Dry scalp

[Anonymous]

My scalp is so dry it’s uncomfortable and at times even painful. I’ve tried all the shampoos: dandruff, selsun blue, salicylic acid, tar, tea tree/rosemary, Nizoril; tried topical steroids; tried washing more often or less often. Nothing helps. It’s practically crunchy. It flakes, has bumps all over. You can’t see it but I can feel it with my fingers and it’s awful and I think the buildup may be contributing to hair loss.

Ideas, anyone? Doctor said it could be psoriasis. Had a scalp biopsy, did show anything useful.

[Anonymous]

Keep seeing different dermatologists until you get a useful diagnosis and treatment plan.

[Anonymous]

I finally figured out a homemade remedy .. I do a once/weekly rinse with apple cider vinegar and tea-tree oil.

Don't let any get in your eyes. I wet hair, apply ACV to entire scalp, massage scalp for 1 minute, cool-water rinse, shampoo with my regular shampoo + 4 drops tea-tree oil and let it sit a few minutes, rinse, and condition. If I go too long w/o this routine and my scalp gets irritated (I tend to absentmindedly scratch), it will sting a bit the first time I get back to this but when I stay on it there aren't any issues.

Obviously YMMV, but I tried so much of what you've listed; this is what has kept the funk at bay the past handful of years. I have a small patch of psoriasis. I use scalpicin on it occasionally.

[Anonymous]

I wonder if you are having a reaction to some sort of hair product. I can only use more expensive conditioners, and even then, there are some I cannot use. The cheap ones make my scalp itchy and tight. I assume I am sensitive to a specific ingredient.

[Anonymous]

All the products you mentioned, OP, are drying. Switch to creamy shampoo and conditioner that are free of sulfates, parabens, and silicones. Wash in tepid water and consider a whole-house water softener as the area’s hard water contributes to dryness.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Keep seeing different dermatologists until you get a useful diagnosis and treatment plan.

Do this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Keep seeing different dermatologists until you get a useful diagnosis and treatment plan.

Do this.

+2
I can't believe a dermatologist was not more helpful to you.