seborrheic dermatitis really painful

[MollyBloomYes]

I'm going mad with the irritation and pain.

I've never had a scalp this bad. Occasional patches of dandruff when I was younger but this is big scales, redness, intense itching and downright painful. There are two spots in particular that actually feel bruised as soon as I touch them

I've seen the nurse at my GP and she's prescribed Betacap (does take away the irritation for a while but has also caused a rash around my ears and neck) and Alphosyl shampoo

I've also ordered a scalp oil from Balmonds which has good reviews. Again, soothes the itching for a while but woke up (it's meant to be put on overnight then washed off in morning) and itching was just as bad, if not worse from the drying oil. Plus it has tea tree oil in it which I've reacted to in the past so I don't want to use it too often.

Is there anything else I can be doing? It's making me utterly miserable and pretty self conscious! It's like the pain and unbearable irritation of thrush and cystitis combined only on my head. And with gross scales!

It sounds as if it is infected. Maybe you need a swab taken and some ABx.

Should have mentioned-initially sent through photos to my GP 'e consult' thing who prescribed abx and made the appointment with the nurse. I did finish the course but they didn't make a difference

There is an ointment that doctors can prescribe, not sure if it is one you mentioned. Moogoo make a scalp cream that is very gentle, not like the Balmond's, which you can leave overnight and wash out. It's not cheap but is nicer feeling than other remedies and might just work for you.

Have you tried coal tar shampoo?
Also the dr can prescribe you a shampoo with ketoconazole in it (takes a couple of weeks to work) and a steroid liquid to rub into it.
It took 18 months but with a combination of all 3 I've finally got rid of it all🤞
Good luck getting it sorted

Use a shampoo that doesn't irritate it. Lush Seanik bar works for me, as does an Argan oil shampoo. I don't use conditioner as my hair is short and fine so I don't need it, but you can get a conditioner with it in too.
Use betacap regularly, making sure you leave it on overnight. (Put a towel on your pillow when you do.) It can sting, so be warned!
Add nizoral shampoo too. It strips the oil from your hair and scalp, so don't use it too often.
I couldn't tolerate coal tar either.
With the above, I found a combination that works for me, although it took me a while (and I still get the weeping scalp and tenderness here and there, but can get back on top of it - it's usually if I've been a bit lazy).

Already using Betacap (the steroid solution for scalps) which does help but seems to be causing contact dermatitis around the back of my ears and scalp!

Tired Nizoral and it was awful, just made it worse, the pain was awful! The Alphosyl is coal tar based, early days at the moment but can so far say it hasn't made it worse. Fingers crossed for that one. I understand head and shoulders contains a different ingredient to either of those two products so that might be next on my list. It's fitting because I normally try really hard to avoid harsh ingredients on my hair and it's been in lovely condition. Now it's all stiff and straw like and looks like it's been over processed from bleach despite no bleach being near it

Looks like I just need to keep trying different things then in the hopes that something keeps it at bay. Hadn't thought of Moogoo, I use their creams on my sons exczema to great effect so I'll definitely look into that.

Seems that diet doesn't make a difference either from what I've read which is infuriating because I'd happily cut out anything from my diet at the moment to get rid of this bloody condition!

@mollybloomyes did you find a resolution to this? I have a really bad flare up and am desperate for a solution that works!

nizoral shampoo