Desperately need help with my scalp

[INeedNewShoes]

I have a long-term problem with my scalp. GP and Dermatologist referral has led to me trying treatments for seborrheic dermatitis as well as fungal things. Nothing has ever noticeably worked. It seems to have a mind of its own and just run in a cycle of flare ups then be better again with no apparent reason.

I've come to accept it's here to stay. However, I'm horrified to realise today that it's now so bad that it's very visible through my hair.

Picture attached.

Big, very stubborn flakes that seem to wrap around hairs so if I ease a flake out a clump of hair comes with it.

I've asked on Mumsnet before but I'm going to ask again in case anyone can suggest anything new.

Please help!

I was a long term dandruff sufferer and body shop ginger shampoo has worked for the last 3 years for me

OP I had scalp problems, although they were nowhere near as bad as yours.
Philip Kingley’s scalp tonic absolutely changed my life.
www.justmylook.com/philip-kingsley-flaky-itchy-scalp-toner-250ml-p8702/s9633?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=philip-kingsley-flaky-itchy-scalp-toner-250ml-pk0008&utm_campaign=product%2Blisting%2Bads&cid=GBP&gclsrc=aw.ds&&gclid=Cj0KCQjwpavpBRDQARIsAPfTwiwjpWlQiYl5ND9Z3qiOIGwbAEK76NoKKaDlt0ipTg5nkzjiKWiec6AaAvgQEALw_wcB

Have you tried Neutrogena TGel with tar ingredient?

have you ever tried Cocolis?

Things that work for me-

Anything with the active ingredient selenium.

Head and shoulders clinical solutions with selenium.

Head and shoulders argan range.

TBS ginger shampoo- avoid the conditioner though!

L'Oréal elvive Phytoclear shampoo- normal and sensitive

T Gel shampoo

Rubbing coconut oil in over night and washing off in the morning -shampoo on before wetting avoids greasiness.

www.boots.com/boots-expert-sensitive-hair-treatment?cm_mmc=bmm-buk-google-ppc--PLAs--(GB:Whoop!)+Boots-_-(GB:Whoop!)+Boots+Shopping+-+Category+-+Beauty+-+Mobile&gclsrc=aw.ds&&gclid=Cj0KCQjwpavpBRDQARIsAPfTwiwC2AJeufNO16QSy5lahR2dVBuDU3t5Ys1-BnvQy4IfC2iXg2T3_xcaAtk7EALw_wcB

This is particularly nice too.

I had an irritated scalp for years. Tried everything. In the end what worked for me was a non-foaming shampoo. Even the sensitive scalp product all have foaming agents.

(I currently use L'Oréal Lo Shampoo - cheap and cheerful and an absolute revelation for me.)

Has anyone tried cradle cap shampoo?

I have eczema and it affects my scalp, but I must confess I don't think my worst flare ups have been as bad as what you're dealing with, you poor thing :( what have you tried already? Generally I wash my hair every third day with Head and Shoulders antidandruff 2 in 1 shampoo and conditioner (any one, I'm using the 'itchy scalp' one atm). The active ingredient is zinc pyrithione I think. Then if I am having a bit of a flare up I will use Oilatum shampoo (I get this on prescription but you can buy it OTC), followed by Head and Shoulders conditioner on lengths-ends. If I'm having a particularly bad or prolonged flare up and the above isn't helping and it's just getting worse, I use Polytar shampoo, which I get prescribed but I think you can buy it OTC, then head and shoulders conditioner.

There's also a nice shampoo in Holland and Barrett called Allergenics.

When was the last time you saw the GP and how long did you use each treatment for?

To get the stuff out (mechanical method) use a nitty gritty comb. It can also lift flakes from the scalp but not if scalp is very inflamed.

How does it react to daily washing? I would wash daily with shampoo with aspirin dissolved in it. Again this depends how inflamed it is.

Tgel and henna work for me.

I also know people who have used miconazole to great effect (obviously it's an off label use)

The Philip Kingsley flaky itchy set worked really well for me

Body shop ginger shampoo works for me. When I’m stressed my scalp sheds like a snake, and that stops it almost overnight.

Have you been prescribed any form of steroid lotion for it? Betacap is one - you apply it when going to bed and wash in the morning (it makes your hair a bit greasy, and a word of warning - it can sting). It helps remove flakes and keep them at bay. Ask your GP about it.

Or Nizoral?

Following.
My poor son is suffering with what looks like psoriasis in his scalp.

Have you tried going shampoo/conditioner free for a few weeks? Some brands react very badly to my scalp and it gets worse as I get older.

And looking at your diet as well.

How’s the rest of your skin? Digestion?

I use nizoral shampoo when i have a flare up. Every few years it gets really bad and i need a steroid liquid to put on it (betnovate i think). I know to avoid tresemme products as they are really bad for me.

Also want to say that have given myself a bald patch before now when i have picked at it.

Thats psoriasis. ...don't know if its still available but coal tar shampoo will get rid of it. Stress is the cause apparently

I have a very simular thing going on with my hair I was prescribed dermax shampoo from the doctors and it has worked wonders x

Capasal worked amazingly for me - my psoriasis has flared on my scalp and it was horrific. It smells VILE but it’s also fairly decent on your hair so it doesn’t feel quite like some medicated shampoos.

Mange is typically like that, so is psoriasis.