My scalp is driving me crazy!

[katiebug23]

i have had itchy scalp since i was a teenager, but it was usually seasonal. when the weather changed i had problems for a month or two and then it went away. around 22 it seemed to stick around longer, so i got the neutrogena t-gel and that helped a lot. i've been using that seasonally with great results, until this year. I switched to extra strength and it helped for a couple of weeks. However, its been 3 months and its getting worse! even the extra strength is not helping! I know that a lot of my other symptoms are caused by vitamin deficiencies or problems with other things. Does anyone know if the itchy scalp is linked to other health concerns?

[Deb34]

but I've cured my greasy crusty danduffy scalp through the strangest method.

I've stopped using shampoo(that's right- I don't use shampoo anymore!). I wash my hair with only conditioner and scalp massage(this is critical to success) and after a shampoo withdrawal and disgusting hair for a couple of weeks, my hair and scalp are the cleanest and happiest they've ever been. I really was sceptical about this but I had nothing to lose (Suave Naturals conditioner is super cheap) and possibly relief to gain.
I haven't used shampoo for 6 months now and my scalp is no longer inflamed and red, no crusting or flaking and my hair is no longer oily. Before I went shampoo free, I could only go 1 day between washings and my hair was a greaseball that smelled. I tried an experiement to see how long it would take for my hair to become oily after co-wash and at day 9 (uhhuh- day 9) my hair wasn't oily but was dirty from dust and pollution etc. I probably could have gone longer but wanted clean hair again.

Here's a link to explain the whole deal.

http://www.livecurlylivefree.com/curl%20care.htm

this explains the science behind the sulphate-free cleansing method.

[amanda_gail_81]

Thanks for posting that link Deb! I have naturally curly hair and the information on that site is very informative and I think the no shampoo approach is worth giving a shot!

Do you have naturally curly hair?

[jeminijad]

No poo works.

Cheap conditioner with no "-cone" ingredients, SLATHERED on, scrub scalp, rinse for a long time, finish with cool water.

[Deb34]

Do you have naturally curly hair?

Yes, I've fought my curly hair my whole life, trying to make it straighter. I've pretty much given up that fight and am now focusing on making my curly hair healthy and strong. When I went no'poo, I found that my curls became much curlier than they had ever been in my life before and although I haven't got a complete handle on how to control frizz and styling issues, my scalp and hair have never been cleaner and fresher.

[Tina Castle]

I have the same problem. Itchy scalp and HUGE chunks of dandruff always comes out on the comb when I'm doing my hair. I've been this way forever and it doesn't matter how often I wash my hair the dandruff still comes. I didn't know it was a PCOS symptom until I was diagnosed.

I use hair products that help combat dry itchy, flaky scalp. I'm not sure if it works on all types of hair though.

[Sarrahhh]

Nizoral 1% or 2% every 2nd or third wash - ie 2 or 3 times a week.

In USA I think you will need a prescription. In Australia - just go to the Chemist (drugstore to those in USA haha).

As PCOS changes your hormones ie increases insulin, - making your free testosterone increase which affects skin and hair (sometimes your general levels of Testosterone stay the same so testing at doctor is of no benefit he will usually say oh its normal... the free on is the one that counts)... making some women have greasey hair and acne....taking metformin and eating low GI and exercising can help.

Unfortuantely for PCOS women with the hair loss gene - it can trigger AGA androgenetic alopecia - which just means hairloss similar to a mans... it never gets as bad as a man but many PCOS with the hairloss gene get premature thinning of their hair (I am one of them).

Genetics is complex but if you have a balding , father,brother grandfather you may have the gene.. then again you may not... by the mid to late 20's if you have PCOS and you haven't had any significant hairloss you are usually safe.... May women with thick heads of hair have the hairloss gene but don't have PCOS so the gene is masked and never revealed.

I used to have VERY VERY thick wiry hair and when PCOS kicked in about age 29 30 - I lost alot of hair and still do... my hair is alot thinner than it used to be.

Anyway I am rambling we were talking about greasy hair and dandruff... try the Nizoral - its very very good in preventing dandruff, stopping the itch. reducing greasyness and for those who are losing hair due to PCOS....it is used by most of the women on the Heralopecia website and can slow hairloss too.

