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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To become a skinhead to beat the itch ?

34 replies

itchingbleedingmess · 19/01/2024 20:31

AIBU to shave my head entirely down to the skin in hope it alleviates my scalp itch ?

For years now I have suffered with a^^ very itchy scalp. To the point it keeps me awake at night for several hours at night.

I have been to the GP previously and was told "I can't see anything " after she examined my scalp . There are no open sores, no scaling / flaking .

Just this intense itch and burning sensation.

I have tried :
-over the counter shampoos such as Aphosyl which has 5% coal tar extract ,
-the usual head and shoulder type shampoos for dandruff
-phosphate and pharabens free shampoos

• a range of conditioners both wash out and leave in and oils incase the itching was due to scalp dryness

My hair comes out a fair bit when brushing although still plenty left . My hair is also extremely dry and feels like hay on my head and at this point I have also developed greys .

It is extra itchy when I am on my periods and my periods are awfully long , heavy and together with the itching of the scalp my life is hell for about 2-3 weeks out of each month . I have been referred for the bleeding but the wait is long .

I am not sure if it's related but I also have thick facial hair and body hairs .

In a nutshell , an ugly , hairy , itchy , bleeding , greying mess

Any help ?

OP posts:
JanefromLondon1 · 19/01/2024 20:33

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn due to privacy concerns.

rainbowhairchalk · 19/01/2024 20:35

Do you itch anywhere else, do you sweat a lot and have you had any blood tests?

junebirthdaygirl · 19/01/2024 20:35

Could you have an allergy test. I had a very itch scalp which was alleviated by staying off gluten. Its a shot in the dark but may be worth a try. I know how awful an itch is and you have my sympathy.

Original poster
itchingbleedingmess · 19/01/2024 20:36

Oo I have not heard of that before . Thank you @bleughgreen , I will try that.

At the moment all my greys have come through too and I desperately need to retouch my colour but I fear it making the itch worse

OP posts:
Lammveg · 19/01/2024 20:38

Nizoral shampoo is also helpful for some

Original poster
itchingbleedingmess · 19/01/2024 20:39

@rainbowhairchalk no I don't have the same intense itch anywhere else .
Occasionally an itch in the groin area but I have put that down to shaving as it's not constant and worse upon regrows and it's never to the same intensity.

OP posts:
Lammveg · 19/01/2024 20:39

I will say though what if you shave your hair and still itch? Might the hair growing back also be itchy?

I mean hair is hair so it'll grow back but I know how it feels to be desperate to do SOMETHING

CharlotteMakepeace · 19/01/2024 20:40

Balmonds scalp oil.

•	100% natural
•	Effective conditioning treatment for dry, itchy scalp
•	Rich in nourishing hemp seed oil

A totally natural hair & scalp treatment, formulated as an alternative to synthetic treatments and shampoos which can strip natural oils from the skin and dry out sensitive scalps.

This gorgeous blend of different oils - herb-infused oils of nettle, calendula and chickweed, stimulating tea tree and rosemary, incredibly nourishing hemp and borage oils - gives hair and skin exactly what they need to stay clean, healthy and hydrated. You can use Balmonds Scalp Oil as an intensive overnight conditioning treatment for the whole scalp or apply just to areas that need some extra care. Suitable for vegans.

NCA24 · 19/01/2024 20:41

You'll be allergic to something - just like me. GP was useless. Go to a dermatologist and get a proper skin test I did and it was life changing.

Heather37231 · 19/01/2024 20:42

How old are you? Could this maybe be a weird (peri) menopause symptom that HRT might help?

Original poster
itchingbleedingmess · 19/01/2024 20:42

@junebirthdaygirl an Allergy test is a good idea especially as I seem to have become more and more sensitive (as I have got older ) and I have to be really careful about what I shower with or put on my face etc as i get a weird burning sensation. Never any actual hives, rashes or significant allergy markers though.

