Anyone have eczema or psoriasis on their head?

[DocRafiki]

The dermatologist is not sure which I have since it was not flaring up during my appointments (typical). Psoriasis runs in my family, and I have eczema on my hands, so it could be either. Of course, I can't get over to the doctor any time soon.

What works for you? I got these vitamin D drops to use (from the dermatologist). I think it worked for a while, but then I think I got a rash from it. The lesions were different from what I normally get. Now the normal lesions are showing up, and I know it's going to get worse when I go up north in the dryness/cold next week. I have this Nutrogena spray that keeps the flakes from being so obvious for about 12 hours, but that stuff smells like men's cologne. Not sure I want to do the Vit D drops again since I don't want to have a big rash on my forehead (not sure it was a reaction).

Any success stories with either of these conditions?

 

[Pop Daddy]

pic

 

[BrittnTylersMom]

Neutrogena T-Gel shampoo works really good on different scalp conditions. It's been a big help when my psoriasis decides to flare up every now and then. It smells awful, so I use a nice smelling conditioner after shampooing.

HTH!

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I have used the T Gel as well. There is also a product called Scalpacin but I have never used it so I don't know how effective it is.

 

[GreenEyes0205]

This might sound weird because it's not what the doctor's say to do, but it works for me & my cousin. A day at the beach with the salt water & sun. Something magical about that water. I have had eczema since I was 5 years old. Each summer my parents would take me to the beach, it would all clear up. My aunt tried the same for my cousin & it also worked. Back when I was 5 (35 years ago) the treatment was to sit under a UV light. So the sun did make sense back then.

When it flares up in the winter, I just go to a tanning salon for a couple of visits & it heals right up. Thankfully it doesn't happen often at all, maybe once a year now. Good luck!!

 

[kadaten]

I have psoriasis of the scalp and none of the OTC shampoos worked for me. Went through 4 different prescription treatments before finding one that worked for me and I was free of it for 2.5 months. Don't remember the name at the moment...well, was it clobetasol? Can't remember which worked and which didn't...sorry. I will say I did NOT like the peanut oil treatment....that was nasty. (Wash hair. While damp, massage peanut oil into scalp very well. Put on shower cap. Wait one hour. Massage medicine into scalp. Put back on shower cap. Sleep in it, or leave on for several hours at least. Like I said...nasty. The theory is the oil loosens the flaky skin so the meds can penetrate...) Will check my medicine cabinet tonight. Anyway, it is a topical steroid that finally did the trick for me. But, it is flaring back up again....need to start using them again.

I've noticed my flare-ups tend to be caused by stress....when I get under a lot of stress the lesions start showing up again....the more stress, the bigger the outbreak. I hate psoriasis, but I guess it could be worse. Mom has it everywhere EXCEPT on her scalp. Hers is kept at bay with UV treatment, a.k.a. the tanning bed....and recently something her dermatologist has custom-mixed....it's the med that worked for me but he has something added to it....

Good Luck!

 

[DocRafiki]

Well the stress thing would make sense, kataden. I had a big "drama" just 3 days ago. Also about the steroid -- I was hoping to not have to use steroids. Doesn't chronic use make you lose hair in that spot? That's what happens on our furry patients who use topical steroids chronically.

I use Dermatop on the eczema on my hands -- a bit too greasy for the scalp.

I do use the Neutrogena T-gel, too. The Denorex worked for me for YEARS, then it just stopped working. Then I noticed that they had changed their formula from coal tar to salicylic acid. That's when I started using the T-gel. I think the Neutrogena spray-on is salicylic acid as well, but it seems to work when I drench my scalp in it. I just hate to smell like cheap men's cologne; I get really close to people at work and I know they can smell it.

Maybe I just need to get some sun (my white skin agrees). I'm not a beach bunny, so I don't see the salt water thing happening.

I've never heard of the peanut oil treatment -- yuck! I can't see me doing that!

Jason -- ain't gonna happen.

Hmmm -- wonder if I can get the health insurance to pay for tanning bed therapy

 

[shortbun]

I use a shampoo called DHS. I shampoo daily to keep dirt
and allergens under control. I also delete dairy from my diet
when I have a flair up-helps healing and dairy sometimes
causes the flair up. I usually limit my dairy to occassional cheese.
I've noticed that mine gets worse right before it rains, signalling
allergy to dirt in the air.

 

[powellrj]

my guys suffer from psoriasis. The best thing they have found to use is pine tar soap and shampoo. It doesn't smell the best, but it really does work. I also have to second the tanning bed. Thats what the Dr said to use and it seems to help. good luck!

