Help me stop scratching my head to shreds

[itchingnonstop]

Help!

For about six weeks I've had a ridiculously itchy head at night time - and especially in the mornings. To the extent that my head is bleeding, sore and red from my fingernails. I've tried to resist but It's just so itchy I can't stop.

I was hoping you lovely Mumsnetters would have some ideas what is causing it and how to stop it. JUST MAKE IT STOP!

I have already:

1. had a hairdresser and a nurse check for nits and have used a nit comb. Several times. There are no nits and no eggs. I don't have nits.
2. had a dr check for psoriasis and dermitis. It's neither. Dr said just to use piriton when it itches but it itches every day and I want to address whatever the cause it rather than just take medication every day. And the piriton doesn't work anyway!
3. changed my pillow to hyper allergenic.
4. changed my washing powder
5. stopped using my old (scent free) and tried another Neutrogena shampoo for itchy scalps.
6. stopped using conditioner
7. stopped using all hair styling products
8. had my hair cut shorter
9. opened the window to make it cooler at night time (it's not hot in my room, I'm in the Uk and don't have the CH on yet but thought I'd try it anyway).

The itching is just on my scalp, the top, front and back but not at the sides and not on any skin around the head that doesn't have hair on it.

I am allergic to cats but no cats have been in my house and I haven't touched a cat in years. I don't have any other pets.

Please please if anyone has had this, how did you resolve it?

Try nizoral shampoo or other from pharmavist over the counter
Tea tree oil might help
See dermatologist

Checked for a fungal infection? You can get a shampoo

Checked for a fungal infection? You can get a shampoo

Dr didn't see any signs of fungal infection.

I'd go for a shampoo with selenium in.

And rinse with cool chamomile tea (really!) To soothe the scalp.

And try the antihistamine! It might break the itch and scratch cycle!

Try nizoral shampoo or other from pharmavist over the counter
Tea tree oil might help
See dermatologist

Thank you. Got a tea tree conditioner arriving today.
Got a dermatologist appt in four weeks. I may have scratched my head off by then though.

*I'd go for a shampoo with selenium in.

And rinse with cool chamomile tea (really!) To soothe the scalp.

And try the antihistamine! It might break the itch and scratch cycle!*

Thanks. What does selenium do?
Have tried antihistamine. No effect.

Nizoral shampoo, and go back to dr and ask for betnovate

Another one saying nizoral. Also have you tried using a clarifying shampoo to get rid of any build up?

Use Nizoral or selsun once or twice then switch to the body shop ginger shampoo,there's a conditioner too.

For starters take the antihistamine, and take it consistently for a week or so to see if that helps. Since you know you don't have nits and have had other things ruled out, it is possible you are stuck in an itch-scratch cycle where you are constantly irritating the scalp by scratching it, and causing further itching.

I get eczema on my head. I rotate the various hard-core anti dandruff shampoos already mentioned, plus Oilatum shampoo (if I use that dark brown Neutrogena one every day hair starts falling out!) but it won't make much difference unless I stop eating dairy. So if you've got any inkling of a potential food intolerance it might be worth cutting it out in case it helps.

I have this so I'm interested to see what posters suggest.
I've tried Body Shop ginger shampoo and conditioner; head and shoulders shampoo, etc - none of them helped. Antihistamine - didn't help either.

I remember getting terrible itches on my head and elsewhere on my body when I started the menopause. I don't know how old you are OP but could that possibly be a factor?

I get this on my neck and sometimes up into my scalp. Steroid lotions are all that break the cycle for me.

With regards to Nizorol, I can see on Amazon there is a daily prevent one, and an anti dandruff one, both designed to treat and prevent dandruff.

I don't have dandruff, literally not one flake.

@barbrahunter been through early menopause several years ago, all finished.

@OopsItsAPony thank you. How do you put a lotion into the hair though without it looking an utter state when you have to go to work?

@trilbydoll thank you. Interesting you mention food intolerance. I have considered this. Did you have other symptoms, or just an itchy head?

@TheYearOfSmallThings right, I'll try taking consistently for a week, thanks

I've had similar recently, started using dead sea spa scalp mud (get it from Holland & Barrett or dept stores), £10 a tube. Massage in gently on scalp and hair, leave ten minutes then tepid rinse. Really helped reduce my scratching! Had lots of compliments on my shiny hair too.

I found Head & Shoulders Scalp Relief treatment really helped. My scalp was driving me mad but this has really calmed it. I don't rate their shampoos and don't have dandruff, it was just scalp itch, but that stuff really helped me.
As someone else had mentioned you might now be stuck in an itch-scratch cycle which is causing the continued irritation.

This happens to me, especially when I’m run down or stressed, I literally make my scalp bleed from scratching in my sleep. I use head and shoulders and it settles down within days.

I'm going through this at the moment and it definitely is worse in winter (like my exzema)

I've just ordered some tea tree shampoo as Nuetrogena doesn't really work on me anymore

Tea tree is definetly good on the scabs, I am a bugger for scratching them

Try a silk pillowcase along with the other strategies. You can get them from Amazon or M&S. Definitely take the antihistamines systematically for at least a week, and wear mittens/gloves/socks on your hands while you sleep so that you don't scratch and allow your scalp to heal.

You really have my sympathy, OP - horrible to be constantly itching.