Has anyone had problems with their scalp due to fluctuating hormones? I was recently diagnosed with seborrheic dermatitis, but nothing the docs recommended has helped. Every shampoo I have tried (and believe me, I tried alot!) causes burning and redness, even pure castile soap. Since it seems to be increasing along with face and ear burning, I'm wondering about meno issues.

Bella

Bella,

It is probably hormone related. Isometimes get these "pimple-like" bumps on my scalp that would come and go. Have you tried shampoos from a health food store like Down-to-Earth; the tea tree shampoo does not seem so soapy and tea tree has antibacterial and antifungal properties.

I am sorry you are experiencing this problem.

Thanks, plumeria. I have tried tons of products from the health food store. There are some really nice products that make my hair feel and look great, but no help for the scalp. Several homemade shampoos, too. It's just gotten worse all through this year. I use tea tree oil very diluted in water to rinse with; it helps with the itchies, but doesn't stop the redness and irritation.

I'm considering radically changing my diet - no grains, dairy, or sugar and seeing if that helps at all. I went a few days on the diet, but it's really hard! I eat lots of raw food, but like my muffins in the a.m., ezekiel bread and cream in my coffee. Sigh ...

Bella,

What about adding more Omega 3's and flax seed in your diet. Udo's oil blend mixed with apple cider vinegar makes a great salad dressing.

Have you consulted a naturopath; naturopaths have a holistic approach to things and can give advise on nutrition, detoxification, etc.

Let us know how you do.

Plumeria

Bella

I have sent you a pm as advertising is not allowed but I have found a very good product here in the UK that you may be interested to read about. I don't use it for my scalp but have found relief for intense itching.

Janey

What kind of doctor diagnosed you? A dermatologist?

I have scalp psoriasis. I get it along the hairline, too, sometimes. It sounds similar. It sometimes itches..or burns. Its red..well pinkish..and dry and sometimes I can actually peel pieces of skin off.

If a derm didnt diagnose you..maybe you should see one. Regular GPs dont see enough of this to know one condition from another.

No shampoo did a thing for me..and I have a bathroom full...from selsen blue to nutragena t gel, from tresemme (sp?) to pantine..I even used baby shampoo. None, do a thing for me. But unless I broke the skin by "messing" with it..it doesnt burn using shampoo. They just dont make it go away.

What clears me up is a cortisone rx call luxiq. Its a foam you rub on the scalp. It works like magic. I use it for about 3 days..and it seems to work for a few weeks. It must be doing something..because I only have two little spots that come back..compared to what I had before.

What you can try, is a little over the counter hydrocortisone cream. Pick a spot and use it there. If that makes it better..then maybe you should see a derm and ask for some luxiq. Its expensive..so you need to have insurance coverage. My copay on it is 40 dollars.

Thanks, Plumeria, Janey and Just Ducky,

You would probably be amazed at all the shampoos I have tried. Probably the least harmful for me is an olive oil castile/marshmallow root bar that a soapmaker sells. It doesn't burn, hair feels nice, but it leaves a residue that causes itching. A lemon juice rinse helps some, but that can burn, too. There are no open sores; it's just in a perpetual state of irritation and everything adds to it. I have Luxiq. Sometimes it helps a little, sometimes it just burns and reddens more. So I don't use it very often. Chemicals seem to worsen this.

I have added fish oil to my supplement intake. Next step is a radical dietary change, which I dread! And I don't even know if that is the culprit.

It's really a mystery. I've seen several derms. Sometimes, they don't quite know what to make of it, but diagnose it as SD. I have contacted a naturopath in our area through his website, describing the condition to see if he can help. Hopefully, I'll hear back from him soon.

I find that when I begin to use luxiq after not using it for a while..it might burn the first time or two. Then it doesnt..and it does seem to work pretty quickly on me. The first time I used it..I used it for a week..even tho what I had was gone. Now, I only use it for about 3 days or so...and it seems to keep the psoriasis gone for 2-3 weeks..and some is totally gone.

I know you dont have psoriasis now..since you did see dermatologists..but I was wondering if the forum I use..might be of help to you. It is on the national psoriasis foundation site. It is similar to this forum..people helping people.

Many people with scalp psoriasis cant seem to find anything that soothes or heals. Some have tried luxiq and it doesnt work for them..so they go searching for natural remedies. Many of them swear by one natural treatment or another. Most things can be found on the net..it seems.

