Eczema on scalp :(

bouncyjan_2

I get this on the back of my scalp near to my neck (Im lucky its not visable). Tried medicated shampoos but they are far to harsh (and I nearly blinded myself once when I got some in my eye!). I use Lush shampoo (Daddy-o is my favourite) as they don't contain harsh chemicals. I also use Oilatum shampoo occasionally if Ive had a flair up.

To be honest I noticed the most difference when I stopped using hairdryer and hair straighteners (I'm going with the natural curly look ) and I only tend to get flair ups after I've been to the hairdresser!

ruby_eskimo

For the past 2 weeks I've had the same thing! Massive flakes of skin flaking off my scalp. Went to the hairdressers yesterday and he said its a combination of stress, not rinsing my shampoo properly out of my hair and the dry air where I work. He recommended washing my hair with a SLS free shampoo, doing either a hot oil treatment or using coconut oil on my scalp once a week and shampooing twice whereas usually I only wash once. He did all those things yesterday before cutting my hair and now I am flake free and my hair doesn't itch!

Millie2008_2

The only thing that has worked for me when I have had scalp eczema is Betnovate scalp application, which is a topical steroid prep. I would pop back to your GP (or a different GP at the surgery) and have a word

Muppet81

I would back up the idea of seeing your doctor and trying Betnovate. Yes, it is a steroid but I find that when I have a flare up, using this for just 2 or 3 nights can just about clear it up and it stays clear for some time.

I had tried so any shampoos but nothing worked.

Once flare up has subsided, I find Body Shop Ginger Anti Dandruff shampoo as good as anything for keeping my scalp calm. Just the smell when I use it seems calming and faintly medicinal but in a lovely way.

suki1964

Hezzawithkids wrote: »

For years now on and off whenever I've been particularly stressed I have had a patch of eczema flare up on my scalp. It looks like I have a bad case of dandruff (eeuw!) but I know that's not the cause because it's only one small patch and its always in the same place. It eventually goes away again when I've managed to treat the cause (i.e. the source of stress) but can hang around for weeks even months.

In the meantime I've tried everything I can find the lessen the effects, e.g. every brand of medicated shampoo, scalp treatments, etc and even a foul-smelling coal-tar-like soap bar from Lush, all with no success.

If anyone has any other suggestions, I'm listening 'cos I can't wear any dark-coloured tops until it goes away!

Sounds like classic seborrhoeic dermatitis

A yeast infection

Typical of cradle cap

Nizoral Shampoo when you have a full breakout with head and shoulders used as maintenance should keep in in check till you a bit older - it seems to get older with age

Casati

My brother had similar patch on his scalp that got so bad it would bleed...he has crazy thick curly hair and found it really difficult to apply a cream to the scalp.

His turned out to be psoriasis and he was prescribed a treatment that came in a pump spray, MUCH easier to get to the scalp with that than a cream.

I don't know if something similar is available for eczema, best ask your GP. (I presume you already have seen your GP, it's important you get the correct diagnosis, my brother went for years thinking he had eczema when it was psoriasis all along)

NickyBat

I have had it for years and been through the tar shampoos etc etc and the shampoos without any SLS's in, but the only thing that actually gets rid of it is steroid cream which i get from my Dr and when used it's gone within 24hrs.

trigger2

Hi

I've recently started using Naked shampoo for sensitive scalps. It's free of things like sls & parabens. The sensitive one has oatmeal extract in it. I've found it fab, I've not itched since I started using it, flaking been much reduced, and I've also noticed my hair is less greasy. Its about £4 a bottle so not that cheap but I intend to continue using it from now on, finances allowing.

http://www.boots.com/en/Naked-Care-Mildness-Unadorned-Sensitive-Shampoo-250ml_853919/

regards

trigger

belfastgirl23

Going SLS free has made a big difference to my problem scalp. I use Aveda scalp therapy and have found it great but it is expensive tempted to try the Naked range as a change. I suspect mine is sebhorraic dermatitis by the way but have never been diagnosed since I've pretty much 'managed' the condition myself. Another thing that has helped is not putting conditioner or other styling products too close to my scalp - I think I got a bit close with a styling product today and I have a couple of little itchy patches as a result!

But if it's that bad it is definitely worth talking to your doctor about.

BTW any shampoo with SLS will make me break out and have crazy itching, but medicated anti-dandruff shampoos are the worst eg Head and Shoulders.

M.Holloway

As far as I could tell there is no evidence to suggest stress is an eczema trigger.

It is more likely a correlation due to stress behaviours such as the scratch-itch cycle.

What I'm saying is stress DOES NOT cause eczema. However, it may cause you to scratch your head. This in turn will cause an eczema flare-up.

Check out the article I linked to, there may be something in there that helps - perhaps a food allergy, or maybe you wear a hat that is treated with irritants!