Itchy flaky scalp - tried everything please help

[Saurus72]

I've had a patch of itchy/flaky skin on my scalp for a couple of years - bottom right and side of my head. I feel like I've tried every possible cure to no avail, including:

• Head & Shoulders
• Vosene
• Body Shop Ginger anti-dandruff
• Philip Kingsley itchy/flaky scalp
• Nizoral (sp)

None of them have worked! At all! Does anyone have any bright ideas please, as I'm reaching the end of my rope. The itching drives me mad and the flakes of skin (boak - sorry) are just so annoying. I'd be grateful for any suggestions, TIA.

Have you tried sulphate free shampoo? It is the only thing that stops my scalp from itching.
I use currently Herbal Essenses Naked range. Have tried loads of different sulphate free ranges from £10 a bottle to £1 a bottle and they are work really well.

Have you had the GP check it?
Could be Psoriasis. Unfortunately if so, not much will cure it but there are various treatments you cn use to help it.

Not that I'm easily influenced by advertising or anything but have you tried t gel?

I get psoriasis and coal tar shampoo works for a bit, you can also get topical creams you leave on for an hour before washing off. Failing that get a steroid lotion from the GP

I was also going to suggest T Gel

T gel plus moo goo shampoo is the only thing that's worked for me with a severe itchy and flaky scalp for years and years and years.

Betacap!!!
I tried everything if it is large itchy flakes. Go to the doctor show them. It works you need to put it on twice a day for a week. Then you can cut it down and then only use it when it flares up. It truly saved me.
I think you can buy it from the chemists at about £15.
But seriously if you've tried nizoral (as this is the strongest thing you buy before seeing a gp ) you need to see what is causing it. Mine was caused by stress

Thanks so much. I did have a flare up of psoriasis of my arms a couple of years ago during the most stressful time of my work life ever. It completely went away by itself after a couple of months but maybe there's a remaining stubborn patch. Will try T-Gel and then if that doesn't work I will finally give in and go to the doctor. Not sure why I haven't really, just seems quite trivial I suppose.

Just go to your GP! It sounds like you've got a patch of eczema or seborrheic dermatitis on your scalp. I have it, and like a PP I treat it with betacap occasionally which is enough to keep it at bay.
Don't put up with it or mess about trying a hundred and one cures (T-gel actually hurt and made my scalp worse), see someone who knows what they're doing.
Mine is in patches all over, but mostly at the crown of my head and around my hairline. It can get 'crusty' or will produce big flaky patches. Does that sound familiar?

I've tried all the shampoos with no big improvement. GP gave me a steroid scalp lotion which has been a life changing miracle (a fat girl with dark hair always wearing black was not great when it looked like it'd been snowing). Took a few months to clear, that was 10yrs ago and now I only need it when I get stressed over something but I always have it in the house.

DD1 got me a shampoo from Lush, was honey based. Sorted within two days.Will ask her when she gets in.

Make sure to get the brown Tgel not the clear one. If no luck with that go to gp - the type of topical steroid mentioned by a pp can work wonders.

E45 shampoo - really works for me, and I've suffered for years! It's about £6, in Tesco or Boots.

Beta cap from gp lovely and cooling

I got a solid shampoo bar from Lush called Soak and Float.
Absolutely excellent, if a bit pungent, although I did grow to like the smell.
It sorted the itching and flakiness out straight away.

uk.lush.com/products/soak-and-float-0

Yes yes yes, the brown T-gel - the coal tar one. It is quite strong as you leave it on for a few minutes but it is really helping my scalp which was so itchy and scabby and horrible. My hair also feels clean which is a bonus!

Could try a shampoo without this stuff in it: Methylchloroisothiazolinone. I got this one Sainsbury: Happy Naturals Macadamia Oil and it cleared a similar scalp issue up pretty quickly. Often on offer, which is when I stock up...

I recommend hair treatment oil, from totally natural skincare, Whitby ( order via website).
Rub into scalp and leave overnight, then shampoo in the morning, with one of the shampoos recommended by others.

I tried a few drops of lavender oil massaged gently into scalp. Worked for me

Before you try alternative methods please get it checked by a doctor. I spent 2 years trying everything before I saw a doctor. I thought it wasn't doctor worth. He took one look at my scalp. Ears to base of neck and said betacap. Like a pp I wear a lot if black and I snowed it was bad.

Thank for all the advice/suggestions. I made a Dr appointment today (for 2 weeks today ), but also bought some T-Gel so I can try it in the meantime. So I should hopefully get it sorted soon.