Itchy, flaky scalp - dandruff? why?

[Frettchen]

Help!

For the last 6 months, probably longer, but much less severely, I've had horrid flaky skin on my scalp - mainly at the top of the forehead, just under the hairline, behind my eyebrows and at the top of my nose (between the eyebrows). It started small and occasional, and I thought it was just the cold weather, but it seems to to be getting a lot worse as the weeks have stretched into months. My head is always itchy, and whenever I scratch it skin flakes come off, and as I have dark hair it really shows up.

I'm assuming it's dandruff and will be getting some head & shoulders, or some other special shampoo, but I really want to know what could have caused it. I flit between different shampoo brands fairly often, so it doesn't seem to be a reaction to any specific one. I do dye my hair, but I've been doing that for the past 10-15 years, so that's not new.

What do I do if the special shampoo doesn't help? This doesn't seem serious enough to warrant time off work for a GP appointment, but it's irritating and really embarrassing...

Any similar experiences, cures or possible explanations would be really welcome...

I'm 28, if that helps. I wash my hair about 3 times a week, always have. I moved jobs about 8 months ago, but that's meant less stress than the last one, so I wouldn't think it's stress-based. I'm not pg, and have no DC, so there haven't been any hormonal changes... Am stumped.

[MegaClutterSlut]

might be psoriasis?

[MargeSimpson]

Suspect it's seborrhoeic dermatitis. See GP

[Jins]

I get this if I use shampoos containing SLS and silicones. That's pretty well everything you can buy

Body shop rainforest shampoo sorted me out but I get the occasional flare up

[Frettchen]

Lawks, plenty of things it could be... (Probably shouldn't have google image searched in the office!) I had wondered at first whether it was some form of dermatitis, but decided I was probably being a bit hypochondriac, and that it's probably something much less interesting.

I've tried Body Shop hair products and didn't really get on with them - my hair felt weird for days afterwards.

I'll give the Nutrogena a try and see if that shakes it, if not will see about getting someone to look at it.

Thanks!

[Isityouorme]

I have to use a scalp treatment called Betnovate .... Works wonders! On prescription.

[smugmumofboys]

I have similar flare-ups and find the Philip Kingsley itchy scalp shampoo really effective. It's pricey but good value as it works and a little goes a long way. It also smells nice too.

[DuffyDuck]

Massaging coconut oil into the flaky parts at night (not the hair) and then washing with a shampoo containing coal tar might help as well.

Still best to see GP and get a referral to the dermatologist!

[DuffyDuck]

Maybe oil supplements would be a good idea, too - like evening primrose, or starflower, or fish oil capsules.

[SuburbanRhonda]

Yes, this definitely sounds like seborrhoeic dermatitis. I've had it for 30 years, though it's not as bad now as when I first got it. Just one main patch behind my ear.

The only thing that works for me is Betnovate scalp application, as isityouorme says, only available on prescription. There may be things that make it flare up. Two other members of my family started getting it when they went thorough periods of intense stress.

When it gets a bit better, try Nizoral shampoo. Available over the counter, but it's very expensive. It does seem to help.

[Frettchen]

Right - Nutragens T-Gel applications start today. It suggests a 6 week course, 3 applications per week.

I'm hoping to get a GP appointment in the next week or so too ask for a PCOS test (unrelated symptoms) so will mention it then.

[Frettchen]

Nutragena^