My daughter has sores on her scalp that hurts her really bad they puss up an they itch an nothing is working an it's making her hair come out an it smells I was I have tried t-gel nothing is working
Go to the doctor.
And if money is an issue then go to the community clinic by you. They often charge on a sliding scale. (my husband goes to one)
Why haven't you taken this poor child to the doctor? Get her there NOW.
I'm wondering if perhaps you do not have a doctor, or don't have medical insurance?
I know that many of us will advise prompt treatment by a qualified medical professional, but please let's remember that there are many moms on here that are without insurance, without access to a doctor, or unable to afford a co-pay or that dreaded deductible. Often the insurance premium seems pretty affordable, until you realize that the deductible can be $5,000, and that can be terribly hard to come by for many people. Even the co-pay can mean that a mom can't get her child to a doctor in many cases because there just isn't money left over after trying to pay the rent and buy some food. And some insurance plans require an initial visit before being referred to a specialist.
I'm not implying that this original poster is one of the moms who are doing their best to care for their kids without the benefit of insurance or without access to a doctor, but it's possible. I just want us all to remember that when we respond.
Please, F. E., if you can't get your daughter to a doctor, or you can't afford one or don't have insurance, and if the situation is as serious as you describe, please go to an emergency room and get treatment. I don't suggest the use of an emergency room lightly, but in cases where there is infection, pain, hair loss, and itching, and if a doctor isn't an option, an emergency room can be helpful. If you don't have insurance, they can help you with options.
In the meantime, stop using any over-the-counter shampoos and soaps. Keep your daughter's head as clean as possible. You can mix two cups of warm water with about one quarter cup of plain white vinegar to rinse her hair, and leave it in for about 15 minutes, then rinse with plain water. Try to prevent her from itching it if possible.
Try taking her to a dermatologist.
T-Gel shampoo is a coal tar based shampoo, and it has other harsh chemicals in it. IT's used for dandruff and contact dermatitis, but not for something this serious. Usually these shampoos have warning labels not to use on broken skin. You're probably making it much much worse, although I'm sure you have the best of intentions.
If your daughter has pus forming, there's an active infection. That's probably what smells. And if hair is falling out and she's in pain, you're past the point of using a topical anti-itch product.
If you don't have a doctor and can't afford one, please find a community clinic. You don't say how old your daughter is, but there are good programs for young children. The state has a strong interest in making sure children get all the immunizations they need, for example, so there are sliding scale clinics available. as Elena B. said. But these shampoos and other products you have used have probably set you back quite a few dollars.
You can also call your local hospital and ask to speak to a social worker, and ask for a referral to an affordable clinic. You can also go to your local pharmacist at any large drug store or supermarket, and have the pharmacist take a look at the scalp for free. They aren't doctors but they have a good knowledge of what's out there for over-the-counter treatment. However, you may well be at a point where your only option is medical care. Please don't put anything else on her open sores or pustules lest you make her infection worse.
Call the doctor's office and get an appointment.
Take her to her doctor immediately. Please don't wait. If she has sores that are filling with pus, that means they are probably infected and she needs MUCH more treatment than a shampoo. She might be scratching her head due to the itch and creating the sores herself, but you need to get the sores treated ASAP and then deal with the itch. See her pediatrician now to get her immediate treatment, and ask if you also need to see a pediatric dermatologist.
Take her to the doctor. Do not use any more over-the-counter products on her head for now, it may be irritating the scalp even more. T-Gel is for dandruff and eczema on the scalp; this does not sound typical to either of those.
Yep- I'm with the rest who say get her to the doctor. The smell indicates likely infection. And t-gel and other shampoos are probably doing more damage at this point. Good luck, but get that girl to a doctor!
what do you do? you take the child to the dr and have them diagnose the problem. then follow the drs instructions and your daughter will be fine.
Oh what a sin.
T-gel is more for things like psoriasis or dandruff - my husband has this, it's not at all like what you are describing.
What you are describing sounds like an infection at this point. Just scratching at her scalp can leave it raw so that it's gotten infected - could be bacteria, fungal, etc. Hard to say without having a doctor look at it.
You can get over the counter antibacterial shampoos or antifungal - but at this point, if her head has pus and her hair is falling out, get a medical opinion so you know how best to treat it pronto. If it gets worse, she could get boils and these can spread (infection).
Good luck. Shouldn't be too hard to treat if you get the right stuff - but impossible for us to know over the internet. Your doctor will know.
It could be an infection of the hair follicle called folliculitis. While the T-Gel will help a little, it sounds like she is to the point where she needs a course of antibiotics. I can tell you that 10 days will not clear it up. You need at least a 30 day course and a topical antibiotic cream. Until you see a doctor you can start using Bacitracin topically, but it's not going to be enough to clear her up without medical intervention. Good luck!
While you are at the pediatrician, ask for a solution to the problem so you can treat before they become infected. My daughter gets patches on her scalp that appear like dandruff of cradle cap, but she'll scratch at them until they open up. If I can catch them in time, I put the prescription medicine I got from my doctor on it, and it clears up in a few days. No more open wounds on her scalp, and no more losing her hair.
what does her doctor say?
khairete
S.