It might be worth it for you to have a read there. Maybe something that works for them will work for you. It cant hurt to take a look.

Nothing will cure psoriasis..its a life long ailment..and if something does heal up what we have..sooner or later its back. But, I am sure whatever these people find that seems to soothe them..might help you, too.

I made an appointment with a naturopath. Wow, is that expensive! He claims through homeopathy and naturaopathy, he has helped others, even seen it go completely away (although he stressed he could not promise.) The one thing he has not seen is SD causing the burning that I am experiencing from washing my hair. So, it could be interesting.

Just Ducky, I started looking around the psoriasis website, thanks for recommending it. I didn't get too far til the postings turned to diet. People do seem to get some relief on a strict diet, like the paleo - meats, fruits and veggies. No sugar, dairy or grains of any kind. I do a limited paleo, but have not given up everything completely. It could come to that, although the naturopath tells me he doesn't usually recommend a strict diets; he gets results other ways.

YAH!!! One blueberry muffin and coffee, please!

Bella,

Naturopaths are expensive; make sure he is a certified Naturopath. I pay out of pocket when I see my naturopath, as insurance will not cover.

Yes, I think the burning from the shampoo is interesting. You know when I started the peri journey, one of my initial symptoms was brealing out in hives and soap and just taking a shower caused itchiness...how weird is that!!! It is better now but once in awhile, I still get this sensation after a shower and I would see red marks on my skin.

Do take care and I hope you find some relief soon.

Plumeria

Sometimes, I am even embarrassed to post on that psoriasis forum. Although I was covered with it, down there..I dont have much at all on the rest of me. I get a dot here and a dot there..and I probably have most of my life..thinking they were pimples or mosquito bites. I guess my case is really mild, compare to some of those people. Some have posted pictures and are covered with it. Mine doesnt even get the kind of scales they have.

Anyway..I think many of them grasp at straws. They will try any diet, any herbal mixture..when nothing else seems to help. I am nowhere near that point yet..and I would die without my "sugar fixes, bread, coffee and ice cream" all of the things they claim you shouldnt eat. I have seen some of these diets. No sugar, red meat, wheat, dairy, etc etc..soooo..what the hell are you supposed to eat? Air?

I have read many, many, many articles on psoriasis. Most doctors who wrote them dont think that diet means a thing..but hey..if people try them and they help..then they should continue with it.

I probably would try creams, oils, lotions, etc..anything topical. But, I would never put vitamins, herbs etc..into my body. I dont think people know enough about these things to play around with them.

I am new to this psoriasis..but looking back..I have probably had it since I was in my 20s. Mild skin ailments are no stranger to me..and I am sure I always had an even milder case than I have now.

Anyway..my scalp psoriasis is in the back of my head..maybe 4-5 spots which now are maybe 2..that I had "picked" at since the summer. With all of my picking and disturbing of it..it never burned..and really never even itched. I only get that burning if I had picked at it..then used the luxiq.

Have you tried baby shampoo? Although, to me..soap is soap. If one burns, the others are bound to burn too. Are you sure its the soap and not something in the water?

I hope you get an answer to your problem. Let us know what helps. You got me really curious now.

Just ducky, i also use t-gel it is a good product although i can't use it all the time it is too much for me, i also use simple soap free shampoo, i alterate them that seems to work for me,

I saw the naturopath today. He gave me sulphur drops. I am 'cautiously hopeful.' It's been so long since I could just grab a bottle of shampoo, wash my hair and not be concerned about redness and inflammation; always trying to find the 'right' product. I'll post (hopefully good) results.

Bella

Hi Bella,

That is my beautiful grandaughters name also,, I know this was a older post but when I saw it I wanted to respond for what helped me...I use organic apple cider vinegar..put it on the scalp for 3 min then wash and condition as ususal..The ACV brings your scalp into proper PH and makes your hair shiney too. You can also take it internally I take 2tbs and 1/4tsp baking soda in 8oz of water 2-3 times a day..It brings your body in proper ph as well.

Hope this helps,
Pamela

Hi Pamela,

I'm glad vinegar worked for you. It was one of the first remedies I tried, but caused intense burning and redness. So many people have gotten relief from vinegar, I wish I had been one of them. It's a cheap fix, too!