Itchy scalp help

[PippiL]

I suffer from itchy flaky scalp, but have kept it under control with the ginger shampoo from bodyshop for ages now.

I wash it every day and it was getting into terrible condition, so decided to Start washing every other day. I'm using batiste dry shampoo on the off days.

Coincidentally I also tried a sodium thingy free shampoo, (for 2 washes) which gave me a really itchy scalp.

Now I have returned to the ginger shampoo, but it is still really itchy on the wash days, the non wash days are much better.

Please, in all your infinite mumsnet beauty wisdom, help!
What should I do?
Ps all my clothes are now white with dandruff!

I have the same trouble....I use T-gel shampoo but I wash my hair everyother day too.
I've just started using a spray in conditioner which I'm hoping will help....I use hair gel as I have short spikey hair so I need a conditioner to get rid of the crap!!!
It's soo annoying to be scratching all day, I'm paranoid I have nits....(I work with young kids lol)

Have you tried the naked range - anti dandruff? Really works on mine
Or soak and float from Lush

barefoot botanicals shampoo is brilliant

Can't help sorry but was just about to post the same question so I'll hang about to see what answers you get. Mine started being itchy when I stopped using sulphate shampoos, not sure if it's linked. I use a lot of conditioner now (Tresemme Naturals) and more styling products than I used to (for curly hair) so it must be one of those.

Hope someone has some advice, it's a nuisance isn't it?

I tried Head and Shoulders Itchy Scalp shampoo and conditioner but I think it made problem worse tbh......

My doctor prescribed betnovate scalp, which is steroid based, as a short term fix, then suggested I use nizoral after that. It's ok at the moment so it seems to be working. Head and shoulders makes it worse for me definitely.

Go to the docs. I have this and got something which works a treat. Also another mumsnetter on a similar thread recommended L'oreal Elvive (dark blue bottle) and that has worked for me and was on special at Asda on Sat (two bottles for four quid)

The sodium whoojimawhatsit free shampoo I used was the happy hair one. So annoyed it has made things worse.

Boots expert flaky scalp shampoo was the only other gentle shampoo that ever worked.

It is frustrating cos the non shampoo days seem to be fine, and I'm really pleased with the batiste.

I think I need a treatment to help the sore bits I am scratching, and then back to my ginger shampoo. Might see the doc about betnovate.

Also paranoid about headlice, but have checked and am 99.9 sure that is not it!

Head and shoulders works, but feels "strong"!

I have this and it actually keeps me awake at night the itching is so bad.

The pharmacist sold me a bottle of stuff for chronic dandruff but I have neither dandruff nor a flaky scalp just something like little bites but I don't have nits.

The itching is awful and yes the Head and Shoulders Itchy scalp has done nothing and T Gel sends my hair into instant dreadlocks. I cannot get even a wide toothed comb through it after using that stuff.

Try Nizoral, it should help

Boots Expert shampoo and conditioner definitely makes my head less itchy. Still get the flakes though.

I have very short hair so don't have that problem with Tgel....I just don't like the smell of it....I might try that Elvive one tho

Ruby red, I really feel for you. It is driving me mad.

I have even tried rubbing mild hydrocortisone into the reddest bits, it doesn't help either really!

My DD has had this and she got some tar type shampoo from the doctor on prescription. Not sure what is was though.

It might be worth taking a Piriton if the itching gets too much.

Another tactic is to rub olive oil on your scalp and leave it on for the evening, with tin foil wrapped around your head to create a bit of warmth. Then wash it off with something gentle afterwards.

I had the same thing- I bought Eucerin after trying and failing with most of the 'name' brands. Two weeks in and the itchyness has gone completely. I got it from Amazon but you ight find it cheaper elsewhere. hth

here

Pippil

What the hell is it? I remember as a child I had chickenpox that spread to my scalp and it was strangely satistifying picking the scabs out and then they healed.

This feels like endless chicken pox but not so obvious. My Dh says he can see the 'spots' when he looks closely but not from a foot away.

It is worse at night when I have my head on the pillow as it gets hot.

Ruby red, are you sure you don't have lice? My dd had them and she had sort of spots where the buggerrs were biting. It is reall hard to spot them though.

Mine is just all over itchiness and big flakes, I think the red bits are where I'm scratching.

It is not lice. I had my hair cut two weeks ago and my hairdresser could find nothing but he was at a loss as to what to use.

Might pop to the doctors.

Sounds like you do need a steroid. Think I will be ringing the doc tomorrow too!

Philip kingsley itchy flakey scalp shampoo. Best. Thing. Ever. I buy it in 1l bottles and have used it for 2 yrs with only minor deviations. It is really really good. He also does a scalp tonic which is great to settle your scalp when it's in a bad form.

You can buy a travel size pack to try it out. Inreally recommend it

Whoa, that philip Kingsley stuff is well out of my price range!

I was similar till I quit sulfates. I agree sulfate-free shampoos are not great- at least the ones I tried. I usually 'wash' with conditioner and once a week I use a mild shampoo. At the mo it's Tresemme Naturals, but I like the Aussie Miracle Moist too (conditioner, not shampoo).

Just a little heads up, if your going to use head and shoulders please use a very nourishing treatment, h&s anti-dandruff actually strips colour out of hair :o its extreamly damaging!

If you go to the doctors you can get prescription shampoo's and tonics, which 99% of the time will work wounders. Most shelf shamp's and conditioners are not going to do what they say they do.

If you have a good salon near by pop down and talk to a stylist see what produts they have to recommend also. Its important to change brands every few months as your hair/scaplt gets used to the different ingredients in the product and can eventually cause psoriasis.

Also rubyred you may have psoriasis, red itchy flacking scalpt sore and slightly tender to touch mainly around hairline and nape ... Those are the main symptoms.