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!

i had horrendous pruritus of my stomach during pregnancy and the only thing that helped was Eurax cream.

I’ve recently used it for a madly itchy mosquito bite on the sole of my foot - it was again the only thing that worked. I tried anti-histamine, hydrocortisone cream, ice etc. but nothing gave me long term relief.

Obviously scalp a bit different but perhaps try and rub it in the itchiest of areas?

I had this as a reaction to one of the HRT’s I tried, it was horrendous! Are you on anything that might cause this as a side effect?

Ginger shampoo and conditioner from Body Shop.

Eurax HC is the best for insect bites as it contains Hydrocortisone.

I am mid 40s so it’s quite possible it could be the start of being peri menopausal

No, no medication

peri symptom for me. Hrt fixed it.

I see two mentions of Cornish Seaweed Co above. It made the problem loads worse for me - stringy, sticky hair and unbearable itchy scalp! I tried to push on through the first few weeks they say it takes to 'adjust' but gave up more than a month in. So unfortunately that stuff doesn't work for everyone (my friend had the same experience as me but with a very different hair type. We are both late 40s.)

same age it started for me. Get your bloods checked my hair was snapping off too seems to have settled now.

I second this, they are the best hair products I've found

I've found nettle shampoo bar from planet soap very soothing.
www.planetsoap.co.uk/product-page/nettle-shampoo-bar

Yes I’ve had the Eurax HC before, but recently just used the normal Eurax on my mossie bite. Still worked well thank goodness!

Yep!! Formication is caused by lack of oestrogen

Formication (not fornication!)is caused by lack of oestrogen. HRT fixed mine.