Chronic dry scalp - any ideas?

[melbotoast]

Ever since DD was born I've had a really dry scalp. I was hoping it was a hormonal thing that would clear up when I finished nursing but it has been 6 months now and I haven't seen any improvement. My scalp is very dry, itchy and sometimes flaky. I've also had drier eyes and skin but I've been able to deal with those.

 

I have tried:

various OTC stuff (Head & Shoulders, coal tar shampoo, etc.) - none of these really helped

Malibu C Scalp Therapy set - this worked well for quite a while

Nioxin - this works pretty well, but I don't like it

drinking more water - I can tell it makes a difference with my dry eyes, but doesn't seem to make a difference with scalp

fish oil - can't tell a difference

 

I'd rather not have to use Nioxin forever. Any other ideas for me? Thanks :)

[Seasider]

Flax seed oil capsules, 3000 (mg or iu?) daily.

 

May seem drastic, but a listerine rinse might help. Have you tried any food eliminations?

[hornblower]

Get a dr to look at it.  There are prescription shampoos & medication for dealing with more serious seborrheic dermatitis. 

I'd also consider increasing your dose of essential fatty acid & making sure it was a good one. Some of the lower quality ones don't have as good an effect....

[dancingmama]

This sounds hokey but I had chronic, serious dry scalp. I had allergy testing done for another reason and discovered an milk allergy. A month of no milk and I noticed my scalp wasn't dry anymore. Coincidence? I don't think so.

[Lawana]

1. Hypothyroid. Consider testing. You would need a complete panel, including TSH, FT3, FT4, RT3. Many Drs only test TSH and FT4 if you are lucky. Any other other symptoms such as low body temp, hair loss (I know that is tricky postpartum, because it is normal to lose a bunch of hair, depression? See Stop the Thyroid Madness website if this is a possibility. It is pretty common to have ne thyroid problems after a birth.

 

2. Consider dropping shampoo and using baking soda and vinegar instead.

[Pawz4me]

Ditto having your thyroid tested. Before I was finally diagnosed my scalp, hair, skin and eyes were all incredibly dry. What about your eyebrows -- are you noticing any loss of hair around the outer one third of those? That's another common symptom.

[melbotoast]

I don't think it is a food issue because I was on a crazy elimination diet for my nursling - no milk, wheat, eggs, etc. I was hoping to avoid seeing a doctor but I may give in at some point :) I will read up on thyroid issues and see if anything sounds familiar. I think my eyebrows are fine, but I'll ask DH what he thinks.  :huh: Thanks for all the ideas, you guys are the best on the internet!

[Peach]

I am following this because I have a stubborn patch, lower back scalp, that just won't budge. Coal tar shampoo seemed to make it worse, OTC stuff has no effect, and the prescription shampoo I tried had no effect after using the whole bottle. It started about the time we moved here, so I am wondering if it's the hard water. 

[PrincessMommy]

I've had itchy scalp issues for many years.  I used the extra strength Head and Shoulders (the dark blue bottle) for a couple of years with great success.  However, about a month ago it suddenly seemed to stop working.  So much so that I thought my dog had given me fleas :ohmy:.  I happened to have some Neem shampoo from an outbreak of head-lice a few years ago and read it was good as a flea repellent and it also mentioned that it was good for general itchy scalp and other skin issues.

 

Anyway, all that to say that it worked the first time.  I finally had relief.  Now I use it all the time and it seems to be working great.  It's much thinner than regular shampoo, and it stinks.  I also use regular conditioner and I don't notice a lingering smell at all.  If I use the H&S just one time my head it itchy again that night.

 

https://www.amazon.com/TheraNeem-Gentle-Therape-Shampoo-Organix/dp/B00020DY2O/ref=sr_1_1_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1468116047&sr=8-1&keywords=neem+shampoo

 

 

[melbotoast]

I am following this because I have a stubborn patch, lower back scalp, that just won't budge. Coal tar shampoo seemed to make it worse, OTC stuff has no effect, and the prescription shampoo I tried had no effect after using the whole bottle. It started about the time we moved here, so I am wondering if it's the hard water. 

 

DH got me a shower filter. It goes on the shower head and filters out chlorine and some other stuff. I'm not sure how much of a difference it made for my scalp, but it is much more pleasant if I get water in my eyes. I'd love to get a water softener though.

 

In other news, I bought Listerine this morning and DH has approved my eyebrows :)

[lailasmum]

I developed a major sensitivity to most shampoo, basically the common detergents. It was so uncomfortable and my scalp was raw and so dry. I went over to using a conditioning cleanser for a while and now I'm using a super gentle shampoo from a natural skin care company that has a different cleanser in it. It took a while for my skin to heal completely.

[grantmeawish]

I have always had dry scalp and still alternate dry scalp shampoos. I shampoo 2-3 times a week. The other times I use only conditioner. I use a hot oil treatment once a week and this seems to be the key to keep flaking and itchiness at bay. I use Alberto v05 oil...I know it's so 80's😊

[Peach]

I've wondered about doing that. I have coconut oil, I may try it.