Hot/Red /Itchy Scalp and Hair Loss _{Page 3 of 5}

This post is in response to Edenmarya. I'm not even sure she will see this or if this is still that active because it's now 2010. I just found it through a google search.
I wanted to say that after a spring and summer of losing my hair with all the redness, burning, itching, stinging, pain on my scalp I had a biopsy done mid August 2009. By the beginning of Sept. I found out the cause of my hair loss was from subacute cutaneous lupus. I also did not have a rash or any other major signs of lupus. I didn't even test positive in blood tests. But the doctors say that the biopsy isn't wrong because of the type of inflammation and how deep it is.
I also was using topical steroids like fluocinonide. They said the lupus was too deep, that the topical treatment wasn't reaching it. I've been on plaquenil for almost six months now. I have seen a big improvement in the loss of my hair. However, I'm still not where I was before this all started and I still have some weird symptoms.
I'm doing everything I can with diet and nutrition in hopes of weaning off the plaquenil one day. I have been told to not let my head get in the sun at all, not even walking to my car or the mailbox. It is affected by sun exposure. I think staying out of the sun has helped a lot with the redness and burning.

Hey there, you may want to try a small amount of sea vegetables to get the hair growing again. There are different kinds of sea vegetables but the best is bladderwhack, the strongest, and the second best is dulse kelp. Start with a very small amount to see how you tolerate it.

Good luck!

To: opefulhealing
Thank you for your update regarding your condition. I came to realize I have same problem with my skull and my upper chest.

All the symptoms that’s you mention from burning sensation, pain in finger joints to red bumps (look like little pimples). I am so depressed and have very low drive in myself, people around me just make things more stressful.

As a guy I feel less stamina and strength compare to my earlier years. I am 30 years old. I guess this disease takes over your whole body and make your everyday a suffering hell. Was plaquenil helpful in reducing redness and bumps on your skull. Also are you from states?

I am in desperate search of a compassionate and caring doctor, not some low life to take money and careless about their patients. Thank you in advance for your feedback.

Try using Jason Dandruff Shampoo. This is an instant remedy to heal your scalp and prevent future flare ups.
I was diagnosed with seborraic dermatitis and it gets aggravated by harsh commercial shampoos and dying my hair. This shampoo does not lather too much so when I have the itch controlled I alternate with Jason Jojoba or any other natural shampoo. The moment I tried it I knew it would work. and I had tried a lot of other shampoos before

Anyone looking for a more natural approach can make their own shampoo with one egg, a couple of tablespoons of olive oil, and a small amount of baking soda. You can rinse with a cup of apple cider vinegar and about a teaspoon of baking soda added in. Make sure that you use a large cup for this rinse because it fizzes, once the fizzing stops it is ready to use. Poor on head and let it sit for about 15 minutes, it helps to restore the PH to the hair, and the baking soda does too but the baking soda also SOFTENS THE HAIR. The shampoo and rinse has my daughter's hair growing back fast and it is very, very soft!

I too have the condition discussed in this forum. I too have now visited two very vexed dermotologists. I had sores initially which the dr biopsied and which did not lead to a clear diagnosis. I took a course of oral steriods in addition to injections into the scalp. This calmed my scalp somewhat. She then put me on plaquenil which did not help. My next dr gave me a liquid topical steroid and some antibiotics which gave me some relief but did not resolve the symptoms. After reading the posts in this forum, I purchased today some new shampoo and jojoba oil which I will mix with it.

I'd be very interested in updates on your status and specifically if you have found anything which helped. I am 2 - 3 years into this odyssey which is becoming increasingly maddening.

Thanks in advance for your feedback!

To MarkW: Look at your Lunula (whites on your fingernails). Are they present? Are there any ridges or abnormalities with your fingernails?

TO KittyKat:

No lunula, vertical ridges on all fingers.

I too was missing lunula with my hair loss. Look in your mouth - do you have an orange tinge? If so you should see an ENT for GERD..

