Help my DH and his terrible scalp!

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DH has always had dandruff but since getting chicken pox last year his scalp never seems to have recovered. It is constantly itchy around the crown and his scratching has left it red, sore and bumpy. And the hair is starting to become more sparse too. He uses Head & Shoulders which I have always wanted to incinerate as I think it's terrible stuff. Any suggestions? TGel? Nizoral? Philip Kingsley? TIA.

he needs to see GP to get it looked at, might be infected partic if follicular damage occurring

Yes I know, but he won't go. I've suggested he show it to a pharmacist as it's less of a big deal then, but can't see that happening either.

I was just going to say the same as BALD.

I watched Embarrassing Bodies a while back and someone had infected follicles, god it was awful.

INSIST he stops using Head & Shoulders. Tis vile, vile stuff. My DH used it for years because he thought he had dandruff (itchy, flaking scalp) and it just made things worse...he actually has psoriasis. It also took several GP visits to get that diagnosed as first chap was insistent that DH just had an allergic reaction (which he had had for around 10 years??!). Also worth noting that psoriasis can be triggered by a trauma to the body - which would perhaps tie in with the incidence of chicken pox your poor DH suffered last year.

DH has just started using Aveda Shampure this weekend and has already felt an improvement with much calmer scalp. It came recommended on here actually.

barefoot botanicals sos shampoo is great - if this doesnt improve within a few days, then go to doctor, could be something serious.
Otherwise if his skin has become overly sensitized then he shouldnt use anything with SLS in it (well, nobody should anyway), and that includes handwash, shower gel, etc

I used Philip Kingsley shampoo and scalp tonic and it does work really well.

Yy to ditching H&S. (My hairdresser told me they use it for stripping out hair dye which shows how harsh it is!)

I use Elvive Intensive Anti-Dandruff shampoo (dark blue and orange bottle - can get it from Boots.com) most days. Once or twice a week I use Tgel. I've found this combination has hugely improved my scalp. But I would definitely get him to the GP to check for infection first.

Philip kingsley no scent shampoo won't irritate his condition any further. He really should go to the doctor but if he absolutely refuses maybe try the phillip kingsly scalp mask and scalp toner - it totally sorted out my flakey scalp and now I just use the toner to keep my scalp healthy.

Also - tell him to stop scratching!!!! or sellotape mittens onto his hands!!

Is it psoriasis?

We tried everything with DHs scalp - he wouldn't go to GP either. We thought initially it was psoriasis but eventually we have decided it is seborrheic dermatisitis (sp?) and since I am already a Nioxin bore I found out on their website that you can get a Scalp Therapy set but only in the US. Cue Ebay as we had nothing left to lose. Cleared it up within a week and more importantly it hasn't come back. Except for the time he thought he was "cured" and he didn't take it away with him (works away for a month) and it started to get a bit red and itchy by the time he came back. He hasn't made that mistake again. He uses the cleanser, scalp remedy and the serum although I suspect he doesn't really need the serum now as that was just to give it a bit of a boost at the start. Tis brilliant stuff and his head doesn't now constantly smell of unwashedness which it did before. Bleurgh! His pillow was always gross.

Also - tell him to stop scratching!!!!

I do -and the dc! Easier said than done though, I appreciate.

Had'nt thought of psoriasis, it's not especially scaly, more bumpy and sore.
Thanks for all your thoughts.

*dermatitis - this was not the bit I was wondering about the spelling of btw

If the GP does not come up with anything medical wise, you might want to get him to try Cynthia Sylvia Stout shampoo from Lush. It's pricey-ish (£8 for a decent sized bottle) but works a treat on dandruff, is very gently and most importantly smells of beer (in a good way).