Very flaky and itchy scalp

[Stumpedasatree]

DD, 15, has lots and lots of hair and an on and off itchy and very flaky scalp. She uses a shampoo by head and shoulders called Dermo X but it’s not helping at all. I was wondering if anyone may have any better recommendations? I really need to pin her down and smother her scalp in coconut oil or something but it’s difficult to find a good time to do it.

It's dandruff and coconut oil won't solve it but make it worse, you need to Nizoral and make her wash her hair at least twice a week with it. Dercos from Vichy is also good but Nizoral is specific to kill the fungus that causes dandruff. No conditioner on roots, just lengths.

T Gel with salicylic acid is good for the washes in between the Nizoral washes as salicylic acid exfoliates the skin

There is a scalp product in the same brand as the shampoo she is using. It is very good. It’s cheaper on Amazon if not on the 3 for 2 offer in boots etc.

It depends if it's dandruff, eczema or psoriasis. You need different stuff for each one.

I've tried them all and the only one I've had success with (which also curbs the itching) is Capasal. It's £10 a bottle but so, so worth it

Philip Kingsley Itchy Flaky Scalp shampoo really helped me. I don't have lots of hair though.

Nizoral is what works for me

dandruff and coconut oil is not perfect

Nizoral

Selsun blue is very good, but also if she is 15 and has lots of hair (and fluctuating hormones) she needs to be very meticulous about brushing her scalp daily and really shampooing every square centimetre, and rinsing thoroughly.

This.

If it's really bad or uncomfortable for her and not shifting it's worth a trip to your GP. They can advise and prescribe things that might help.

I have a lot of hair too and used to get itching and flaking. Tried all the tgels, nizoral etc. But what works best is double or even triple washing to make sure I'm really washing my scalp. A single wash doesn't lather enough to get into the skin. Rinsing fully is also really important as well as using sulphate free shampoo.
I use Alfaparf dandruff shampoo and while it's expensive it's the only thing I've found that works for my scalp.

There's a co wash called As I Am Dry and Itchy. I have seen it recommended here before but for some reason I can only get it online and even then it's hard to find. I'm considering buying the active ingredients (pyrithione zinc) making my own! Honestly I tried EVERYTHING over the years from medicated to natural and nothing worked for long. But this co wash totally sorts it. Don't even have to use it every wash.

If you've never used a co wash they take a bit of getting used to; they're creamy, they don't lather and you need a rubber scalp brush to massage into scalp. My hair is wavy but even if your DD has straight hair, dense hair would be fine with a co wash every so often as it tends not to get so greasy.

Trial and error with what works but Head and Shoulders Itchy Scalp shampoo is the best stuff I've used since L'Oréal discontinued their selenium anti dandruff shampoo.

Brilliant, thank you everyone. She has tried Nizoral in the past but it made her scalp sore and did not seem to help either. I'll have a look at some of these suggestions. She has got very curly hair too so the co wash may be good.

Eating Brazil nuts can help, they contain selenium

True. If scalp is oily is likely to be dandruff. If it's dry it's likely to be psoriasis and Polytar is good for that as it's a coal tar shampoo

It's largish dry flakes, not oily.

Sounds to me to be more like Psoriasis but I'd see a doctor to be sure, obviously. My doc prescribes Betnovate scalp liquid and used to prescribe me the Capasal I mentioned up thread, until NHS changed the rules on prescribing shampoo.

I had to use polytar shampoo for a good few washes to clear, I use it about once per month to keep at bay.
Air-conditioning, cold weather etc can contribute so advise a wooly hat in the winter.

My friend uses a Redken shampoo very successfully for her itchy scalp

The body shop ginger one is meant to work well

Nioxin scalp recovery range is for this very thing. It's very good and well worth the money!

www.hollandandbarrett.com/shop/product/balmonds-scalp-oil-60033942