I could NOT feel it, but I had GERD (gastro esoph reflux disease - acid reflux for short). To my understanding, it caused malabsorbtion - my body wasn't getting the nutrients I was putting in it. I had an amazing diet & my hair was falling out. I had an orange tinge in the inside of my mouth and sudden onset of cavities (among so many other issues listed on this site). Burning scalp is also a symptom of GERD - which is why my dermatologist was at a loss. I went to an ENT for sinunitis, but ended up diagnosing me with severe GERD too. With no insurance he prescribed Over-The-Counter 2 ea. Prilosec 30 min b4 breakfast, 2 ea. 30 min b4 dinner and then 1 Zantac at bed. It's the maximum OTC to take. I had hair loss (diagnosed telogen effluvium) for 1 yr and burning scalp.. It takes 3 mo. to get results w/ the meds. After one month on the meds I could suddenly feel the acid when I missed taking my pills. I've added Xtra Strength Mylanta to my regamin - as needed (when I feel it). My GERD was most likely caused from environmental issues - the arsenic in our water and nutrition - the amount of fruit that I was eating (a lot - juicing fruit smoothies daily). I wasn't drinking enough water either. (I was NOT over-eating or eating potato chips and taco bell.)

The acid changes your pH (hence it is acid). THis pH makes a friendly environment for dandruff/yeast. After a week on the proton pump inhibitors my family also notice the sudden hair growth.

Do you have an orange tinge (light or dark) in your mouth?

To all posters this may be everyone's solution. I`ve been through most what many have posted about and tried in vain to clear up the condition so I started experimenting. This is what i`ve found that works 100% and quickly. Buy some T/Gel therapeutic shampoo by Neutrogena. Instead of shampooing twice daily as recommended in the shower, try diluting the shampoo by 50% and apply it morning and night directly to hair, scalp, forehead etc. and leave it applied and do NOT wash it out. Use it like an ointment that stays on. Repeat this until condition is cleared up. You will see quick results after the first day. You can shower as usual just apply the treatment afterwords. GLTA

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KittyCat, read all your posts and I'm confused about the GERD/hair loss thing. If anything, less acid would likely lead to more hair loss as less vitamins would be absorbed. So I don't understand how that is helping your hair grow back.

How did you know you had GERD? What were the symptoms?

Hi all.

I have been going through all the posts here on this site. And I was a bit surprised to see all my symptoms posted here by Lucy. But where did she go? Did she find a cure for her misery disease.
In addition to the constant hair fall and depression I have,

'loss of memory and decrease in vision (particularly in my left eye). Also, I occasionally get burning sensations throughout my body. For example, sometimes I get a burning feeling on my leg, or on my arm, etc.'

Ok Lucy and Jakob! What was the final result of all your conversations? Please Lucy help me with this thing. I am posting this from here Eritrea-Africa. And we really have midical problems here. We don't have encouraged as well as talented Doctors.I have visited several times to them but nothing is new. So please send me a reply as soon as possible. MY BODY IS BURNING AND MY HAIR IS FALLING. DEPRESSION AND BLURED VISSION TOO.

Here waiting for your posts.

Wish you all the Best.
Eyob.

hi i suggest MG Method
i will say that i have seen hair growth on the nape of my neck and hairline where most was falling out.
but if you are itching , have a visit to a dermatologist

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Hello Lenora,

Thanks for your interest in trying to help.

The misery is still alive with me.

What do you mean by MG method? please clarify this to me.

wish u all my best.

I myself have a similar problem with my scalp. I used to perm my hair throughout high school (class of 2000), all the way to 2007. And ever since I have permed my hair, I have developed pimples in the scalp, baldness where the hair usually parts between the the top and the back of the head. The bumps can get irritated and sometimes bleed if pressure is applied. My scalp is also red.I have investigated this problem on many websites. Have not been to the dr. in a long long long time. I hate going out because I feel that people may stare at my bald spot but I have to work and go to the market. I never knew how bad it was until I took a picture with my phone less than a year ago. I stop using perms and now have an afro with a bald spot. I only apply olive oil on my head after shampooing but the problem is still there. Also whenever I pick my hair it often breaks. I saw the root on many occasions. I try not to pick as much but I at least try to look descent. On youtube I heard of people using wild hair growth formula or Jamaican oil. I don't know if that will work for me. And please don't say why don't you go to the doctor unless your going to pay for it. Times are rough for a single male living paycheck to paycheck. I do tend to stress. I even have little grey hair strands on the front ends of my hair since 2007. Please help.
I am 28 until August 27
Weight 285 or 286 lbs but I lost weight. I was around 330. I stand around 5'11 - 6'0 feet. Black male. May have high blood pressure. Wear glasses. Often get pain in the ankles after walking and it stays (more on the right than the left, and has had a hairline fracture before and sprain a few times). I don't know what I should do about it. Someone from my job says I may have water retention. Idk.

