Medical advice please

[cerseii]

Posting for traffic

I’m having a scalp flare up. I’m 23/no health conditions/no medication.

The problem has been cycling for 6 weeks. GP provided a steroid scalp lotion but it always comes back after I wean off.

There’s dozens of painful small red bumps on my head, highly concentrated around my hairline. Sometimes they are convex, but mainly flat. It resembles pimples, but isn’t. Nothing on my face/neck/elsewhere. It hurts to brush my hair. My scalp is slightly itchy, no dandruff.

After a few days the circumference of the red bumps reduce. The bumps later dry out and a bit of skin comes off (ie the hair follicle - my hair falls out with it). Then the cycle repeats! What’s going on?

Forget the GP and get yourself to a dermatologist.

Yes, ask for a referral to a dermatologist. You might need to be fairly assertive with your GP, but persist until you get referred on.

Please don't take medical advice from strangers on the internet. Ask for a second opinion or a referral to a specialist.

Sounds weird, but have you eaten pineapple recently, as in fresh not part of a meal?

Dr Google suggests: Red bumps on your head could be due to a scalp infection called folliculitis. This occurs when the hair follicles become infected by a fungus, virus or bacteria after becoming damaged. This condition likely needs a dermatologists's help and can be remedied with topical or oral antibiotics.

Have you tried coal tar shampoo?

Thank you all so much for taking the time to reply!

I do eat fresh pineapple, fairly regularly actually

Have tried tar shampoo - I think it helps my scalp feel comfortable though doesn’t get rid of it

The problem is my GP still isn’t seeing patients face to face, and the receptionist said I can’t send photos in. So it’s like a guessing game trying to get a diagnosis. The dermatology referral waiting list is 6+ months

I remember having a slight irritation to Nioxin shampoo/conditioner. I stopped using them at the beginning of Feb which coincides when this started. It could be folliculitis then

You can get coconut oil quite cheaply from a supermarket, usually in the healthfood aisle if not the oils section. I rub this on random scary bumps and scaly bits that appear on the body, face and scalp, and it has cured a few. It is mildly antifungal, I've read. So it may help at least soothe your scalp until you can get some further medical help.

I agree with pp suggesting coconut oil.
Make sure it is organic virgin.
I understand (sort of) why your GP is refusing your request to send in photos of your scalp, but why can’t you send in photos via an email?
It would give the doctors a better idea of what you have. Describing your ailment to anyone can’t be as effective as an emailed photo.
Best of luck

It sounds like shingles to me. I've seen it in scalps ( as a nurse) it's very painful.

Actually just read the last part of your post again- half asleep- no it's dermatological. Scrap the shingles.

Try coal tar shampoo

Speaking as a lifelong eczema sufferer - insist on a referral to a dermatologist - right now. Make a big song and dance about loosing your hair. GPS get bugger all training in Dermotology, and they are crap at it. The only problem is NHS Dermotology referrals take forever, so if you can possibly go private - do. It’s usually about 300 for a appointment and maybe a slightly raised private prescription fee, after which your GP can take over. If you’d like a recommendation for a london private derm, PM me. Most appts are online now anyway.

Agree with insisting on a dermatology appointment - or private if you can afford it.
Rose water can be beneficial for scalp conditions in the meantime until you get an appointment. Expensive online - but I use KTC, often in supermarkets or African or Asian food stores for £1 or less.

Could be fungal, you could ask for ketoconazole shampoo? Or I second coal tar. They need to see you, I work in a surgery and would have definitely had a look by now.

You can buy ketoconazole (Nizoral) shampoo in Tesco - it's alongside the usual medicated shampoos. Alternatively, they sell a higher-strength version OTC.

DS7 has had recurrent ringworm/fungal infections on his scalp for years. Even his dermatologist was baffled as to why it keeps coming back. Nizoral used regularly does a really good job of keeping it at bay.

Morning everyone, thanks for responding!

I’m heading to Boots to pick up your suggestions and use over the weekend. I’ll call my GP on Monday but have a feeling she’ll put the referral through without any further treatment as she doesn’t know what to do.

I emailed dermatologists to get the ball rolling privately (but hoping the NHS can sort it!)

I previously asked GP if I could email photos but the receptionist didn’t think it was necessary. Hoping they’ll let me this time around! The description could be a number of conditions. I have a depo injection appointment - will ask if they could take a look in person at the same time.