Itchy Scalp

[squishychickfi]

Not sure that this is directly related to my Type 2 - but here goes!

I have had an issue with an itchy scalp for many years, treated with various shampoos and lotions that the doctor prescribed! In the last 2 months it has become unbearable, always at the back of the head and so intense I want to take a sharp point to my scalp!

I am still using the treatments the doc prescribed, but without success!

Can anyone come up with anything else that might help please (other than shaving scalp!)

Should say - have changed shampoos, don't use any other lotions or potions, never dry my hair with a hairdryer and have to wash my hair every day otherwise I would go mad!

Thanks

 

[sugarless sue]

Did the doctor actually say what it is ? Perhaps you need to see a Dermatologist.

Washing every day is maybe making it worse !

 

[squishychickfi]

Did think that - yes saw a dermatoligist ages ago and was told it was a sort of ecezma/psoriasis on my scalp - but it has never been this bad!

As for not washing - tried that too - but not washing made my scalp even more itchy - found that cool water soothed it a bit!

Think it will be a trip to the docs for me then!

thanks for your help

 

[foxglove]

I suffer from eczema on my arms and I do find that being indoors with the central heating going 75% of the time makes my skin much worse. Apart from applying the cream the Dr gave me which I use immediately after a shower while the pores are still open, I also apply a moisturising cream - a non allergenic one - and have found that quite beneficial.
Hope you soon get something sorted as it is soo miserable when you continually itch!..

 

[sugarless sue]

Old remedy and messy but have you tried covering head in olive oil and leaving it on for a while under a shower cap. Obviously do it on a day where you are not going out or expecting visitors !

 

[jaykay]

Do you use an off the shelf shampoo? Lots of them have some really nasty stuff in, which I can't remember the name of at the moment but is incredibly harsh and strips your hair. A natural one with tea tree oil can help. Jojoba is a good natural moisturiser too but you need to buy the gentlest, most natural one you can get.

 

[Eiche]

Anything with tea tree oil in it should work. I found a home made remedy that I tried on my son who has exema worked a treat...

Take oatmeal and soak in water for 20 mins. Mix well and then strain the liquid adding it to a cup. Add 5 drops lavender oil (or lavender stalks steeped in cup hot water). Add 5 drops rosemary oil (or rosemary stalks steeped in cup hot water). Allow to cool until tepid.
Mix the liquids together and dab on your scalp and leave it on for 10 mins to soothe the itch. This isa good temporary soother for itching. Chamomile tea is also soothing!

Zinc Pyrithione: Wonderful stuff for scalp conditions. It's the most widely used active ingredient from a natural source. It's used to treat dandruff, seborrheic dermatitus, psoriasis, eczema and numerous other skin and scalp disorders. It has strong anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties.

There are many more remedies

 

[squishychickfi]

Thank you
Did wonder about using olive oil, but never been brave enough!

Have heard about oatmeal in the bath for ecezma, never thought about head though!

I try to change my shampoos often so I don't get a build up of stuff - but it is really bad at the moment!

Did have a tea tree on - was using it to keep away nits as I teach - but might have to go back to that or lavender!

Thanks again

 

[sugarless sue]

I found that using a shampoo with no conditioner helps. I seem to be sensitive to the conditioners rather than the shampoos.

 

[jaykay]

Make sure the shampoos you use do not contain sodium laureth sulphate ( sls for short ). This is known to cause skin irritation in some people. - Had to go look it up because I couldn't remember what it was, bloomin' old age creeping up on me again!

 

[squishychickfi]

I had heard that - so will have to take my magnifying glass to ASDA next time I go and see which ones don't have it!!!

It might be an allergy - I just want it to stop itching!

 

[Serena51]

I have the same problem, for forty years, and used to be given nizoral by the gp.

Then I changed, on hairdresser's advice, to the 'Aussie' range as it is gentler. Now I just add about 10 drops of tea tree oil to the bottle of shampoo when I first open it and give it a good shake.

This has helped to control the itching but I also find that good control of bg certainly has an effect too.

 

[ClaireG 06]

I have problems with shampoos etc with lots of sls to. I tend to buy online now and either use products from this range ( their shower gels are fab to!)

nakedbodycare

or

faithinnature

(Links edited as sales sites)

 

[tendafut]

Hi Squishy,
Just a fast one for a possible,maybe you have not thought about it. I am T2 and have nueropathy it can create an itchy sensation on different arears of the body, quite unbearable at times.
This is just to nudge you if you have.nt thought about it okay?

 

[squishychickfi]

Hadn't thought about neuropathy, even though it affects my foot

But pretty sure it is not that due to the state my scalp is in - I have very flaky patches and some that seem a bit like psoraisis - was given nizoral shampoo - but guess what is a big ingredient in it! SLS - a friend uses a Boots brand and I am waiting for them to get back to me to see if that is SLS free.

Don't use conditioner very often - so think that now I have exhausted all your fab ideas - think I will need to go and see the doc!

Will let you know what the answer is (if I ever get it

 

[garnock]

Hi
Had this problem many years ago. Was prescribed Wrights Coal Tar Shampoo by Doc plus a lotion which I cannot remember. It definately worked and have used coal tar shampoo at times when the problem reappeared

 

[mrsmousemat]

Tried the usual shampoo and all the creams from the doctor for an itchy scalp.

Eventually tried Surgical Spirit on slight eczema patches and it helped a lot, so I tried it on my scalp - and lo and behold, no more itching. Aftef six months unbelievable.

I asked a chemist why this should be and she said that if surgical spirit helped it was probably a fungus type thing,which can be picked up from combs at the hairdresser and not eczema.


It's so cheap and you can get it from any chemist - if it doesn't help , then you can use it for grazes and cuts etc.

 

[trand]

My other half has had this problem for years she has recently started using a coconut oil shampoo and conditioner, and it seems to be working

 

[squishychickfi]

Will try both of those ideas Have bought a shampoo free of SLS but still itching!
Got an appointment with doc but not until 14 Feb!

Also - not sure if this is related, but had results of HBA1C and that is up to 8 - so I suppose it could be linked?

 

[daisy1]

I am also plagued with itching - not only scalp but legs as well. I have come to the conclusion that it is nothing to do with my diabetes but it's a (listed) side effect of a (non-diabetes) medication. It comes and goes on its own and I have never found anything that helps. It stops when I go to bed at night though - a welcome relief.