Can anyone help please: gritty, greasy scalp driving me mad!

[Woollynumnah]

It's not the sort of thing I want to bother a doctor about but my scalp has been driving me mad recently.

I don't know what has caused it but I'm in my mid-to- late fifties and the skin on my forehead is very dry so maybe this is a post-menopausal issue?

I wash my hair every second day using the purest shampoos I can find. I rinse well.

Anyway, first day of hair wash, scalp feels fine but that night my scalp is itchy like it's turned in to hard grains of salt, some areas of scalp worse than others.

The following day (so day after hair wash) it will gradually get itchier and itchier with salt grain flakes but by the end of the day they have turned in to a thick white creamy, greasy substance on my scalp which feels horrible. There are actual scabs on my head in other places. Urgh.

I've tried leaving my hair longer between washes but if anything it makes it worse.

I've added apple cider vinegar to rinsing water and although it feels nice at the time, it doesn't stop the symptoms.

I'd like to know please if anyone else has this?

And if so, what has helped to treat it please?

Or psoriatic arthritis even!

walkindermatology.com/patient-education/seborrheic-dermatitis/

This has a picture, if you think it might be seborrheic dermatitis.

Hi OP, firstly commiserations - sounds uncomfortable.

I'm menopausal and had similar, mainly on back of my scalp where I think it was more sweaty. I changed from a synthetic to a feather/down pillow. Cooler and I don't get the crystals anymore.

But like pp's I think it's worth getting it checked by GP in case there's an underlying issue. Good luck

With the combination of scalp, nails and joints, I would definitely want to be checked for psoriasis/psoriatic arthritis.

( Just back from work.) Thank you again everyone for taking the time to post; I really appreciate it.

You have all persuaded me that it's ok to go to the doctor with this and thanks to your advice, I have a list of potential conditions that I can ask her about!

I was tested for inflammation markers in my blood about two years ago, so I doubt if it's arthritis. But thank you I will definitely flag it up with psoriasis.

And good call re: feather pillow thank you Thamesis and for your kind words.

That picture of seborrheic dermatitis looks horrific Thecurtainsofdestiny! Thankfully my scalp isn't as bad as that, you can't really see anything
through my hair, but (sorry this is horrid) the white layer of whatever it is collects in my finger nails when I scratch - yurgh - which I try not to do. Will raise it with doc though, thank you.

Mumsnet is really great for a question like this! Thanks all and have a good evening!

Psoriatic arthritis doesn't show up with markers in your blood which is why it can be difficult to get taken seriously by a GP.

Menopause can be a trigger for psoriasis kicking off.

Another vote for Nizoral (I got it from Amazon, which was quick & easy)
I had permanently itchy scalp which was also, I noticed in photos, very bright pink, and my hair was definitely thinning.
I used Nizoral for a few washes and it improved enormously

I have had the exact same waxy white dandruff condition for years (no grit or flakes just the white wax) and the only thing that keeps it in check is leaving Nizoral on for a while (prescribed by GP) then scratching it off in the bath - on a regular basis. Yuk, I know. By blowing dry my hair upside down, it stops it being so greasy in the day too as it dries properly all over.

@RandomMess

Psoriatic arthritis doesn't show up with markers in your blood which is why it can be difficult to get taken seriously by a GP.

Menopause can be a trigger for psoriasis kicking off.

OK! Noted thank you RandomMess!

Glad I am not the only one but sorry you are suffering too Italyanyday

Definitely going to order some Nizoral via Amazon, thanks GiantKitten

It does sound similar to seborrheic dermatitis. If it does turn out to be that (and I would check with GP cos of your other issues), then it's a chronic condition unfortunately. I have it (self-diagnosed but GP agrees that's what it is), and it's on my face too. I hate it because my scalp gets so greasy and itchy but also flakes (I know the horrible feeling of having the greasy gunk with dead skin cells down your nails if you scratch your head after a few days of not washing your hair.) People will try to tell that your scalp is irritated and that's why you should stop washing it as much, but I've tried that and it made it ten times worse.

Nizoral didn't do much for it, surprisingly, despite the good rep, but Selsun which contains selenium sulphide and which you can get at some pharmacy counters sorts it out for me. It's a bitch, though, cos it stinks and leaves your hair in bad condition, so I tend to only use it to get a bad bout of it under control.

The active ingredient piroctone olamine is pretty good too, it's in one of the Head and SHoulders. It's not as good as the Selsun in terms of helping the scalp issue and isn't too great for your hair either but it does help as a regular shampoo.

If it is seb derm, you'd need to be careful what styling products and conditioners you use. Some oils can make it ten times worse.

If you go on Reddit there is a subreddit called "SebDerm". Lots of advice on there. Certain supplements help, I take fish oil. But you have to avoid certain types of oils. I stay hydrated, and attempt to avoid gluten (which has an amazing affect) but I'm buggered if I can be arsed to go totally gluten-free just for a skin condition. THe times I've stuck to gluten free for a couple of weeks in the past though it has made a big difference.

Of course, it may not be seb derm. I would definitely get it checked out. You shouldjn't have to suffer with that type of thing, it can drive you mad and it can be improved.

White wax is a very good way of describing it actually Italyanyday

I had a similar problem a few years ago, tried all sorts, eventually went to the doctor and it was infected eczema. I was prescribed a liquid equivalent of betnovate and it cleared up in days. How I wished I had seen the doctor sooner!

Thank you so much for that amazingly thorough summary CurlyhairedAssassin; I really appreciate it. You have given me loads of practical pointers there and it's great knowing from your post, and this entire thread in fact, that if its not x, I can go on to investigate y!

I also tried not washing my hair as often btw, and agree that it made it so much worse!

Interesting that you mention diet. Mine deteriorated during lockdown and I have been eating far too much sugar. Embarking on a six week healthy eating plan before Christmas though, and drinking more water, so it will be interesting to see if that makes any difference.

Thanks again.

@Lazyonthesofa

I had a similar problem a few years ago, tried all sorts, eventually went to the doctor and it was infected eczema. I was prescribed a liquid equivalent of betnovate and it cleared up in days. How I wished I had seen the doctor sooner!

Another good suggestion to add to the growing list! Thank you Lazyonthesofa.

My hair is pretty rubbish at the best of times (fine, thin, quick to go greasy) but this condition leaves it looking particularly dull and limp. Not sure if other sufferers have hormonal skin but I still gets spots in my late 30s. I haven't tried changing my diet but I will try gluten free and drink more water. I don't have sores or irritated skin - just a layer of grey white wax that literally scrapes off under the nail and comes back again very quickly. Yuk!

I have this too. Interested to see if anything helps.

Vosene for kids has teatree oil and it’s revolutionary. And cheap!

Sorted out my sons slightly damp smelling scalp when he was little

I’d try that first incase it’s a fungal thing

Thanks for most recent replies! Will look out for Vosene thank you!

Hope this thread has helped Twilightbrightstar

Funnily enough Italyanyday, I was pleased that with my hair being drier and more bouncy than usual post menopause, that I only needed to wash it every other day, but then along came this issue