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?

Very random but I put sudocrem on the itchy spots on my head, it smooths them almost instantly.

@miceonabranch thanks! Will give your ideas a try. :-)

I do get eczema other places as well. Right now it's in my eyebrows (wtf) and my right foot. As a pp says sudocrem is good but I wouldn't fancy trying to get it out of my hair!

Even though it isn't technically dandruff I do find the anti dandruff shampoos improve it and heal it up quicker.

Bumble and Bumble scalp detox, it is ridiculously expensive and I'm not sure it does anything to help long term.

But applying it feels like someone has freeze dried my scalp. The relief is marvellous. It's a sheer joy on a hot itchy day.

Lots of ideas on here, thanks. Will start with the cheaper ones 😂

I've psoriasis and I use liquid paraffin on my scalp to help the itch.

The main cheap thing to try is to stop touching it. At all. Not even a little titchy scratch!!! Because scratching perpetuates the itch cycle - you will usually itch less if you scratch less. Plus it gives a chance for your scalp to heal.

So as a PP said, wear socks on your hands to bed if you can bear it, or mittens, or wear a hair turban - anything that will put a barrier between your scalp and your nails. Best of luck - it's really hard isn't it! I hope you get some relief soon.

I'm allergic to salicylate, and they're in loads of products, including shampoo and conditioner. Sodium Laureth Sulfate is known for causing problems too. Try and find a shampoo free from both. Or try washing your hair with conditioner instead.

Had similar for over a year, tried everything. Then used betnovate scalp application (steroid) for less than a week - completely better. Such a relief.

It sounds like you've gotten into a scratch-itch cycle, my DD gets this with eczema. She will have a flare up with causes her to scratch, the scratching damages the skin making it itchy, which makes her scratch it more, which makes it itchy and around and around we go.

The only solution is to find a way to stop the scratching which gives the skin a chance to heal so it's no longer itchy.

I would take an anti histamine religiously for a week, I prefer benedryll because you can take it every few hours rather than just once a day which i find more effective.

I would then basically use covers overnight to stop you being able to scratch the skin in a way that causes damage, so a silk sleeping cap which will keep your scalp cool but covered and a pair of moisturising gloves on your hands so if you do scratch in your sleep the nails can't cause damage.

For my daughter we also use an emollient on her skin under bandages but that will be more difficult with it being your scalp and not wanting to gunk up your hair. It is possible to get a steroid scalp lotion on prescription which I've used before when I had an allergic reaction to hair dye.

Ahh I suffered from this for years and honestly tried it all. I got a new hairdresser and she suggested wella sensocalm shampoo and I barely get any itch now. My hair can also last longer between washes, it's such a relief

You need a shampoo with selenium in. They are hard to find these days, the best one I'd found is this one on Amazon: www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00VTQXCAE

You need to use a good amount, lather and leave for a few mins in the shower and then rinse well. I usually alternate with another shampoo as it can be a bit drying if used each time. I always get worse in the winter and am convinced it's because of the lack of sunshine on my scalp killing all the nasties. Hope the itching is sorted soon for you, OP.