to spiker53 ,
i am interested to try your solution. did you also have hair loss? did it grow back with your solution??

thanks a lot

I realize this thread is 3 years old, but in case someone like me stumbles across it while looking for answers here's my two cents......

1. To the person who had spontaneous blurred vision and some other issues; I also had the same issue in addition to many other things. After 8 years of independent research, and unsympathetic doctors and an acquaintance with similar issues, here is my outcome: Leaky gut syndrome. Google it and read all the symptoms. You will need to see a holistic type doctor, other physicians do not recognize leaky gut syndrome as an illness, instead they like to prescribe you lots of drugs. I am currently doing a fresh juice fast via the REBOOT plan by Dr. Fuhrman,(free - he is not selling anything and that is always a good sign.) google it. I wish you luck in your recovery.
2. Now the hair loss. I am in my mid forties and had enough hair for three people, I rarely shed more than a dozen strands a day. I went to a doctor for something else and 3 days later my hair was falling out like I was an animal shedding a winter coat. It became sensitive, itchy at nape and sides and felt like it was burning, especially at the back, and some red bumps to make it all pretty, lol. 4 months later I went to pet sit for my mother and stayed overnight. Jump to 2 weeks later, my mother is telling me how her head itches and burns and it is falling out like crazy. She also has enough hair for 3 people. She did not know about my hair issues before hand. The only thing my head has touched in the last 2 years other than my own pillow is the one at the doctors office that day. My mothers pillows only had my head on them, and no one elses. I am convinced this is contagious. The person who posted about the scalp yeast infection, makes the most sense. Part of the leaky gut syndrome is a systemic (entire body) yeast infection. My tongue had been white for 7 years, and it wasn't thrush and none of the doctors were able to offer help. Finally, I am doing a detox and drinking a water/apple cider vinegar mixture and my tongue is no longer white. I am going to start doing teatments on my scalp now with the apple cider vinegar. I keep my pillows washed and dry, and use pillow protectors to elimate any dust mite issues. So I guess a new clean pillow every night might be in order to keep the yeast away until it's gone? GOOD LUCK and please do not let western doctors get you down. It isn't you, it's the the way modern medicine and drug companies are --You cannot make money if everyone is healthy. Many doctors do care about us but they are only human and have to follow protocols.

I believe sharing our stories will help us all heal. Keep posting.
[message edited by Prairie on Wed, 28 Sep 2011 11:13:01 BST]

After 4 years searching and keywording the net, I found you guys and this awesome thread!! First off thank you all!! Prarie said it best, keep posting and sharing!! :-) I have had itchy hair loss for 4 years now. I have it under control somewhat as of last year using tea tree oil shampoo daily and clobex rx shampoo as an auto immune suppressant. Also using Tsal from walgreens for a tar shampoo. Cutting the sugar and white bread out. Ok a little about me, I have gerd and have been on Prevacid for 8 years. There is no doubt that my leaking gut is not absorbing vital nutrients. What I have read is to get a lot of vitamin c or orange juice into your system for vitamin absorption. I've been eating raisons for iron and drinking green tea. It has helped quite a bit and my hair is hanging there at 41 y/o. I use the clobex when my scalp is raging - you all know how it feels in the morning , omg!! I race to the shower for relief. All of your stories are so insightful and meaning full for me after all research I've done to try and help myself. It's definitely time to give back. Ok guys, time for some juicing and yoga :0) thank you everyone!!!!

Well I also have the thinning hair and the itchy red scalp. I used topical treatments that didn't work.

I found out anxiety and stress, disrupts the digestive system. Your food or nutrients aren't being digested the way it should. It causes issues in healing your body. Immune issues 'Leaky Gut' syndrome.

