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FFS! What could this insane itching in the back of my head be??

70 replies

Jacksmania · 27/07/2012 07:49

It's been driving me mental. My scalp in the back of my head itches insanely, but only in the back of my head. It's in that dip right below the bump of the occipital bone, above the hairline, only there. No itching in the rest of my head. I can't feel any bumps or bites or anything. And this has been going on forever, seriously - probably a few years now, but has gotten much worse in the last few weeks. I mentioned it to DH and he said he's been noticing it for a long time and says that I start scratching like a dog in the evening, when I first wake up in the morning, or when I wake up in the middle of the night.

It does not itch during the day - usually, anyway, but during the last few weeks, it has occasionally done. Once I start scratching, it's game over, I have to sit on my hands to force myself to stop. Thank goodness I can't have long nails for my job or I'd have no scalp left.

I don't have dandruff. No flakes, sparkly clean scalp. I had DH part my hair and try to see if there was any redness or anything, he said he couldn't see anything but made noises like a chimp grooming its young, the big idiot :o

I have good skin otherwise, no eczema or psoriasis.

I tried smearing 1% hydrocortisone cream on every night for a few nights, and it helped, but once I stopped, it came back. This morning I stumbled upon my stepdad's medicated shampoo for dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis, and tried that... not sure if it's done anything. Went out and bought dandruff shampoo today, just in case.

Aaaaaaaaarrrrrgghhhhhhhh! HELP!!!

(Will book GP app't next week...)

Oh and I don't know how relevant it is but I should ring the "not in UK" bell.

OP posts:
hellymelly · 27/07/2012 22:54

I was convinced I had nits last week as my head was so itchy but it was my new (lovely organic expensive) shampoo.

Jacksmania · 28/07/2012 02:16

Well, that's just shit! Angry for you.

OP posts:
Julialyne · 06/08/2012 01:22

You can get something in that area called Neurodermatitis. Ir'a usually a sign of stress. A pharmacist should beable to recommend a shampoo or a cream to help.

jodir · 20/01/2015 20:55

Hi Jacksmania
I have the same exact scalp itch problem for years....Did u ever find the cause or source of the problem or something that cured it? I had a whiplash injury and it seems when my neck is worse itching is worse too...also notice reduced hearing in left ear. please help...getting desperate to resolve all this.

nooyearnooname · 20/01/2015 21:04

You're not using bloody alberto balsam are you? in a money saving effort i bought some instead of my usual shampoo and conditioner and after a couple of weeks the back of my head was red raw from all the itching and scratching. took another few weeks after i'd stopped using it for the irritation to die down. vile stuff.....

EvansOvalPiesYumYum · 20/01/2015 21:19

OP I had a similar thing, resulting (I'm convinced) from a particularly nasty mosquito bite received on one of the Greek Islands. It was driving me insane, itching, scratching, bleeding, dry skin seemed to be spreading.

Went to the GP and he prescribed Betnovate Scalp Application. Honestly, it really did the trick. Almost instant relief (within days) but you have to persevere for it to be healed completely. Takes several weeks. (If you don't keep up the treatment, the condition returns.

Hope this helps Smile

EvansOvalPiesYumYum · 20/01/2015 21:57

Bloody Hell - another Zombie resurrection. Is this a new MN game or something? Confused

nooyearnooname · 20/01/2015 22:08

gah I only replied because it came up in active...didn't RTFT obvs...

Strictlyison · 20/01/2015 22:18

It could be a fungal infection, such as contact dermatitus. I get it on the hair line on forehead and in eyebrows occasionally and once on my face. It is not visible but can be very itchy. I use a special shampoo and anti fungal soap, and cream on prescription. Applying moisturiser or conditionner can make it worst for me.

OttiliaVonBCup · 20/01/2015 22:24

It would have been so much better to have nits, OP. Easy to diagnose ,they are.

You comb then out and you're done. till the next time

Now you have no idea what plague you have.

OttiliaVonBCup · 20/01/2015 22:24

Oh fuck.
Got caught by the zombie.
Sorry!

TooMuchCantBreathe · 20/01/2015 22:33

Jodir, if you have pain and reduced hearing go to your gp, itching should be the least of your concerns but mention it too incase it's actually a nerve thing.

Oldieandgoldie · 20/01/2015 22:39

It's called 'itchy scalp syndrome', and yes, the Betnovate Scalp Application (from GP) is the best. It gives almost instant relief. Smile

(Although a zombie thread, I hope this might help others)

Kittykat7 · 21/01/2015 12:20

There is something called neuro dermatitis found in that area. It can be due to stress. Ask a pharmacist if there is a shampoo or cream that you can put on a available OTC.

TheyLearnedFromBrian · 21/01/2015 12:25

I can't imagine it's headlice as if they were untreated for so long, SURELY you'd end up utterly infested and itching more and more, and in other places too.

Fallingbodyparts · 20/03/2016 10:17

Just curious as to the outcome..

MightyNiRo · 28/02/2017 23:38

Sorry to bump this thread. But ive googled my problem and got this result.
it seems to be like youre describing...
Wondering what is it actually. Im afraid of some ugly worm under my scalp...
If anyone had that and knows whats the treatment let me know

HFairnie · 08/05/2017 14:02

I've had the same problem for years. And it ended up being a gluten allergy. People who have celiac's disease have reported that one of the side effects is back of the head is itchy. But take gluten away and the itch disappeared. Food for thought 💕

HFairnie · 08/05/2017 14:06

It was for sure not head lice. If you went that long without treatment you would have a infestation on your head. And it only wouldn't itch morning or night. It would itch all day. A hairdresser would have noticed it as well.

112653np · 08/10/2019 18:08

I have been having itchy back of head also. It started sept 3rd 2019 first it was top of back ,back of head,ears,and underarms. Now it is back of head. Had a A.N.A. test done showed I have autoimmune disease called Sjourgrens syndrome symptons dry mouth and itching

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