Flakes everywhere!

Diane In Colorado · 09-11-2002, 02:11 PM

Ok, I have had very dry scalp for a long time. I was partly relieved when my doctor told me that it is a part of the PCO in some women. The problem is, I have tried all kinds of medicated shampoos, Head & Shoulders, Tea Tree shampoo and the pure oil. I have tried all kinds of things.
I was wondering if there is anyone out there with the same problem, and if anyone has found anything that helps.
Thanks!
Diane

andrena · 09-11-2002, 02:44 PM

I had a hair dresser that said I had a dry scalp also (started after my first child 14 years ago). My hair was really oily, so I couldn't understand how I had a dry scalp - it looked like dandruff to me. Anyway, I tried just about everything also, and had just come to live with it.
Until I was diagnosed with PCOS ( thanks to this great site!) and my endo gave me glcuophage. I don't know if you're taking it or not. I'm on 2000mg a day and my dandruff/dry scalp has disappeared! My hair is still a little oily - but at least I can wash my hair every other day instead of every day! My hair also seems more shiny and soft and I'm not losing as much or having as much break off!

Diane In Colorado · 09-11-2002, 04:50 PM

I am not on any medication. My hair breaks and falls out also. I would be interested in knowing what the purpose of the medication you are on.
Thanks!

shenacat · 09-11-2002, 08:11 PM

I went to a hair salon a while ago to get a dye job - to make myself feel better!! The stylist there gave me a hot tip. He said, most shampoos are designed for a PH of 10, and my PH was about a 4!! He said you need to use a shampoo that was properly balanced.

He recommended the Biogenol products by Framesi. I chose the one for thin hair that would promote body, and I was finally able to stop using my nizoral!!!! (Nizoral was the only product that would work for me to get rid of the flakes and itch...)

I ran out of shampoo a couple weeks ago and was using regular shampoo (salon selectives) and now I've got flakes and itching starting up again... so it was definitely the shampoo. I'm buying more asap!!

BTW - you have to get it from a salon or a beauty supply store. shop around - it's worth it!!

momof2lilblessings · 09-13-2002, 11:10 AM

I am going to check into this one. Thanks for the advice. I have had flakes (BIG flakes) for the last 7 years and nothing gets rid of them. I am going to look for that shampoo.

Thanks

~Dawn

jannie_b · 09-13-2002, 11:16 AM

Nizoral shampoo worked really well for me. My dermotologist told me that in women with PCOS, our hormone balance (or lack thereof) can lead to an overgrowth of the natural yeast/fungus that we all have on our skin. This can result in dandruff-like flaking and/or a wierd rash on the skin (I had both...rash on my back and upper arms.) The Nizoral worked like a dream for both. I used it every day for 10 days and then once a week for maintenance. It is rather expensive, but once you are on "maintenance", a bottle lasts a long time.

You can find it with the medicated shampoos at the pharmacy. In Canada, it's available OTC in 2% strength, but I believe in the US you need a prescription for 2% but can get 1% OTC.

GOod luck.

Janet

Leyna · 09-14-2002, 06:58 PM

Hi Jannie-b

I have had terrible problems with flakes. When I was first diagnosed with PCOS the dandraff was awful and the doctors were tellling me that it was nothing to do with my PCOS. When I was on medication they disappeared completely. Now they come back once a month if I haven't washed my hair and allowed it to get greasy. It also comes back around day 21 of my cycle but its not as bad as it used to be. Now I use Johhsons baby shampoo and the itching a flaking has practically gone.

Leyna

scarlet · 09-14-2002, 09:34 PM

I too have this problem and have tried everything to get rid of it. Catherine I´ll check out that shampoo if I can find it and it´s not tested on innocent little bunnies.

Doogie · 09-14-2002, 10:50 PM

I also suffered with dry flakey scalp and my hair started to fall out. My consultant prescribed Metformin too and I have seen an improve too I am on 1500mg a day, it is a relief after trying all different shampoos too.

I wish you luck and hope that your scalp will also stop flaking soon.

Take care

Doogie

shenacat · 09-15-2002, 04:11 PM

It's italian. I don't think italians test their shampoos on bunnies.

scarlet · 09-15-2002, 07:49 PM

Thanks a million!

sassyred · 06-22-2005, 06:14 AM

i had flakes too, and i had no idea that it was the pcos...thanx to you guys now i do!!! i have tried everything i could think of...i even put lotion on my scalp along my hairline in the front so i dont look so gross !!

but the iching has not let up and the scratching makes more flakes!! ughhh!!! i will try the nizoral thanx a bunch!!!!!!!!!!!

Fantasy · 06-22-2005, 10:08 AM

well I've had flakes all my life & nothing really helped till I started using Fructis anti-dandruff shampoo. It hasn't totaly eliminated it but it is HUGELY reduced, it's now little flakes if I haven't washed my hair in like 2-3 days. whats more the rash I always had has finally cleared up

.
Good Luck Fan

Roobie · 06-22-2005, 10:51 AM

As far as I can tell, the flaky scalp can be part of what's called sebborheac dermatitis (sorry not sure of the exact spelling). It can also occur anywhere on the head, such as around the folds of the nose and ears, in the eyebrows etc. The bigger flakes on the scalp can almost look like cradle cap in some cases.
I believe it can be a result of the excess testosterone causing an over production of skin cell replacement, probably why Metformin drug has some impact as it will level out the hormones. I've been on met for 2 yrs without much change to my scalp and face.

After years of different shampoos, I have found what works best for me is to swap between a few shampoos over the course of a month, including a tea tree one in the mix. It's so frustrating, just when one starts working and I get all excited about it, the problem returns!
I have decided to take zinc supplements and try to treat it from the inside of my body, I have only been on it for the last month and had minor reduction in flakes.

Sorry, I have no suggestions for the hair probs, I don't have that but I hope you find something thats works for you.

Bethwyn · 06-22-2005, 12:05 PM

ugh, I have this too. My scalp is always itchy and dry, yet my hair is really oily. I have a big patch of sebborheac dermititus on the back of my head and it drives me wild. It itches, and because I have had it since I was about 8, I've gotten into a habit of subconsiously picking at it. Most of the time I don't even realise I've been picking at it until I notice that my shoulders are looking like a snow dome, lol. The flakes that come off it are really big too, and as Kangaroobie said, they look like cradle cap. I've tried lots of things to make it go away, but it will always, without fail, come back. At the moment, I'm just living with it. I have done for the past 13 years, I think I could probably live with it a bit longer.