your ears, don't brush your hair over your ears and ignore it. The flakes may be caused by seborrheic dermatitis, a dermatological condition that causes scaly skin flakes, or an allergic reaction that may cause flaking and dryness of the skin in the ear area.