[Hezzer]

Nizoral 1% or 2% every 2nd or third wash - ie 2 or 3 times a week.

In USA I think you will need a prescription. In Australia - just go to the Chemist (drugstore to those in USA haha).

You can get it without a prescription here in the US.

I did give it a try a while back, but found it just dried my hair out terribly.

[Sarrahhh]

Unfortunately yes it does so you need a really deep Good condition afte you use Nizoral. Its very annoying too as if you colour your hair it will fade colour alot faster too. I only use it now and then.. not as much as I should cos it fades my foils and makes my hair dry but it really works if you use it once a week.
Most of the people on the male and female hair loss sites use it - along with Rogaine etc.

[PookahGirl]

I too have had the itchy dry scalp and then when I do not wash daily like the dermatologist told me to do I have very oily roots.

I have found that Tree Tea Oil shampoo as mentioned earlier does help alot. I have found the gerneric version sold at Sally Beauty Supply stores is much less costly and works just as effective. Usually I am okay until my scalp sweats and then it is itch city. I just wash and condition with the tree tee products and I am great.

I do use cholesterol on my hair about once every month or so to help keep the ends nice and soft. I put on handfuls of it and pur on a shower cap and let it sit for about half hour and then rinse it out. Works magic!

[Corvidae]

I haven't had a flake of dandruff in the last 20 years. I stumbled on the solution by accident and found out later that it was exactly the right thing to do.

Wash your hair daily if you can, or at least every other day. Put shampoo on your hair first thing when you get into the shower. Massage it into your scalp for at least 30 seconds with the pads of your fingers, it feels weird at first but now I can't start the day without a scalp massage and I've heard increasing the blood flow to your scalp using massage can help with PCOS hair loss too.

Then leave the shampoo on your hair for at least two minutes -- I think I average about 5 minutes. I usually leave it on for whatever time it takes to wash the rest of my body and shave whatever needs it. Then rinse the shampoo off very thoroughly. I have slightly oily hair so I don't use a conditioner very often but if you do make sure you use the conditioner only on the ends of your hair.

You can use anti-dandruff shampoo at first but you can switch to a normal shampoo once the flakes have gone. The scalp massage and leaving the shampoo on for two minutes are what you really need to continue.

[Tikki]

[quote]One of my symptoms of PCOS is a horrible dry scalp/dandruff and oily/greasy hair (closest to scalp).[/quot]

GAH I didnt realize this was another annying symptom of the mutation. I've been whining about it for ages...I get chunks on the back of my head sometimes too. I used to use H&S, with no luck. Selsum Blue made my head burn. I did try moisturizing shampoo,w hich worked for a little while, but not long. I'll try the estringent.

BTW, my hair gets oily after about 6 hours from my shower... I think I might break down and stop shampooing all together. Its supposed to be really good for you.
I cant find the original article I read, but this has some info: http://loftymatters.com/2009/04/no-pooers/

They say it improves your scalp and your hair

[Kdragonfly]

I have psoriasis on my elbows, knees, and legs. I also have some on my head. I use triamcinolone 0.1% on my skin and lay in the tanning bed and it has greatly improved everywhere except my head. I'm giving up on that one. If anyone finds something that works let me know.

[Marvinsmomma]

Since I was 12 I've had an itchy and oily scalp. It was so bad that I would develop patches that reminded me of hot spots on a dog. About five years ago I got fed up and went to a dermatologist who wrote me a prescription for Loprox - a medicated shampoo. It was $50 with insurance and it worked wonders. I see a different dermatologist now and she wrote a prescription for a generic - Ketoconazole. Both Loprox and Ketoconazole are antifungal agents and have taken away the embarrassing flakes and god awful itching. It wasn't until this year that I realized the PCOS probably was the culprit behind my itchy scalp. Since I've been on Metformin I've noticed my scalp issues have subsided a bit.

[meaganbryant24]

you know i have this same problem i have a really itchy scalp and my hair is so oily that i can wash my hair in the morning and by 6 pm its so oily its not funny i thought it was just bad genes lol glad i know its not all in my head. heres what ive been doing.....
i use the tea tree conditioner i bought at cost cutters i use it every morning i wake up and wet my hair in the tub apply and put on a shower cap then i go down stairs an make breakfast eat really quick go up stairs and rinse it out works like a charm.