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!

Nizoral have an 'everyday' one and a medicated one- I use both together to sort the itching out. Everyday, well, for everyday and if I have a flare up, the medicated one gets a good soak in the shower.

TGel Sensitive also helped me.

Cut you hair as short as you can still style it and apply T-Gel Shampoo. Leave on for a few minutes and use a cold water rinse with pat dry only. Use a thick oil based lubricant in between washes. Wash it daily until stops itching. Then keep it dry with talcum powder letting the fresh air get to it.

Mine was constant. Scratched until i bled. Get a blood test just to rule it out

You’ll lose that bet.

This is going to sound weird but I itch constantly and find myself scratching BUT if I get nail extensions I don’t itch at all, I can’t think of a single reason logically why this can be the case but it is. I’ve not got extensions at the moment and can’t stop scratching, I’ll report back when I get new ones in 10 days time

Can I ask why cutting my hair short would make my scalp stop itching?
I also don’t like the idea of putting talc all over my head as I have dark hair which I feel would probably look fairly hideous laden with talc.
Thanks for your well meaning advice though.

Sorry to say that the traditional T-Gel with coal tar has been discontinued. You can still buy a shampoo branded as T-Gel but it's completely different and the active ingredient is salicylic acid. I'm furious - it was the one thing that kept my scalp psoriasis under control. I'm trying to get used to Polytar as an alternative but it's nowhere near as good.

E45 dry scalp shampoo helps me to some extent. I'd like to know what causes the itching though, as it seems to come out of nowhere.

Yes because it’s a steroid foam.

I had my nails done for years then suddenly developed an allergy. It could definitely be your hair dye

Can I ask... Is it just itchy, or can you almost 'gouge' out pieces in these patches?

Mine is the latter. Back right, back left and bottom back.

It's like adult cradle cap I suppose. I'm using Tgel, no joy. I've had seborrhoeic dermatitis and all sorts of bad skin in past but I can literally dig with a fingernail, pull out a chunky piece and it will be back again by morning.

My age suggests hormones! I will see gp as driving me mad.

That'll explain why my blummin expensive purchases haven't worked then! Tgel was a miracle when it first came out (teen) after Selsun (? Yellow smelly runny stuff) and traditional coal tar.

It doesn't.

I grade 8 my hair every few weeks. That's me. It makes no difference!

And I use Tgel - see above.

Makes no difference!

I'm going to message GP in morning. Luckily he's really good and knows me so I might only need phone call. I am thinking fungal. Mmm.

I'll let you know @TVwontwork

It just itches. There’s nothing there when anyone checks for me, so to the eye there is no issue, it’s just insanely itchy.

Thank you and good luck!

Capasal Tar Shampoo from Amazon, OP! I have the exact same issue and have tried everything but nothing works like Capasal. I used to be prescribed it by my GP until the NHS stopped prescribing medicated shampoos. Honestly, try it. It’s also amazingly clarifying.

I've tried loads across the price spectrum and Head and Shoulders Itchy Scalp is the only one that has properly worked for me.

You too!

I'll let you know anyway just in case.

Is it worth being seen about itching, not being related to where you are itching, if that makes sense? Intense itching can be a symptom of other things... Might be head for you, legs for another.
I'm just guessing now. Let's both call our GP's!

How old are you? I have had this on and off for a couple of years and I am perimenopause. It literally drove me insane. Had bloods done and I was folate deficient seems to improved after folic acid prescription. Really hope it does not return.

Do you use purple shampoo? That makes me itchy.

Meanwhile OP - got a plastic fork? I’ll probably sound disgusting to some people here but if you have a disposable or kids plastic fork you’re not going to use for food, they are SO good for scratching your scalp. Heaven. You’re welcome

Available from (online) gp prescription - Betnovate Scalp Lotion - the best anti itch ever.
Although not as good, any betnovate type cream does help, a little, eg over the counter
Canestan hydrocortisone. Possibly now marketed as athletes foot cream….??

I get this. I’m a dandruff factory 😵

I used the Cornish Seaweed shampoo and conditioner too - it’s been an absolute game changer for my scalp. I was scratching all the time. Apparently it’s a perimenopause symptom. I’m itch free now. The CS shampoo and conditioner isn’t cheap but it’s been worth every penny for the relief.