Really dry flakey scalp

[fl0b0t]

I've been having problems for about a year with an itchy dry flakey scalp. It's really annoying!

It's not dandruff- it's not a light dusting of dry skin that sits in my hair but instead, a stressfully itchy scalp. If I do scratch it (I'm human!!), large 4-5mm across flakes of skin come away. Oh, and the itching isn't headlice either (I check regularly as friends kids always have them!!). I have tried long stints of using Head and Shoulders and their special "itchy scalp" shampoo but with no luck.

It doesn't seem to be related to the shampoo I use (I didn't change it before the problem started, and I've changed shampoo a few times since), and there have been no other major changes in detergents, lifestyle etc.

Seems a bit silly to ask a dr about- anyone have any ideas? I'm happy to try shampoos or any sensibile suggestions?!

Thanks x

Pop and see your GP, it could be a fungal infection so it may help to see a dermatologist (or somewhere).

Someone not somewhere. DOh!

I get a flaky scalp sometimes, and find nizoral usually helps. Anti dandruff shampoos don't make any difference.

Have you tried neutrogent t gel. The medicated one? Sorry to keep banging on about it but it worked wonders for me after about a week of using it 3 times a week

I used to get psoriasis of the scalp. Didn't know what it was until a really bad attack sent me to the doctor - I mostly treated it with T-gel. If your scalp's getting scabby, it could be that. Psoriasis is generally triggered by stress.

Cool thanks for that everyone. Will try the t-gel shampoo first but will see the dr if not. igetcrazytoo (great name)- tell me more about nizoral! :)

let us know how you get on. Mine's also psoriasis.
Nizoral didn't help me, but as with the T gel I probably didnt give it a good enough go. I used to have a tube of nasty goo which had to be applied to damp hair then washed out an hour later, fussy and smelt terrible! I now have calcipotriol solution which is also good but not as good as the t gel!

Head and Shoulders does nothing for me but Vosene is great.

Philip kingsley itchy flakey scalp shampoo. I sound like a broken record recommendingbthis stuff but it's the only shampoo that i use (and my dh too). You can getbit in john lewis plus lots of on line places like qvc etc. it's fantastic and i will never. Use anything else.

Ps all my family have psoriasis and i reckon i have patches of it, butbthe pk keeps it under control.

Your comment just now has made me bookmark the shampoo, FBB!
and [hope]

Domtry it, see if you can get a sample/travek size first to check it helps. The full size bottle isn't cheap but i now buy. The 1l pump action bottles which last me and dh over 6 months - costs about £45 but soooo worth it. It has cleared up his dandruff too ( had proper white flakes on his shoulders all the time but no longer)

I used to get a horrible white greasy layer of dead, itchy skin/dandruff on my salp beforenusing it.it would itch so much that i would sit in bed scratching off layers of the stuff and flicking it fromunder my nails It's completely gone now and my head feels normal.

Apart from ren sea slat body srub and clarins multi active day cream, it's the only product that i am faithful to for more than 2 years.

You could try using a sulphate free shampoo or tea tree oil shampoo

While it may not be lice, I found using a good lice comb really helped my scalp (alongside products already listed). Combing it out with warm sweet almond oil -- the oil and combing together really helped clear things up and allow the products to work properly I think.

Also, I find it feels really nice as it's like really big scratching, but does a lot less damage than my finger nails.

Oooh that was good, I bought some T-gel shampoo a couple of weeks ago and it's been good! Apart from the fact it really smells horrible, it seems to be slowly doin the job. I think in a couple of weeks of using it once to twice a week it will sort out my horrible itchy head! The itchiness has mostly gone already, but the skin is still a bit flakey!