What could be causing itchy scalp?

[VengefulKitty]

I am having real ARGH! moments.

For the past week my scalp has been getting increasingly itchy - particularly at night. To the point where I am constantly scratching until it hurts.

Kinda like thrush on my head.

No nits, have a tiny bit of dry scalp but had that life long and never been an issue before and have washed hair (washing relieves it for a little while)... I even had to get up and wash my hair at 12.30am on Tuesday it was that bad. It didn't take the itch away fully, but relieved it a little enough to sleep.

So any ideas? It is driving me to distraction!

No one?

I'd go to the GP. I think several things can cause itchiness - including a type of yeast infection thing, perhaps you need an anti fungal shampoo. (I don't know from experience, I just googled)

It also mentioned stress as a possible cause - is that likely?

Thank you for replying.

Stress not so much a factor now, that dissipated a couple of months ago I'd say.

I think if it doesn't start to ease or go then yes I will have to go to GP. My head hurts from the scratching!

Forgot to say - have done a quick google and can't find anything matching symptoms so far.

I would guess it can become a bit of a vicious circle - the more you scratch the more itchy and sore it gets -more scratching etc.

Hope its better soon

It can be hormonal around ovulation. Some birth control.
or a shampoo - i had to trow an almost full bottle away.

I haven't changed any products or habits. I have however had 2 periods this year, whereas I haven't had one for about 2 years because of the pill I am on...

Although searching more I have found someone who asked a question on a medical site with same symptoms as me and she was told to go to GP as may need prescription only shampoo.

Psoriasis?

Somebody on here recommended Nizorel to my for my scalp psoriasis and it has been a godsend; I combine it with the Boots Expert dry scalp lotion and my scalp has been much, much better since I started using them. Much better than the T-gel and polytar stuff I was using before (although not as nice smelling).

I have had this - I have tried changing shampoo and conditioner, checking for nits etc - nothing

What I have done is: changed to Head and Shoulders shampoo and conditioner. Completely stopped using hair mousse and use only gel. Increased my hairwashing frequency.

It seems to have worked - I am planning on reintroducing a different shampoo in the next couple of weeks and seeing what the effect is.

I'll be going back to the above sharpish if the itch comes back - it was AWFUL!

Psoriasis doesn't seem to fit - I don't think (well, I can't see or find) any scales and there is no redness.

I have seen Nizorel mentioned on some of the sites I have looked at - will give it a go before GP.

The itching seems to be in a thick band in a semi circle just under the crown area. It also feels like some pimples or something there.

Can't stop scratching! Off to Boots/chemist or so tomorrow to find this Nizoral.

Oh - just a thought when you mentioned pimples - I had shingles on my scalp, they were very prickly and itchy. Most google images show them as blistery, but they vary a lot, mine were just red and bumpy.

Oh!

I've had itchy flaky scalp for years now - I scratch so much it bleeds ends up with greasy roots and smelly head . I've been using Boots expert dry scalp shampoo but you could try neem oil shampoo - it's fab stuff. I've tried polytar, tgel etc to no avail and I am sensitive to smells so hate polytar type stuff.

Definitley hormone related as much worse when pg or due af.

at scalp shingles images!

I have just taken some shots of my scalp at different places, zoomed in and cannot see anything so hoping that it may be hormonal or some such that can be treated with the shampoos

Sorry VK - should have warned you about pics. I think they only show the worst cases though - mine weren't that grim.

Hope the shampoos give you some relief

Honey,

I had this about 9 months after DS1 was born. The itchng started, then got worse. I too was washing at strange hours to alleviate the itching, whch then returned when the scalp dried.

I ended up going to the Drs twice in tears as I would move my head and scales would fall. The skin weeped and smelt too.

They gave ms prescription shampoos but only until I returned the third time to a different (female) doctor who could see the physical and emotional pain I was in, referred me to the dermatology Dept at Bristol hospital.

Acute seborrhaic dermatitis was diagnosed and I was given a tar tube called Cocois that I had to apply at night to the scalp. The next morning I washed it off with prescribed Nizoral shampoo. Then when the scalp was still damp, applied a thin layer if liquid cortisone jet once.

It cleared up within two applications and it changed my life. They said they had no answers as to why I had it, but interestingly it returned to a tiny extent 9 months after DS2 was born, but as I still had the lotions and potions, I used them once and it was gone.

Mine was severe and painful, but what I am tryng to show is that there are cures if you ask for help, if it gets that bad. It might not be what I had but hope this helps.

Best wishes

vk this time of year all sorts of bits of me are dry and itchy. try to get a very mild shampoo with no sls or strong detergents in.

Oh my God Vengeful, I've got exactly the same thing. It's been about a week now and it's so bad it's waking me up in the middle of the night. I'm scratching non-stop which I'm sure is making it worse.

I had put it down to being pregnant and was just going to try and find some E45 shampoo but I think I'll try Nizoral too.

Hello. I have an itchy sensation at night sometimes aswell.alot of the posts here are directed towards women. And i am aware this seems to be a site for moms or moms to be.
can anyone provide a little advice to a man?

There are lots of reasons you might be experiencing an itchy scalp, check out this post:

www.odylique.co.uk/blog/treat-itchy-scalp-naturally/