Help for Seborrheic Dermatitis on the Scalp

Updated on April 24, 2013
L.G. asks from Andover, MN
5 answers

About 3 months ago I noticed my scalp getting flaky and itchy. I saw a primary after I tried different dandruff shampoos (t-gel, pyrithion zinc, selenium sulfide) without any changes. Then I saw two different dermatologists. I have tried both oral and shampoo anti-fungal (Ketoconazole), t-sal shampoo, and both an oil-based steroid serum and a steroid spray. Nothing has helped and I would say that my scalp has gotten worse! I have also tried everything natural like essential oils (tea tree, lavender), coconut oil, apple cider vinegar, and nothing helps! Starting to wonder if there is more going on than just this! My hair is also coming out more than usual (more like after having a baby). I am making an appointment with an internal medicine doctor tomorrow, but just thought I'd see if anyone else has found something that works that I haven't tried!! Thanks :)...my scalp is so itchy and flaky I can't take it anymore!!!

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L.R.

answers from Washington DC on

You've seen a primary and you're going to see an internal medicine MD? And two dermatologists? I'm surprised because I found that only a dermatologist really knew how to treat this. I know -- I have seborrheic dermatitis too, and a dermatologist is much better at treating it, I've found. If you have it on the scalp you likely have it elsewhere even if you think you don't. Check with a dermatologist again and this time, take a list of every prescription shampoo or other med that you have tried.

Have you tried these meds/shampoos consistently over time, or did you try a few times, or for a week or two, and then stopped because they didn't seem to work? Some take longer, especially if the condition is serious.

You also may find that things like vinegar and essential oils (which can be very strong and can irritate skin even if diluted) are making things worse and not better -- by using those you might actually be irritating the scalp and stripping its oils, which causes the oil glands to pump out extra oils, which causes flaking and itching (I know, it's weird to me that extra oil means what seems to be a "drier" and flaky skin but it's true). I'd leave those things alone for now-- they can all be irritants.

Consider asking the doctor if you might need a prescription antihistamine. The itching etc. can partly be a histamine reaction, my derm. told me, and he put me on a nighttime-only antihistamine. (And no I'm not sneezing etc., he says the skin can need antihistamines too.) Ask what a derm. thinks of that for you.

Do tell the doctor that the itching is so bad that it's affecting your daily quality of life.

2 moms found this helpful

B.C.

answers from Norfolk on

I have it (so does my Mom and son).
Ours doesn't itch nor do we shed a lot of hair.
We just get very flaky dandruff if we don't wash every day.
Which is probably why they tried treating you with anti-fungal meds.

The hair loss makes it seem like something hormonal is going on.
Have your thyroid checked.
Hypothyroidism can cause some hair loss although it won't cause itching.

The other thing that comes to mind besides fungus when itching is a symptom is allergies.
You can develop an allergy at any time and it could be related to anything in your shampoo, conditioner, or any styling products or dye you use (or laundry soap or fabric softeners).
You can be allergic to natural oils too.

Seborrheic dermatitis is annoying, it never really goes away for good and it takes management.
It tends to go through cycles (it's worse in fall and winter) and when you find something that helps keep it in check it will work for awhile before it doesn't work anymore - so you have to keep rotating several methods of control every few weeks or when ever the current method stops working.

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C.S.

answers from Chicago on

Neutrogena Oil Free Acne Wash with Salicylic Acid on the scalp only and a high moisture shampoo for the actual hair e.g. Chi Infra Shampoo (both can be bought at Target or Ulta).

Get your thyroid levels tested for the hair loss, easy blood test.

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L.R.

answers from Sioux Falls on

Make sure you are getting enough Omega-6 oils in your diet. My scalp was flaky at one time and taking cod liver oil internally cleared it up.

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