Itchy scalp

[StripeyClocksDontWorkBetter]

DD7 has had an extremely itchy scalp for a couple of weeks. It's definitely not lice. I keep looking but can see neither nits nor lice. We asked the pharmacist and they suggested a shampoo containing salicylic acid and coconut. It hasn't made any difference yet.

I've also tried applying coconut oil regularly but it hasn't helped either and it stinks.

She also has a bit of an itchy rash on the back of her neck and I wonder if that extends to her scalp but I can't see it under her hair.

I first thought it's just dry skin maybe made worse by the heating being on but the crazy thing is that now my head has started itching as well and I sometimes see the baby scratch his head as well. Can't see any lice or nits on him either. Could it be some sort of fungal infection? A microscopic variety of lice? Some other parasite?

I'm trying to get an appointment with the GP but that can take ages before we are seen.

Any ideas what this could be or what we could try?

Could you treat for nits just in case? You say you've looked. Have you combed through? Get a nitty gritty comb. And do section by section. Just to check.

Have you changed washing products or anything?

Polytar shampoo. That really stinks though, unless you like creosote.

I have discovered there is something known as 'the itchy Ms'. Some additive in many shampoos and conditioners that is fine for most people but causes some people to itch. Methylchloroisothiazolinone and methylisothiazolinone If I use anything with those in I am scratching continually.

There are many other reasons but I rarely see these mentioned

No, we haven't changed anything but maybe it's a good idea to do the lice treatment anyway.

If she showers, check the water isn’t too hot, and that she’s not under it directly for too long?

If she dries her hair using a hairdryer then check the temperature and avoid excessive heat?

if it starts scabbing/weeping, it could be eczma. The GP can prescribe a scalp lotion for that.

Perhaps ask the pharmacist to check your child's scalp in the meantime?

No, she hates water falling on her face or hair so I wash her hair as quickly as possible with fairly lukewarm water. And we rarely use a hair dryer and always on the "cooler" setting.

When you say you keep looking for head lice, are you using a nit comb and combing systematically from the scalp through the hair? Head lice can be easy to miss.

This is fantastic stuff.

www.hollandandbarrett.com/shop/product/balmonds-scalp-oil-60033942?skuid=033942

I thought it might be eczema because of the colder dryer air and she's had issues with eczema in previous years (never in her head though).

I'm just wondering wh my head is itchy too. I thought it might be something infectious. But then my entire body is itching tonight. Maybe the heating is on too much or is on too high.

No. Just parting her hair and looking. I really need to use a bit comb I think and examine it very thoroughly. I also just realised that the nits are brown and now as I wrongly thought white. DD has brown hair so I might have really missed them. Ah apparently a rash on the back of the neck can be a symptom too. Oh no. I don't understand why I didn't look into this more days ago!!

Have you been eating anything sugary that you don't usually eat?

Definitely slather with conditioner and use a nitty gritty comb, section by section. Those little lice f@£kers can be very very small, and pretty much impossible to see just by parting the hair and looking.
We are constantly battling them at the moment 😭

It’s almost certainly nits. The rash on the back of the neck is a tell tale sign.
As someone whose child has battled nits many times I suggest using Hedrin shampoo (or similar) which you leave in for 15 minutes. You need to really run it into the scalp in order to work properly. This should kill most of the lice, but never seems to get them all - despite what it says on the side of the bottle.
Use cheap conditioner and a bit comb every couple of days for the next 2 weeks and should should get them all.
We’ve had not epidemics at school because people do the nit shampoo once and think it’s enough. It isn’t.
Also a good idea to ask everyone at school to check and treat their children. Otherwise your child will keep picking them up from friends. Everyone has to treat at the same time.
Good luck!

nit comb - not bit

Has she had covid recently? I've had a very itchy scalp for the past 10 days or so and tonight my neck is itchy too. I was positive for covid 3 weeks ago. I've not been anywhere to come into contact with nits and ds was ill the same time as me and hadn't been at school for 3 weeks now

It’s easy to miss, particularly if your child hasn’t had them before. Common things are common! The most common reason for kids with itchy head is nits. Just buy some treatment today and a good comb and follow instructions to the letter. You’ll have to repeat the treatment again as per instructions. Don’t miss this or you’ll be back to square one.

If it's not nits then look at your shampoo, argon oil is often an irritant. Using coconut oil etc could cause build up. I would strip wash the hair with a very plain shampoo maybe even fairy liquid. But yes thorough check for nits first.

Might not be nits,could be reacting to the shampoo even if it's one he's used before. Try Ginger Shampoo from the body shop,that sorts my itchy scalp out.