Itchy waxy scalp & hair loss - any ideas?

[FuncaMunca]

Does anyone have experience of a scalp issue like this? Sorry it's gross but my scalp is regularly itchy and when I scratch I see a white/yellowish waxy substance on my nails. And often hard tiny white balls, like little deposits. At the same time I seem to losing lots of hair all the time - it's falling out noticeably during the day and loads when I shower or brush my hair. Which is really distressing because my hair is really fine and sparse as it is. This condition seems to come in waves eg it'll flare up every few months.

I'm trying to get a referral to a dermatologist but does anyone know what the issue might be? Not dandruff I don't think because there are no flakes. I wash my hair every day bit so change up my shampoo regularly.

Help

It sounds like cradle cap - adults get it too!

Have you had any other symptoms? Hair loss can be a result of thyroid problems, anaemia, or some autoimmune issues.
I have autoimmune thyroid disease and I noticed an increase in shedding after I had the covid vaccine - probably a coincidence though as it happens every so often if I get a bit run down.

Sounds like it could be a fungal infection

That's interesting I hadn't considered thyroid. I don't believe I'm anemic (how does one know?) although I do have low blood pressure and get dizzy sometimes. I also have very dry skin and am probably dehydrated a lot of the time. I'm working on that!

Oh man if that's true hopefully a specialist can identify it and treat it easily

Yep. Seborrheic dermatitis. I highly recommend sebclair. Can buy it on amazon.

Seborrheic dermatitis it's called.

Tar based shapoos and nizoral can be efective. And also no sugar as it can trigger symptoms to go worse.
At least that what I experienced.

I've suffered from this awful waxy dandruff for 15 years and I've found a cure for it after discovering it on a blog. For me, it turns out it has been caused by hard water. It was at its very worst in North London - known for hard water. Now I wash my hair with Nizoral once a week but I also use a mild shampoo the rest of the time and, crucially, rinse the shower water/ shampoo off with a jug of cheap sparkling water (or still mineral water) warmed up in the microwave. The condition has improved by 85% overnight. A water softener apparently works but I'm not able to get one of those at the moment.

Interesting. I live in a very hard water area too. We are looking to get a softener installed because the limescale kills all our appliances. I always suspected that it wasn't doing my skin any favours...