 

[phorsenuf]

could you explain to me what this is. Last weekend I broke out with the most itchiness case of something on my scalp! I thought it was hives as a few appeared here and there (even swelled up my eyes). Those are all gone but my head itches unbelievale still! It feels like there are little welts and when I scratch they hurt more and seem to grow bigger.
The Dr. suggestedtaking Zythromax(?),because I can't take benedryl. I haven't taken any because I thouht it was going away and I just hate taking meds anyways.
Could this be what you are all talking about? Any info would be helpful. Thanks so much!

 

[TennVolTony]

There is a new oral medicine out to treat psoriasis. I have had the condition for years and have tried everything known to man.

The medicine is calle Soriatain and it's taken orally. It works GREAT! Ask your doctor about it. You have to have blood work done before you can take it. There are some small side effects but nothing serious. After about 3 weeks of taking this I was 60% clear....I've been taking it for 3 months now and I'm 95% clear...........

 

[Auggietina]

I have been using Tea Tree shampoo from Regis and it has helped a lot.

 

[luvwinnie]

I have psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, but none on scalp. Here is a great site...www.psoriasis.org

 

[Keggy]

I have psoraisis all over my scalp. I use something called clobatasol. I have treid a lot of things with my dermatologist and that is the only thing that has helped. There was a daily pill she wanted me to take but I am on another prescription that would counteract it.

None of the over the counter medicines or shampoos has helped me.

Kelly

 

[dizmomof2]

My daughter has this as well. Right now we are useing Nizorol. It's OTC. We alternate that with Aveda's Rosemary and Mint shampoo every second month. Interestingly enough, after find that a shampoo that was working for us suddenly stopped working a dermitologist confirmed that shampoos will lose efectivness after a while as your scalp adjust to them. She reccomends alternating shampoos every one to two months. Those shappos that stopped working for her were great again after a couple of month break from them!

 

[waughzee]

A shampoo with Tea tree oil in it should help.

 

[2bemarried]

My dad has had psoriasis for about 15 years. He's used a variety of oils, shampoo's..etc. He eventually shaved his head b/c it was so bad on his scalp. Just be careful washing your clothes. I can remember back when he was using some yellowish oil and it would get on his t-shirts...and ended up ruining our clothes when it went through the wash.

He has a tanning light as well...and I "think" the insurance paid for a percentage of it...but not the majority of the cost b/c of the dangers of the UV light compared to the psoriasis.

This might sound weird because it's not what the doctor's say to do, but it works for me & my cousin. A day at the beach with the salt water & sun. Something magical about that water.

There is something in salt water that helps to heal the welps...so my parents spend A LOT of time at the beach in the summer time.

I'm honestly not up to date on all the pill form of medications that are out now..but I know dad still isn't on them b/c the doctor is worried about the effects they have on a person's liver.

 

[nuke]

I have eczema on my scalp and forehead. The one treatment that has worked the best is Nizoral shampoo but it has to be the prescription strength. The OTC version doesn't work. I've tried clobetasol and that works but if I am having a flare up it burns.

Also Paul Mitchell Tea Tree shampoo works pretty good for keeping it under control.
Good Luck, it suck having flaky skin.

 

[kadaten]

Ok...checked my medicine cabinet.

First I used prescription strength Nizorall...no effect.
Then prescription Tarsum shampoo...no effect.
Then prescription Sebulex shampoo...reduced lesions by 25% or so.

Then some type of mousse to work into my hair... Synalar, I think it was called.....no effect. (It also comes in a dropper form.)

Then Derma-Smoothe (the peanut oil treatment)....too yucky and time-consuming to do enough to see if it had an effect.

Then clobetasol, a liquid that got put on in drops and massaged in. Using it with the Sebulex, my lesions lessened and finally went away after 2 months on both of them together.

Yes, the steroids (clobetasol and Synalar...main ingredient fluocinolone acetonide) will make you lose some hair. BUT, I was losing SO much from the psoriasis already, that it didn't matter! It was that bad. Even my DH and hair dresser noticed that the worst patch on my head was thinned by 50% or so from the outbreak....luckily it was on the back of my head and the hair from the top of my head covered it. When the patches were finally gone, the next time I made it to the hair dresser she was AMAZED at the amount of new hair growth....she said I had at least as many new hairs (only 1 inch long then) as I did old ones on that part of my head. I'm just glad it all came back!!

Good luck!!

 

[Rajah]

I'd also like to know more about this -- I seem to get these small "rough" patches kinda like scabs on my scalp that itch like crazy as well, and horrible dandruff. Never thought there was anything I could do about it. Could this be the same thing?