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Original poster

Really bad itchy flaky scalp

28 replies

Itchyhead2020 · 08/01/2020 22:29

He has really bad red itchy flaky scalp. Has tried medicated shampoos (nizarol, capsal, etc) which help for a day or two. Tried apple cider vinegar felt like it really dried his scalp.

He has been to gp who prescribed betacap but he doesn't feel it helps.

Does anyone have any suggestions as it's really getting him down

OP posts:
eavers · 08/01/2020 22:35

Who is 'he'?

Dentinox shampoo for cradle cap?

StormBaby · 08/01/2020 22:41

I've been allergic to all shampoos since being pregnant with my second baby 15 years ago. I went through years of switching between all the medicated shampoos like tgel and a kids eczema shampoo, then they stopped working(I think they changed the recipe). For a few months I did an overnight soaking of coconut oil and this seems to have done something as for the last 6 months I've been able to use Aldi original dandruff shampoo and it's worked. This would've never been the case before. I'd only have to look at another shampoo bottle and I'd start itching!

Squigean · 08/01/2020 22:46

Eucerin shampoo (with urea) is good - medicate tends to be too shampoo is too harsh.

Eucerin also have a scalp treatment (also with urea) with helps a lot.

bluebell34567 · 08/01/2020 22:53

he needs to check his shower head if it is dirty and clean it(open it up).
there are shower heads with some ph balancing balls at amazon.

224as · 08/01/2020 22:58

I suffered with a bad itchy flaky scalp for months recently, using all the things you listed (nizoral, t-gel, betacap from the GP) and it just got worse and worse. As a last attempt to sort it I bought a scalp scrub (lots of hair companies do them, I bought one from boots from the umberto giannini range in an orange pot) not expecting much but it’s completely got rid of the itching and flakes! I was and still am amazed, a month on and I don’t have any flakey bits at all. I use it once a week now and regular shampoo the rest of the time.

Original poster
Itchyhead2020 · 08/01/2020 23:10

Sorry I had changed title and now realise I didn't specify he! He is my husband

OP posts:
Original poster
Itchyhead2020 · 08/01/2020 23:11

@StormBaby can you tell me did you just rub coconut oil in to your scalp and then wash off in the morning?

OP posts:
Original poster
Itchyhead2020 · 08/01/2020 23:12

@Squigean will buy that and see!

OP posts:
scoobdoob · 08/01/2020 23:14

Aveeno shampoo is great

Original poster
Itchyhead2020 · 08/01/2020 23:14

@bluebell34567 it happens no matter where he showers - home gym work etc

OP posts:
Original poster
Itchyhead2020 · 08/01/2020 23:15

@224as sounds like a really good idea I'll def get him to try that

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Original poster
Itchyhead2020 · 08/01/2020 23:15

@scoobdoob I bought him that before Christmas, helps a small bit he said

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Original poster
Itchyhead2020 · 08/01/2020 23:16

I do think he has some thing on his head as he does suffer with acne on his head too which he has to take medication for as well so I do think there is something microscopic there

OP posts:
cherryblossomgin · 08/01/2020 23:22

I've tried this for a client before and it seemed to help. 3-4 pumps of e45 and warm water mixed up until the cream is mostly incorporated. Pour directly on to scalp and either leave for a few minutes or leave in the hair all day It depends if we would be going out. Also Faith in Nature shampoo is very gentle. Maybe you are allergic to a product you are using?

Original poster
Itchyhead2020 · 08/01/2020 23:26

@cherryblossomgin thanks he will try anything at this stage so will try the E45

OP posts:
lonelyonee · 08/01/2020 23:27

Ginger shampoo is really good for this too. You can get it from the body shop. Hope things improve for your hubby :)

INeedNewShoes · 08/01/2020 23:29

How thick/stubborn are the scales? Are they stuck to his scalp?

I have scalp psoriasis and have similarly tried everything that medicated shampoos have to offer. No joy here yet...

Original poster
Itchyhead2020 · 09/01/2020 07:42

@lonelyonee unfortunately we don't have a boots near us but I'll keep an eye out for a ginger shampoo

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Original poster
Itchyhead2020 · 09/01/2020 07:43

@INeedNewShoes not thick or stubborn at all, just keeps coming back very quickly

OP posts:
StormBaby · 09/01/2020 13:26

@Itchyhead2020 yes I just rub it in to my scalp and leave over night. Quite messy but it has worked

Furball · 09/01/2020 17:08

Just keep an eye on the ingredients for SLS aka sodium lauryl sulfate it is a known irritant and extremely drying and many people myself included are sensitive to it, it foams well so many high street manufactures put it in their products even though they may claim to be for sensitive skin etc

So as per a PP I use 'faith in nature' which conveniently you can get from Oxfam or Holland and barratt

Kayjay2018 · 09/01/2020 17:16

Hi @itchyhead2020 I suffered really bad psoriasis for 5 years and tried everything I could to clear it. One that kind of worked was this shampoo bar from lush uk.lush.com/products/shampoo/soak-and-float

But what really cleared it us was dermalex for scalp psoriasis used daily and washing hair when needed with the most gentle shampoo without any additives. In addition, as mine was a stress flare up, actually changing things in my life helped immensely. It took a while but I have been clear for over 3 years now

PumpkinCounty · 09/01/2020 17:18

I bet a shampoo with selenium in will work.

CurbsideProphet · 09/01/2020 17:24

Oh I sympathise. Dermax is a good medicated shampoo. It's quite expensive compared to the tar based shampoos (around £10) so I buy it from the pharmacy. All the tar ones made mine worse.

I find that mine is better when I wash and dry it regularly. At least every other day. It gets worse when my hair is greasy. I also find blow drying better, as it stops the scalp from being warm and damp and ideal for a flaky scalp.

Faith in Nature is nice. Eucerin can also help. I find it best to rotate shampoos. I also have a silicone scalp massager type thing that I use to rub it, so I'm not transferring oils from my fingers.