Is Soft Water Making My Mother Lose Hair?

My elderly mother lives in AZ, has a soft water system. She believes that she hasn’t been getting the soap out of her hair becuz she now has a “crust” like condition all over her scalp and when she washes her hair her hair is falling out with/in the “crust”. Is there a way to soften it or a different method to remove it and save her hair?

Soft water lacks calcium and magnesium, which might actually be better for your hair than hard water. Crusts on one’s scalp has nothing to do with soft water, though.

Your mom should see her doctor for a diagnosis of what she has before considering any options or speculating on reasons for her hair loss. I couldn’t say what might be going on with her scalp or how to correct it without an examination.