I’m going to scratch my scalp off!

[TVwontwork]

My scalp is so unfathomably itchy that I’m madly scratching so frequently that I look deranged. There is one main patch of about two inches that’s the worst, but then there are another few areas which I am regularly scratching also. My scalp isn’t dry in that there is no flaky skin coming off when I scratch, and apparently it’s not red or discoloured and there’s nothing notable when people have checked it for me, they say it looks completely normal.

This has been going on for 10 months now. I’ve switched what kind of shampoo and conditioners etc I use, but there’s no change. I’ve tried the mint shampoos, tea tree, anti dandruff and none help. I do get my hair coloured, but only once maybe every 3+ months.

I’ve asked a couple of different hairdressers who have no idea and can’t see any issue, a pharmacist was at a loss but suggested a fungal shampoo (Nizoral) might be worth trying - it’s made no difference. I haven’t been to a doctor (GP) because it feels like a waste of time when there’s nothing for me to show them.

Anyone any ideas on what else it could be that I could explore the option of trying to treat? Or any ideas of how to stop the itching before I scratch my scalp off!

Depending on your hair type, you might find you can wash it satisfactorily with shower oil - something fragrance free designed for atopic skin (eg eczema).
I like bioderma and avène but sanex do one cheaply if you’re on a stricter budget.

Can you give me a link to this please, nothing comes up when I google (no idea why).

I can see a Timotei precious oils, is it that one?

It might be a process of elimination to work out what's going on, so I think the GP is a good call On the shampoo front, Moo Goo and The Australian Organic are both good. I get an itchy slightly scabby scalp and they make a real difference. Moo Goo makes my hair a bit fluffy so I usually use the Australian one, but they're both very calming with no irritants.

I am inclined to bet that it’s not as after ten months I think I’d have noticed

I've had success with Lush's Honey I Washed My Hair bar but I wouldn't mind moving away from Lush

There used to be a Neutrogena T Gel that worked, not the petrol smelling one and not the combined shampoo and conditioner. Might be this one https://www.simplymedsonline.co.uk/hair-care/neutrogena-tgel-sensitive-scalp-anti-dandruff-shampoo-150ml.html but I haven't seen it in Boots etc for ages.

I don't have dandruff at all though which is weird.

I have fenofexadine for another allergy too and it helps a bit but not totally. Pretty sure it's eczema

Going to try the Aldi stuff!

I’d try a stronger antihistamine from the dr. I had an excruciating itchy scalp previously after an allergy to a new face product - the vitamin C didn’t agree with me.

My mum had something like this for years although hers was flaky. It did get better eventually but not completely, and she uses a combination of fungal based hair products to this day. Make sure your hair is being dried properly with a hairdryer to prevent fungal breeding. The itching became so habitual with my mum, and it became a vicious cycle. To stop itching she was advised to do things to occupy both hands so took up knitting, which she still does when watching tv.

You can develop an allergy or sensitivity to something you've never reacted to previously. It's not uncommon.
How do you dry your hair?
Do you routinely put your hair up?

I had something similar. I was putting my hair up in a bun after washing and leaving it like that for a couple days. I think it caused yeast or similar even though the derm said she couldn't see anything. I just recently stopped doing that and my scalp has stopped itching.
I'm also washing my hair 2-3x p/w now when I used to just wash 1-2x p/w (10+ years no issue).
I used dandruff/itchy scalp shampoo before changing the washing/drying and the shampoo didn't help.
Also, scalp can become sensitive to being pulled all tbe time into pony tails or buns. That can manifest as itchiness. Another tip is to make sure your hair brush and comb are regularly washed.

Yes I’ve tried that Neutrogena one that you’ve linked, but unfortunately it didn’t work for this.
I am a very dry skinned person and have suffered with eczema in the past, so it’s very strange that these patches are not visibly dry at all and in no way flaky, despite all the itching and scratching.

Never wear my hair up and blow dry soon after washing. I have to wash my hair every couple of days due to greasiness.
Good tip about washing brushes, I’ve not actually done that in a while, so thanks for the idea/reminder.

OP, Enstilar is prescribed for diagnosed psoriasis, an auto-immune skin condition that usually shows physical symptoms.

The ingredients include a steroid called Betamethasone, liquid paraffin, and butane (which is flammable). I use it on my body. I personally don't use it on my scalp / under my hair as it is quite greasy, and prefer Betnovate scalp lotion for scalp outbreaks under my hair. I do use Enstilar on occasion around the edges of my hair & scalp, though.

I have a diagnosis and treatment plan from a dermatologist, and she and my GP have an NHS 'shared care' arrangement. The treatment plan includes understanding use of steroid ointments, e.g. not overdoing it for too long, gentle and 'weaning off' from applications rather than sudden cessation.

There are also many shampoos to try, from T-Gel to Polytar Plus to rosemary infused washes.

I'm also on biologic jabs, and you honestly wouldn't know I have a skin problem to look at me.

Best of luck

Ginger shampoo from The Body Shop. It's never on offer because it sells so well because it's so good.

Yes I’ve tried this one and really like it for my hair, but unfortunately it’s made no difference to my scalp.

A gp might prescribe a steroid. I buy it from another country for random itchy spots, and recently I had this on my scalp and the steroid cleared it up immediately.

L'Occitane do a shampoo for sensitive & irritated scalp. Silicone free, mainly natural ingredients.
Might be worth a try.

What worked for my itchy scalp was washing it in cooler, if not cold, water. Worth a try? Even if just for the final rinse?

It's also supposed to make your hair shiny.

I then have to blast my roots asap with hot air, conversely.

I have had similar to that
get to the doctor and get some ‘dermacool’
plaster it on you head and leave it on overnight takes a few goes but it saved my scalp from scratching it sore

You can buy it online but it is very expensive. My GP thought it was psoriasis and the foam cleared it completely. The itching was driving me insane and I had tried everything.

Mix some tea tree essential oil into your shampoo and conditioner. If it’s fungal this will kill it. Do you have acid reflux/heart burn at all? H pylori and some other bacterial imbalances can cause itchy scalp.

I’ve actually tried that but it unfortunately didn’t work for me. And no I don’t suffer with heart burn or acid reflux. Thanks for the well meaning advice though.

https://redcarpetcurls.com/the-science-behind-the-itchy-ms-methylchloroisothiazolinone-and-methylisothiazolinone/

Have you heard of itchy Ms? This article was written for people with curly hair that follow the curly girl method but the same can be applied to those with straight hair too.

Mine was bad with dying but nizoral 2% ketoconazole treatment

Could you be iron deficient? That causes itching sometimes

Please op do it for me and buy yourself a nit comb.
i had the scratchiness for months (not ten, but still…) and was the only one. I saw a dermatologist and paid through the nose for the visit and she said to try steroids. I am not kidding. I was taking antihistamines to feel a little relief. I realised it was nits when I saw one crawling on my child’s forehead and going back into the hair. I hope it’s not that, but it can be that.

I had this a while back, I assumed it was hormonal as it wasn't nits or dandruff or anything - using a rosemary shampoo bar, no conditioner, and then Charles Worthington scalp tonic helped. For when it was just unbelievably itchy I would spray it with pure white vinegar - smelly but immediately stopped the itch.

Bummer, it's worked for everyone I have recommended it to. Hope you find a cure soon.