one other thing I noticed was that using a dandruff shampoo once a week helped to control the itchies and the head zits!

I also tried the cider vinegar . . . my hair looked amazingly shiny and soft afterwards but it did kinda sting my scalp. I probably should have diluted it . . . .

Definitely dilute the ACV. 1 TBSP / liter of water. It's an acid (just like hair conditioner, fabric softener etc). Baking soda is an alkaline but it also should be diluted at teh same ratio.

You may want to considering using a sulfate free shampoo--sulfates tend to "strip" the hair of oils natural and otherwise. Deva Curl makes a shampoo called No-Poo that does not later at all but still cleans your hair really well. Any hair type can use it, my hair is chemically treated and fine and I love this stuff! Also, they make a conditioner called One Condition that works as a cleanser as well that you could use on the off days that you don't want to shampoo.