My head is itching me to insanity!

[FlamedToACrisp]

I definitely don't have nits, had 'em loads of times and double-checked with nit comb. I was fine until about a year ago, when I decided to treat myself - instead of using Tesco 3in1 anti-dandruff shampoo, I bought the Head & Shoulders brand. Ever since I have been driven mad by my head itching, have switched back to Tesco, tried only washing hair every 10 days, but to no avail. I brush my hair every few minutes, scratch and pick at my head all day long, it feels lumpy and has small flakes of skin but DH says it doesn't look sore or red. I use hair dye, but again have been doing it only every 6-8 wks and it normally feels slightly less itchy afterwards. I have extremely mild eczema on one hand, wondered if it could be that. Help meeee before I shave my lovely long hair off and apply Sudocrem!

Could it be mild psoriasis lesions?

I think sometimes skin just gets irritated and then you get stuck into the scratch itch scratch cycle

I get this sometimes (also no sign of nits!) and thought maybe it was something to do with iron levels which can cause itchiness?

Thanks, all for your ideas. I will up my iron-containing foods while trying not to scratch, and if no improvement will ask the doctor about psoriasis.

My hairdresser was invited to be on the Head and Shoulders TV advert and said he couldn't in all conscience accept as he warns everybody never to use the product.

Have you tried t-gel?
It seems to stop my dry scratchy head immediately.

My experience is : stop using dandruff shampoo!!! You seem to have a sensitive scalp like me. I'm trying the Tgel shampoo now. My favourite shampoo is discontinued

I get this I suddenly developed allergies to shampoos that would make my head so so itchy. I have found two different shampoos that dont itch one is aldis own dandruff shampoo and one is a coconut one that says shine that I get from TK Maxx.

This brought back memories. I had such an itchy scalp a couple of years ago and had for ages. I had a telephone appointment with Dr as I thought it might be some new medicines I was on. I confirmed that no, it wasn't nits as I'd had my DP check. Made an appointment to go and see Dr . Later that day a nit dropped out of my hair into my desk. When I started looking properly I had quite a bad infestation (my first time). I quickly cancelled my Drs appointment... didn't explain why...

Other than that anecdote I have no suggestions apart from maybe not washing your hair for a while, which is difficult . Or try one that's not got the sulphates etc in or one for sensitive/reactive skins.

Try using a shampo for sensitive skin, without perfume etc.

I also buy a sort of gel for dry scalp, something similar to this www.amazon.co.uk/Eucerin-Scalp-Treatment-Balm-100/dp/B00CBTL4YO/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?dchild=1&keywords=dry+scalp+treatment&tag=mumsnetforu03-21&qid=1606926324&sr=8-4,

If you can find it in Boots get Alphosyl shampoo, I've had psoriasis for 25 yrs and it's the only shampoo I could use. My other half used it because we ran out of vosene and he said it was amazing. Will help calm your scalp down in a couple of days x

When I get this I find clarifying shampoo helps and it's caused by product build up. I've found anti dandruff shampoo H&S especially make it worse.

Eucerin for dry sensitive scalp or Allergenics. Stop using anything with SLS.

I get this but in my case head and shoulders tends to calm the itching down. I’m like it at the moment and I could scratch my scalp off!

When I get this I have to give up dairy for a few weeks. I can’t use any hair product whatsoever apart from one kind of shampoo/conditioner.

I had this problem crop out out of nowhere about 10 years ago! Never got to the bottom of it, the scratching would be relieved if I used Nizoral but always come back. I've only managed to stop it recently by switching to solid shampoo, I've been using Beauty Kubes and so far so good...

Are you stressed? I get itchy when I'm stressed.

I have to take antihistamine when I'm stressed or I get lots of itchiness, my scalp is effected badly but also the bottoms of my feet and palms of my hands. I find diphenhydramine works the best, but I can only take a small dose or I fall asleep!

Thanks for all these great suggestions! Boots is just around the corner so I will try to get Alphosyl and T-Gel and see if they work. Aldi and TK Maxx are a long drive away, so will be my second . I'm loath to start taking any pills if I can fix the issue another way.

Also worth watching out for anything containing Argan oil.

My previous hairdresser once treated my hair with conditioner including Argan Oil. OMG, the itching was horrific!

I avoid anything including this now like the plague and no problems at all since.

Another vote for tgel, they do a sensitive scalp version if you can find it but the regular one is also good.

May seem random. But do you wear nail varish. A relative of mine had an allergic reaction to a particular brand of nail varish which led them to scratching their neck and head until they bled.

@Glutted

May seem random. But do you wear nail varish. A relative of mine had an allergic reaction to a particular brand of nail varish which led them to scratching their neck and head until they bled.

No, I never wear nail varnish - and judging by that, I won't be starting any time soon!

Polytar solves it for me. If it’s bad, leave it on your head for 10 minutes, and then rinse.

Jason antidandruff shampoo is great for scalp psoriasis. And not as harsh on hair as some others.