Probably something I will have to explore privately as my current GP is unlikely to refer with any history of reactions .

OP posts:
rainbowhairchalk · 19/01/2024 20:42

itchingbleedingmess · 19/01/2024 20:39

@rainbowhairchalk no I don't have the same intense itch anywhere else .
Occasionally an itch in the groin area but I have put that down to shaving as it's not constant and worse upon regrows and it's never to the same intensity.

You should ask for a blood test and get them to check your lymphocytes. I've got the worst itchy head and, not to scare you, I've recently been diagnosed with a type of lymphoma. I don't believe I have scalp psoriasis (for one reason and another), my head is the itchiest part of my body then my stomach and legs. Might be worth checking out. I've started treatment for the itching and I'm crossing my fingers it solves my itchy head too!

KindleGirlie · 19/01/2024 20:43

I would get your blood sugars checked as a first port of call. Do antihistamines stop the itching?

PanickingAgainNow · 19/01/2024 20:47

I shaved all my hair off during lockdown. It felt great but looked shocking. I’d do it again in a heartbeat if I didn’t need to see people.

Original poster
itchingbleedingmess · 19/01/2024 20:47

rainbowhairchalk · 19/01/2024 20:35

Do you itch anywhere else, do you sweat a lot and have you had any blood tests?

Thank you for your response . Those are some interesting questions .

I do sweat but wouldn't classify it as excessive . I could for example go a few days with just deodorant without feeling too gross .

I have had a few blood tests . Vitamin D and ferritin and Haemoglobin have previously been low the few times I have had a Full blood count and I was sent away with iron and vitamin D tablets.

OP posts:
MumblesParty · 19/01/2024 20:48

Have you tried betnovate scalp application?

Original poster
itchingbleedingmess · 19/01/2024 20:55

KindleGirlie · 19/01/2024 20:43

I would get your blood sugars checked as a first port of call. Do antihistamines stop the itching?

Antihistamines seem to help a little but not sure whether it is in actual effect or a placebo effect as I feel I have done something about it . The results are only short lived too .

What are your thoughts?

I have had my sugar levels done and they seem fine , sometimes a bit on the low side but not diabetic .

OP posts:
JanefromLondon1 · 19/01/2024 20:56

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn due to privacy concerns.

Original poster
itchingbleedingmess · 19/01/2024 21:00

MumblesParty · 19/01/2024 20:48

Have you tried betnovate scalp application?

@MumblesParty , I haven't tried this but would be open to trying anything at this point.

Do you have experience of using this yourself ?

OP posts:
cardibach · 19/01/2024 21:02

I’ve had eczema/psoriasis on my scalp since I was in my 20s (I’m 59 now). Have been using MooGoo shampoo and conditioner (available online and sometimes at Holland and Barrett) since the summer and it’s gone. Worth a try?

geoffman · 19/01/2024 21:18

I can relate. I used Nizoral for years, it was the only thing that worked but then it stopped having the same effect. Was back at square one. I read on here about Body Shop ginger shampoo and was v sceptical..,but it worked and helped me massively. I've recently dyed my hair blonde and have been using a colour shampoo and my scalp is fucked again. Planning to grow the blonde out so that I can just go back to the ginger shampoo and use that all the time, cos it's the only thing that brings relief at the moment.

junebirthdaygirl · 20/01/2024 09:00

Sorry to be repeating myself but the gluten intolerance also caused itching in the groin area particularly.

Could you decide for 2 weeks to go gluten free completely and see if there is any change. Its definitely worth a try. I thought it was my shampoo etc but in the end it was the dam gluten as l am itch free now as long as l stay off it. Don't do anything else new those 2 weeks or you won't know what's helping.

junebirthdaygirl · 20/01/2024 09:01

And my GP hadn't a clue and was very surprised it was gluten. Never even occurred to him.

Startingagainandagain · 20/01/2024 09:06

Can you ask for a referral to a dermatologist?