Fungus on my scalp... going insane!

[ladykemma]

i had the exact same symptoms, including the maddening picking and crusts.

i used Nizoral fungus shampoo, with a little success. the salycylic acid shampoo got rid of the crusts.

but the problem completely abated when i switched to conditioner only scalp cleaning with suave water liliy and aloe conditioner.

[wintersun99]

Would henna be an appropriate option? I believe that it is antifungal, no?

[Darkhorse1]

This sounds more like psoriasis or eczema--I'm not a doctor, but have you seen a dermatologist? They are the ones to give you a more accurate diagnosis than a regular GP.

I would wait to see a skin specialist before using any of the suggestions here, as it may aggrivate the condition.

To help sooth the itch, I use a zinc based shampoo, and it makes it feel SO much better (less itchy). Head and Shoulders has a new formula, which worked for my sore scalp when I had a reaction to a new shampoo. I have dandruff and have had a condition like yours when I was really stressed out. A zinc based shampoo really, really helped sooth those scales and itch. My Dr then prescribed a steriod based topical drop for my scalp and it cleared up after two uses (I'm not big on steroids, so I used this sparingly--they were topical, but still).

Hope that helps!

[Pilgrim]

I would certainly chime in for tea tree oil as a treatment, but your diet should be considered, also. Try cutting out sugar (if that is in your diet) and see if that helps. I'm thinking apple cider vinegar rinses could be of some help, as well.

[QueenMadge]

I have had psoriasis since I was a child and I have used all kinds of things to help it. I remember vividly as a child picking at the scabby bumps...it became an anxiety relieving activity.

I have used prescribed and over the counter treatments. The most effective for me have been straight apple cider vinegar for the itch and Jason's dandruff shampoo. I believe it has tea tree oil in it. I use the apple cider vinegar when I have a scalp flare up to help relieve the itch and to reduce the psoriasis patches. Either straight or diluted in a plastic hair dye bottle purchased from Sally's beauty supply. I have added tea tree oil to it as well when the outbreak was particularly bad. I would suggest though seeing a dermatologist and confirming the diagnosis if possible.

Good luck and I am sorry you are going through this.

[angelic]

It sounds like you might have a bad case of seborrheic dermatitis, as you described my own symptoms to a "t" and that is what I have. The prescribed scalp lotion "Valisone" has been the most helpful for my outbreaks. At the same time, if that is the case, I am surprised that your doctors are baffled about it as it is a fairly common condition.

The scaling that you get are also called "plaques". I get them on the nape of my neck and around my ear line. Nizoral shampoo is certainly the first thing I would recommend trying, but I recommend that you go to your doctor and ask for a prescription to treat seborrhoea.

With seborrhoea you have to find a balance between washing too much, and washing too little. I can only go a maximum of two days of not washing my hair before my scalp is aggravated. Natural organic shampoos with no perfumes have been a huge help. I tried tea tree oil on my scalp and it made it worse...it might work for you though.

[willowcandra]

I have nothing to add as I don't have experience or knowledge in the area but I just wanted to send (((hugs))) and hope you find a solution soon.


(although.......I did have a big flaky thick picable patch on my head as a teenager and it went after using t gel shampoo which is a medicated tar type poo.--needed lots of conditioner on hair though)

[AutumnLeaves]

I am not an authority by any stretch of the imagination. But I'm wondering if it could be something similar to cradle cap or sebum build up? I'm wondering if it would hurt too much to give it a really good scrubbing (possibly using a brush on the scalp itself to help loosen up or dislodge the "fungus"? I know that live acidophilus, which can be found in yogurt, might help too. You might try eating more yogurt or taking the acidophilus (both with "live" cultures) orally, and even using plain yogurt on your head (I'd work it into the scalp and let it sit on your head for a couple of hours) might not go a long way towards helping you. These are just thoughts and though it might take a month of trying it, it is fairly organic and cheap to do. I'm not sure the health benefits of yogurt on the head, but I would expect it definitely couldn't hurt and you might even find it does nice things to your hair.

I'm glad you came to LHC and I so hope you love it here as much as I do! Picking is a hard habit to break, just like biting nails...but I hope you can try to force yourself not to pick!

[JessTheMess]

My fiance has the same thing!!! I oil his head every other night and it still comes back. He's tried head and shoulders as well. Time to see the doc I guess

[Village Mama]

I have psoriasis and it sounds exactly the same. Mine is more of an internal issue than anything(topical things can help it feel better)... but for me it took a big diet change to show a permanent change for the better.