I need major help for my scalp!

[Anissa]

Okay, this is an embarrassing problem so before going to talk to a dermatologist or something I want to know if maybe there's some kind of at home remedy...because I don't quite know what's going on with my scalp or how to help it, at all.

Basically, I've always had problems with my skin (I have combination skin and it's so hard to deal with that it takes me an hour and a half just to apply foundation and concealer...) but lately I've got it more or less under control. However, there's something strange that is happening with my scalp and it's been going on for a year or so, as far as I remember...It's at the point where I can't even call it dandruff. Actually, unless you actually part my hair and look, it would be hard to guess that there's something wrong with it at all. It's really easy to hide so I haven't been very insistent about dealing with it, but lately it's been worrying me a lot. I don't really get a lot of dandruff and when I do, it's very sparse and easy to brush off...but underneath it all my scalp just looks downright nasty. It's extremely dry and rough and scaley. I'm guessing it's mostly all over my head (sadly I can't really take a mirror and look...the hair gets in the way) but it's worst near the temples and towards the back of my head. I can literally pinch my scalp with my fingernails and pull off dry skin. However, as far as I can tell it's not red or itchy...and it doesn't hurt or anything, it's just... there. And if I don't wash it for a while it gets a funny smell, which is why I wash my hair every day...I know that's not very good for me but I can't do it any other way, if I even skip one day my hair gets greasy and odd smelling. I know it sounds gross and that's partly why I don't want to talk to anyone about it but I really want to get rid of it! I've used things like Head & Shoulders and T-gel before but they did absolutely nothing. So what should be my next step and do you have any idea what this is? :/

Thanks!

 

[Shanki]

Okay, so first things first, do you color your hair? what kind of shampoo and conditioner do you use? is your skin dry all over your body?

ps my boyfriend suffers from the same thing.

 

[Anissa]

I do colour my hair. I use Clairol Natural Instincts non-permanent hair colour (my shade was recently discontinued so I'll soon have to find a replacement, grr...). It actually leaves my hair and scalp in better condition than before I dyed it, and I specifically choose to use non-permanent colour because I think permanent ones are more damaging...and I'll have to recolour it periodically anyway because of the roots. As for shampoo, I use the Organix shampoo (the one in the green bottle with mint and tea tree oil, which I heard was good for your skin)...and the conditioner, well, for a long time I used Pantene pro-v Restoratives with frizz control, the one in the tube. But they discontinued that too, I think. At least, I couldn't find it when I last made a trip to buy some...so for now I am using Pantene conditioner for coloured hair, and it's not so bad. At least, not that much worse than the one I used to use, except it doesn't smell as nice.

My skin is dry mostly all over my body...which sucks cause I also get acne on my back and shoulders occasionally >_< But I rarely get to the point where I let it become that way, usually I keep it well moisturised with plenty of lotion and baby oil. When I get lazy and don't do anything for a few days, well, when left to its own devices my skin does get pretty dry and flakey.

Thanks so much : )

 

[Shanki]

Well tea tree oil is soothing for your scalp. I would buy some tea tree oil and put it on your scalp and leave it there for 10 minutes then rinse well, and use shampoo. You actually can buy really strong strength head and shoulders its in a dark blue bottle. However it smells terrible and leaves your hands and hair smelling bad for a day or two.

What I would suggest you do, is get a clarifying shampoo, and dampen your hair and leave it on for 5 minutes. There's also a shampoo I recommend its called "KeraCare dry/itchy Scalp" which is for sale in salons, it depends on where you live or else I would suggest the salon to buy it at. If you have a JCPenney, they sell it in their salon. I would get the KeraCare shampoo, after you have clarified your hair, and use that shampoo next (all in the same shower) and I would wash my hair with keracare shampoo, this is what works for my boyfriend very well. I would use a wide tooth comb and comb it thru your hair, because it will get out all of the flakes that are on your scalp. Then I would rinse with cooler water. Do not be rough with it. It sounds to me like you have psoriasis. Anyway so after you have done this, rinse very well, and get a deep condtioning shampoo, you can use the organix coconut one, thats very moisturizing. While you are putting on your conditioner, make sure you move your scalp and massage it. You should also move your scalp while shampoo/conditioning, and not use your nails. This makes the blood flow to the scalp and helps with dry itchy scalp, also its good for your hair. The keracare shampoo is around 9 dollars. If you do not like it, JCPenney will let you return it if it doesn't work for you. Also, it is for ethnic hair, they say, but really you can use it for all hair tyles. The clarifying shampoo I recommend because you said your hair gets a smell to it. You can also purchase a normalizing shampoo which will help balance out your hairs PH levels and cut back on the oily look. Again I would purchase this from JCPenney, because they let you return it. Normalizing shampoo is by a brand named Matrix, the type is Biolage.

I would try the tea tree oil first, if you are into homeopathic ways, but when my boyfriend used it it only made it worse but for some people it works well, just remember you need to comb it. Ultimately you should get a clarifying shampoo, like Paul Mitchell 3, because its gently and won't pull out your color.

If you want a great semi permanant color, I would go to Sally's and get the Wella Color Charms, they're a demi permanant which means they last a bit longer, but they're not as harsh as permanant. Permanant is only harsh on your hair, if you pull it to your ends everytime. If you want to go permenant you should just do your roots.

A day before your color, you should clarify your hair, but don't use the dry and itchy stuff, because it can irritate your scalp. Any other questions?

 

[Anissa]

Hmm I think there's a JC Penney's at the local mall, if it's still there, I'll go there and look for that stuff. Ugh, I hope it's not psoriasis >_< But thanks so much for your input, I really appreciate it and I'll try it out as soon as I can : )

 

[bunkyprewster]

If it isn't psoriasis... my guess is seborrhea, which your descriptions sounds exactly like what I deal with and I'm a seborrhea suffer. However, mine tends to itch if I'm not on the ball with treating it.

Neutrogena makes a shampoo/conditioner for seborrhea and it is safe for color treated hair, which is what I use since I often color my hair and the only one that works on my scalp. When I first started, I did a good 1-2 week treatment and then after that I was able to do about 1-2 a week just to keep it at bay. It has a different active ingredient in it, then some of the other brands, which did nothing for my scalp.

Good luck...

 

[divadoll]

Usually, you find the cause, then go for the alternate cures. If you don't know what it is, its hard to know how to help. It could be a fungal or bacterial infection. Funny smells generally would be a concern, concern enough to visit a doctor. There may be some seepage that is causing the odour which means that no matter how small, you have broken skin on your scalp. Please visit your doctor and get a professional's advice.