Horrific scalp issues - need a remedy

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I have the most awful itchy and flaky scalp. Really sore and unsightly. Am not sleeping well at the moment due to dc3, lack of sleep and/or stress seems to be contributing factor, it has been going on on and off for years.

Can anyone recommend anything? To date I have tried a lot of things from Head & Shoulders to Coal Tar to Aveda Scalp stuff, all to no avail. I think I'd slather almost anything on my head if I thought it would work! TIA

have you seen a GP?

yes, and they prescribed some cradle crap shampoo, it didn't work!

ahem, cap!

arf at cradle crap

T gel is the biz

Also don't use any products and don't get coloured til it clears up

T Gel I have not tried! No products at all? Not even serum ?!!

no

no products

nothing

you will have to embrace the frizz

[sympathy, proffers flowers]

I would even say don't blow dry

I had this after over-relaxing my hair. Had topical steroid from doctor (Betacap) then baby shampoo (the mildest I could find) and absolutely no products for ages. It worked eventually.

If you have frizz then try using something milder than serum like murumuru butter or coconut oil. You only need a tiny bit and it melts in your hand.

It sounds like psoriosis, which I can't spell but did suffer from years ago when I had a very stressful job. I used T-Gel and it was pretty good, although if you have pale hair it will give you a bit of a copper tint.

I've not got Itchy but do get flaky. Have tried numerous things over the years. Current favourite is L'Oreal Elvine Anti-Dandruff Active Selenium S. It needs to be used frequently and leave it on a good few minutes before washing off. Warning: It's bright orange and stains white bath/shower plastic if not washed off quickly - so clean the shower/bath afterwards.

I expect you will just need to experiment with various products until you find something that works for you.

my mum has sebhoric (sp) dermatitis on her scalp, which she has never found a cure for.

stress brings it on alot, she has good and bad days really.

hers itches and weeps. best to get to your gp for a proper diagnosis before you begin slathering on products imo

Thanks for your replies. Will try T Gel and make appointment to see doctor again. Have tried using SLS-free shampoo and that didn't help either. Ach, it is sooooo hideous...

nannynick, my DH's scalp cleared up hugely with the orange L'Oreal shampoo too.

He'd previously tried t-gel and all sorts of weirdy mousses prescribed by the GP to no avail.

Monoi miracle oil for your scalp and Ginger shampoo-both from the Body shop.Go and ask them for 2 sample bottles, they are free,i promise you this will work!

i would second the ginger shampoo from the body shop. have had seborrheic dermatitis for years and this one does really help AND does not dry hair out either. however i would say the most important thing to do is see a nutritionist and look at your diet. huge relationship between diet and scalps. fish oils will help too

Selsun Blue shampoo - they have just started stocking it in Boots and it is fabulous. I get a terribly itchy flaky scalp, and for years have been buying it in the US as it is the only thing that works on my scalp.

I had this - mine was eczema (which, funnily enough, I am never sure how to spell).

Anyway, GP prescribed protopic, which was miracle stuff for me. Not saying to use protopic, but to get a prescription for an appropriate cream and use that - shampoos are cr*p. I used to apply at bedtime, leave in all night and wash out next morning. Protopic is an ointment (vaseline consistency) so used to leave my hair a bit dead and flat, but better that than the maddening itching, nevermind how terrible it looked.