I started to use Acidulous to help with my digestion cause what my Gastro was giving me did not help it feel better but not with healing my system. Or probiotic enzymes is another aid to help. Papaya enzymes, Pineapple enzymes at local health food stores also helped.

Another choice is a Chinese herbalist to help you detox and maintain a healthy digestive system. They prescribed teas that was made for me specifically after each meal. A friend referred me to a Herbalist/acupuncturist in China Town in my city it wasn't a lot and that helped.

The American food system has been compromised for maximum profit so I have eaten organic when I can, or locally grown. The meat supply with all of the hormones and antibiotics doesn't help either. If you can eat Raw or Vegan diet. Our systems are too acidic.

Apple Cider vinegar, lemon with water helps also, internally and externally. Try a little to see what works for your system in terms of the amounts to use.

I also eat less meat and acid producing foods. More leafy green veges such as Kale, Spinach, Collard Greens, Calaloo. Steam them or eat raw. I did regular salads like IceBerg or Romano don't have the nutrients or calcium to absorb some of the acid in the stomach lining and help with digestion. It reduces the acid and help to heal your digestive tract.

Juicing works but you need to do it often, and continuously or have it as part of your diet.

Another that help is Spirulina tablets it's a green algae that coats the stomach and help sooth the inflammation. I use to do Spirulina shakes with a banana protein powder at a health food shack.

Next is meditation, to alleviate my anxiety to help be feel calm and centered. I was looking for a magic pill and most of the side affects cause the 'Leaky Gut condition'. There is an estimate that 66% of all Americans have the 'Leaky Gut' syndrome. We are so stressed don't sleep when we should and have rested sleep. Plus our diets are not the best in a fast paced on the grid lifestyle. As someone said who do you want to pay more the doctor or your grocer.

Right now I have started eating a healthy diet with less sugar, gluten free, with more fiber, Coconut oil which helps the inflammation to cook with, some meat, but a lot more whole foods less processed founds, and vegetables and fruit. Sweet Potato more root vegetables.

Two Supplements for Leaky Gut that I have tried are Larch, and L-Glutamine. In addition to Biotin.

Basically, my immune system was lower I also added Kimchi to my diet which is a pickled cabbage that has Lactobacillus enzymes that breaks down your food and also help your inflammation and immune function.

The way I found out was that I was eating something once it hit my stomach I felt it go into my blood stream and a little while later the inflammation started. It was my scalp, my stomach, my back.

The redness has stopped, I still have some of the itching it isn't as bad. I just looked at an old license picture with my thick hair I use to have I want it back. I appreciate it more now. I see baby hair growing back in at my temples. Try whatever works for you. Hope I was able to help.

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Hello all,

This thread has been around for awhile now, and I am not sure how active it is. However, I think we have all stumbled upon something (albeit unluckily) that western/modern medicine has missed. After being told, by a top hair and scalp derm at a top 10 medical school, that my condition was psychosomatic (in other words it was all ‘in my head’ not on my head), this forum brought me great hope. We need to continue supporting each other.

In that vein, I am a 30 year old male suffering from many of the symptoms discussed previously. About a year and half ago, I started having severe itching and dandruff. Soon after, I noticed a lot of hair in my hands when I shampooed. So much hair was lost that it clogged my drain and I had to have it snaked. I went to a derm at a top med school, who abruptly diagnosed me with Seborrhoeic Dermatitis, conveniently after I told him I had previously been diagnosed with SD on my face. He proscribed fluocinonide and Ketoconazole fluocinonide was completely unhelpful. The Ketoconazole shampoo was working initially but it left my hair dry and brittle. Eventually neither Rx worked at all. It’s important to note that I have always had super thick hair, so shedding while alarming to me, was reasonably difficult for the doctors to appreciate.

