Extreme dandruff

[Feckinlego]

Have tried every over the counter shampoo with no help. Starting to think it's maybe scalp psoriasis. Any recommendations?

Only thing that's ever worked for me is Nizoral shampoo. It's cheapest from Amazon. You use it every day then just maintenance.

If its scalp psoriasis have you tried vichy dercos shampoo?

Seconding Nizoral
https://amzn.to/44Gs6pc

Or Selsun, (now hard to get) which which has the same active ingredient as the Vichy.

But have you tried both of those?

I'd tried about twenty treatments/shampoos, some OTC and some prescribed by GP/Dermatologist.

Only thing I've found that works is Mediceuticals scalp kit. It has three different bottles in it, costs an arm and a leg, but it saved my scalp and my hair (the plaques had become so thick that my hair stopped growing and was falling out awfully - it was horrible).

Yes I use the vichy coz I can't get selsun - it isn't as strong but you use it for 4 weeks.

Nizarol all the way! I have it stocked in my cupboard all of the time but only use it when I really need to, a couple of washes and find it cures the problem.

Nizoral or selsun had not helped at all. But how have I not heard of the vichy!! I'll definitely try that. Thanks.

I’m trying a new product based on coconut oil called Capry. I can’t remember how or where I came across it but you can use it both for dandruff and for sebhorraic dermatitis. I used on around my ears and my hairline first and it seems to have helped with the scaly skin and itching. I’ve only washed my hair with it once so far. It’s left it very soft but I think it’s a bit early to tell how effective it is against seb derm.

I got it through a promotion where you only pay for P+P so it’s definitely worth a try.

Ps I’m not connected to the company at all.

I have scalp psoriasis, have tried all the tar based shampoos. But the best thing out there (and it even smells divine) is Body Shop's ginger shampoo. Changed my life - I'm evangelical about it!

I second this. I have had scalp psoriasis for years but since I started using this (and also stopped drinking any alcohol, just for full disclosure) my scalp has cleared up completely.

Use 2 shampoos and alternate each wash. Eg head and shoulders and t gel.

no hair products. No dry shampoo. These cause irritation and dandruff. Dry hair with hairdryer at roots.. Do not air dry.

if that doesn’t work look at the eucerin stuff for psoriasis

I got the ginger shampoo on a recommendation, used it once or twice, but can't actually abide the smell! Definitely didn't give it a proper go. Threw it out unfortunately 😪

I never blow dry, always air dry! Didn't know this was a thing! Have recently stopped the dry shampoo. Don't use products really, hairspray the odd time for work is all.

Yes do not air dry - hair dry

Hii guys I'm gonna ask a question as I think this thread is relatable to me right now I've never suffered with dandruff or anything like that but recently I've been getting my whole head bleached at the salon to be fully blonde and ever since then I've noticed loads of flakey bits in my hair is this dandruff? I thought cause the bleach literally burns when it's put on that it's dried my scalp out or something but yeah flaky scalp and it's itchy too???

I have found Head and Shoulders Clinical Strength to be good. Has selenium in it. I still have small flakes but nothing like the big ones I used to have. I no longer worry about visible big flakes in my hair. Selsun also good but quite runny so prefer the H&S one.

Sorry, just noticed selsun doesn't work for you so maybe selenium isn't the way to go for you. It's crap isn't it? My poor DD has inherited the problem too and it drives her mad. Selenium not working as well for her as it is for me. Hope you find a solution x

Realised mine was v dry skin not dandruff - no dandruff shampoos had worked at all. Got betnovate lotion, sorted it in two weeks with daily application. I now apply it once a week to keep the dry scalp at bay.

Vichy dercos has been a lifesaver for me - I had tried literally everything . It is very similar to the orange top men’s shampoo that was discontinued ( elvive was it ?) . It has selenium in it and works wonderfully without stinking or wrecking your hair . I am so so relieved to have found it at last

Do you colour your hair? My scalp improved when I stopped using hair dye.

If you've tried everything then maybe it's time to look into what NOT to put on your scalp. I stopped using shampoos with sulphates, parabens etc, and stuck to really simple, gentle formulations. Then more recently stopped shampooing at all (unless I spill something on it or something!). I now co-wash my hair with a runny conditioner (a health shop-made one with just a handful of ingredients) and never have an issue with dandruff.

I should have added - the above is based on the possibility that your scalp is actually sensitive, and reacting to harsh ingredients in what you're using now, so while you might get temporary soothing relief from something in the product it's ultimately making the problem worse.

I tried everything under the sun. Eventually worked out that the issue for me is the foaming agents, which are in all the specialist dandruff shampoos. I now use L'Oréal Low Shampoo and my scalp is flake free. I dread them discontinuing it.

Thanks all, very interesting comments that are making me think again. The flakes are tiny. Maybe it's a dry scalp as opposed to dandruff then? It's a recent problem. Someone upthread mentioned betnovate, must look into that.

I second Nizoral. But I can't use the same thing for too long. Things that have also worked for me is the Superdrug Tricology own brand range and the tonic which I massage into my scalp. And a scalp massager, the little hard brushes which I use every wash.