Urghh another hormonal related ailment dermatitis on my scalp

[Purplepeoniesdroppingpetals]

Please, please, please can I have suggestions of what the hell to do about my poor scalp - t gel and some foul smelling coal tar lotion have been prescribed so far, but I’m finding it so disgusting and upsetting. Any ideas?

Nizorel? It doesn’t smell so hideous.
I also had an issue with my scalp after starting HRT weirdly. It was very distressing for a couple of years. Shampoos would work for a while but then stop once I moved onto the second bottle so I had to keep changing. I do still use Nizorel around once a month when I remember, just to ensure it doesn’t creep back.
Currently using As I am Itchy shampoo which is working well. It’s actually worse if I don’t wash my hair every day, which is a pain as I never used to wash it so much, but I’d rather wash daily than suffer!

Nizorel is good . Husband gets it on prescription for his dermatitis .

Amazon order done - I’m on my fourth month of hrt and things have been so much better except for this. Thanks for the advice

Nizorel is amazing!

Ok bumping this and am getting pretty bloody desperate now. Dermatitis is scaly, yellow and greasy and I’m reacting to everything that I’ve been prescribed. I stick stuff on it as directed (including the over the counter shampoos) and have to wash it off because it burns.

I’ve also had a very unpleasant reaction to citrus fruit in my mouth that was so bad that my mouth was dropping (lip and cheek badly swollen) and I ended up getting tested for stroke.I’ve been stuck on antibioitcs and high dose antihistamines and the reaction has calmed but my scalp is bright red in the patch that’s bad and where it isn’t covered by this disgusting scaly stuff. I’ve been to the gp and am being referred to the dermatologist and allergy clinic but god knows how long that’s going to be.

Really quite anxious about this - blood tests being done tomorrow..any thoughts? Feeling very low about this

Urgh god how grim @Purplepeoniesdroppingpetals . I don't think I have any useful advice, except to say my scalp is going through an unusual 'happy' phase (it seems to be much worse in the winter) and I've also had a strong reaction to a particular Innocent Smoothie, I'm gearing up to do some allergy testing but it's very hard to find anyone (even privately) who tests adults. I can understand that your 'is it a stroke' reaction was more serious.

It is worth washing your hair with baby shampoo, so it's super mild and at least shouldn't burn, even if it doesn't make your scalp any better?

Good luck with the testing, do let us know what you find out.

Thanks for answering and hope your scalp behaves. Will let you know how I get on - don’t feel quite as bad knowing that I’m not alone, but wish you weren’t struggling with this too. My gp commented that it looked ‘bloody sore’ (she’s known me a long while and I’m quite informal and sweary), which I means ‘omfg what the hell is that?!’

Moo goo shampoo

So if anyone is still watching this,I’ve now got a palm size angry, red bald patch on my crown that they think is an allergic reaction. I feel horrified and embarrassed in equal measure and a waiting for an emergency dermatology appointment which the A&E registrar said would be quick as it is so bad. My gp sent me there and I’ve now got used to the sharp intake of breath medical people make when they see it. I’ve had two lots of blood tests and more to come on Monday as I’m also anaemic ( low ferritin only) but I’ve had that periodically. They’re talking about an autoimmune response that’s gone mad atm. It’s all a bit shit.

I'm really sorry OP, it sounds horrible. Nizoral irritated my scalp badly. Could you have psoriasis maybe as that is autoimmune? Hope they get to the bottom of it soon. 💐

Betacap scalp application. It's a steroid treatment which you put on and then wash off later. It might sting a bit if you have raw areas, but it really helps.

I'm gearing up to do some allergy testing but it's very hard to find anyone (even privately) who tests adults.

I also have an autoimmune skin disease and happened to walk past a place in St. Pancras area that does allergy tests. Cost a bomb but they tested almost 300 allergies. Luckily nothing came up. So at least that rules that out.

If you stand with your back to the entrance to The British Library, it's the first road to the right when you cross the road. (go left of Premier Inn).

If you want the address give me an @ and I'll dig it out for you.

Nizoral

Thanks all - tried Nizoral - helped a bit but am not allowed to put anything else on my scalp until the dermatologist has seen me - to be honest I’m shit scared I’ll go bald if I do. I’ll update when I’ve seen someone but am grateful I’m not on my own (am alone as kids and others are away in rl) on here.

Oh no, @Purplepeoniesdroppingpetals this sounds so awful for you. I hope you get an appointment soon. In the meantime do be super careful in the sun, although maybe some careful early morning sunlight on it might be beneficial?

My dad had to have light treatment for skin so I guess it’s a thing for skin? I’ve got very pale skin so am always pretty careful. To be honest I’m scared of doing anything.

Yeah, I don't blame you. Who knows what your scalp might decide to do next!

Have been told that via the nhs I’m going to be waiting to see a dermatologist until at least September- in spite of the gp sending me straight to A&e after calling the dept. and the registrar I saw making an urgent referral, giving me antibiotics and strict instructions at what to look for regarding sepsis. The man I spoke to on the booking line said he thought I took the news quite well (waited to get off the phone before I cried) and gave me the private patients number at the same hospital to call. I asked for family help; they rallied around and I called a number of local private providers…..August 1st was the first available apt, which has now improved to mid July because of a cancellation.

OMG @Purplepeoniesdroppingpetals that sounds awful. Even mid-July sounds grim, let alone 'at least September'. It sounds as if the dermatology team have downgraded your referral because they haven't personally seen you and don't believe the A&E reg?

Could you go further afield to get seen sooner?

Am off to see the gp again. She is obviously concerned and has written another letter for the private consultant and will push with the dermatology clinic at my local hospital. Apparently it’s just the NHS atm and it’s a bloody mess. Am now on iron and whilst still breathless, I am feeling positive I’m actually doing something. Skin is now covered in a thick grey scale which hurts.

I feel maybe you are metamorphosing into a new creature? I'm thinking of when in Star Trek: Voyager Captain Janeway evolved into a lizard. Something to look into, anyway. In reality, I assumed it was part of the healing process but from googling I'm not so sure, could it be eczema?

Ha! Didn’t see this but yeah it’s felt like things were changing! New career as a dr who monster

In case anyone is still following this: massive skin problems have continued, with four types of antibiotics since half term; being signed off and watched carefully for sepsis; allergic reactions and tests for stroke (it wasn’t that). Today I saw a consultant dermatologist (had a go private) and he’s given me some answers. Don’t care if this outing - feel ten years younger that I’m being listened to and that someone is being proactive and looking after me. Feeling positive for the first time in months!

I'm glad you've seen a specialist who has helped, it's great when you get some decent attention and answers. Dh has psoriasis since childhood, he's 55 and that bloody skin issue was driving us both demented, after seeing gp and hse (we're in Ireland) specialists I insisted he paid and seen a specialist in the Galway Clinic, after all those years his skin is clear. Such a difference when you see the right person.

Sorry your skin problems are still ongoing but glad you've found a decent Dr at last. Hope you get some answers soon and wish you a speedy recovery. 💐