In early 2021, according to Jennifer Larson (Healthline), “It is believed that folks most times think about their legs or armpits first whenever they asked where generates the most unpleasant smell, but the scalp may be filthier than you realize. Identifying the most likely culprit can assist you in determining the most effective method for reducing — or perhaps totally removing — any foul smells”.  

When someone mentions smelly hair, it does not only occurs because the hair is filthy and dirty; but other issues can also be involved. Let’s take a look at some other causes;

What Are Probable Causes Of Smelly Hair And Scalp?

1. Hormone production; fluctuations in hormone production in the body can also cause breakouts that can lead to the hair emitting foul smell.

2. Improper diet and consumption of foul-smelling food

3. Change in season conditions.

4. Pollution, most especially air pollution

5. Chemical Hair Products

6. Unhygienic Hair Habits; this includes not enough or excessive hair washing and unkempt hair tools.

7. Excessive Sweating

9. Fungal Infections; some odors are bothersome and weird, and some people are unaware that there are causes and reasons for them. These people, sadly, have a scalp condition or fungal infection of the scalp. It is most likely why they can’t even wash the smell away. 

What Can You Do If Your Hair Smells?

1. After each shampoo, apply conditioner. Conditioners can significantly improve the appearance of damaged or weathered hair by increasing shine, decreasing static electricity, improving strength, and providing UV protection from the African sun.
2. Wash your silk caps, face caps, bonnets, or anything you use as hair coverings. This will help eliminate dirt and sweat.
3. Shampoo the scalp thoroughly. When washing your hair, focus on cleaning the scalp first, rather than the entire length of hair. Washing only your hair can result in flyaway, dull, and hard afro-textured hair.
4. Use your conditioner with essential oils (coconut oil, tree tea oil, jojoba oil, rosemary oil, e.t.c) as a hair masque. While the conditioner does its duties as stated above, the essential oils present will improve the scent the hair gives off significantly. 
5. Concentrate conditioner on the tips of the hair. Because conditioners can make fine hair look limp, they should only be used on the tips of the hair and not on the scalp or length of the hair.
6. When washing your hair, use lukewarm water.
7. Washing your afro-textured hair daily will strip your hair of its oils and make it prone to unnecessary pungent smell. Whenever your hair smells after going through a day, use natural hair products to maintain your oil balance, your scalp moisturized, and your afro-textured hair bouncy and healthy. Using natural ingredients will usually reduce the need for daily washing. Always take time to massage shampoo into your scalp when washing your hair.
8. Swim with your hair covered. Wet and condition your hair before swimming to protect it from the harmful impacts of chlorine. Although this does not help replace any moisture that is lost during swimming, you can use specially formulated swimmers shampoo and deep conditioner after swimming.
9. Ignore scalp-drying sulfates and cheap added hair products, as well as excessive silicone use. These are drying, which promotes more oil production and odor-causing microbial growth.
10. Use a paste of baking soda and water on wet hair before shampooing to help exfoliate the scalp and remove excess buildup of hair products.
11. After shampooing (no need to rinse it out) and before applying a leave-in conditioner, rinse with a dilute vinegar solution. This is advisable because the smell of vinegar fades quickly, and it thoroughly cleans your scalp and hair. Vinegar rinses (white or apple cider) are also beneficial for removing scalp scaliness.
12. Proper hygiene should be practiced on every hair tool (i.e. combs, brushes and hair accessories), so as to be careful what is going into your newly washed/cleaned hair.
13. In case you have tried all the procedures listed above and there is still no change, talk to a certified dermatologist for extensive help. 

Getting rid of hair odor is as important as body odor, so be observant and take proper action to counter any pungent smell.