I went to another derm., a specialist in hair and scalp conditions and head of research at a top 5 med school. She seconded the first diagnosis and proscribed the same Ketoknolzole shampoo with clobetasol spray. The Clobetasol burnt my scalp when I was flaring, and didn’t seem to aid at all. I also noticed that when I rubbed the spray into my hair I would have hair on my hand. The hair became less responsive to the shampoo over time. I went back to the derm and she reviewed blood test, checked my thyroid, and concluded everything was normal. She then dispassionately signaled that she didn’t want to see me anymore, and that the condition was manifested from my mind. Further, she suggested I see a neurologist for a nerve disorder, because the pain – burning and tightness - I was feeling in my scalp was just not consistent with Seborrhoeic Dermatitis. I said, so maybe I have something else. She said, what else could it be? Clearly, it was time to try a new doc. At this point my hair was thinning but it wasn’t very noticeable.

After persistent symptoms I tried a new approach, a cosmetic derm. My thought was that the previous derms were bound by research and theory and a cosmetic derm would be more focused on results, rather than how they were attained. He proscribed nizoral and clobetasol shampoo. I was not hopeful that either would work. The nizoral was unhelpful. But the clobetasol, definitely reduced my symptoms. Although I didn’t notice any increase in hair volume, just a slowing of thinning. However, I was concerned about using the clobetasol because it is not suggested that a patient use it for more than 4 weeks. Using it as a life long remedy is not appealing. In any case, eventually I ran out. I didn’t wash my hair for a week, and my symptoms were worse than ever.

For the last week my head has been burning and tight. I have been loosing an extreme amount of hair and bald spots are becoming visible all around my head. Two days ago I used Neutrogena TSAL shampoo in my head. But, I used it in a different method. I squirted a generous amount on my scalp before showering and used a little water to lather it in my head. I let it sit for about an hour. Eventually all the pain was gone but it was replaced by an unbearable itch. I then took a shower, rinsed out the TSAL, and re-shampooed with Nizoral. When I was done there was no more itch, but the itch replaced by an awful burning. After a few hours the burning subsided and my scalp felt great. The next morning I had scabs all over my scalp but the itching and burning was not present. I decided not to wash my hair that day due to the fragile condition of my scalp. Today I still have scabs but the itching and hair loss has returned. I don’t know what to do next. I may try Rogaine for the hair loss.

Tibit, I have had digestion problem. My stool has been very soft. I started taking probiotics which seemed to be helping but my routine was interrupted due to the holidays.

I am really troubled. I even considered going to see a doctor, supposedly a hair loss guru, at NYU who charges $800 a visit AND DOESN’T TAKE INSURANCE. I’m scared I will lose all my hair before I figure out what’s going on.

I will post my failures and success. Hopefully, we can help each other get through this problem.

I am a 28yo female and I have been losing my hair since September 9, 2011. I had big white bulbs attached up untill about 3 weeks ago and now the white bulbs are smaller and some I dont see any bulbs. Hair strands are also much thinner now.

I applied a hair color remover to my hair in September and thats when the itchy scalp and hair loss started.my scalp didnt produce oil for almost 2 months. Then came the red and burning scalp once my scalp started producing oil again. I found that laying down relieves a lot of the burning and inflammation.
The first derm I saw said he didnt see anything wrong with my hair or scalp except for some dandruff. He told me my scalp was red because I kept touching it and said I had plenty of hair (he was almost completely bald himself). He said it looked like telogen effluvium and it would probably stop in less than 6 months. But he gave me a topical steroid (fluconiside?) in case there might be inflammation. The steroid made my scalp a lot worse and caused a bunch of bumps to appear. I called and told about the side effects and he told me to take claritan for 6 weeks and come back if it didnt work... I found a new dermatologist a month and half later.

This derm acted more concerned and diagnosed me with seb dermatitis and psorasis. She gave me nizoral 2% shampoo and clobestol foam. The shampoo seemed to help at first and so did the steroid but then my scalp started burning evern worse. So I called and reported side effects and she put me on an antibiotic for 7 days for possible infection.

I called today to schedule a scalp biopsy because I want a definate answer to my hair loss and I need to know if its scarring or not. The nurse scheduled me an apointment in 3 weeks. I cant take the wondering anymore. Will my hair stop falling out? Will it ever be able to grow back? Is the inflammation scarring? will I need a wig? Will I be ok? Im sick of these questions going through my head.

I have found a couple shampoos that work very well on my scalp as I am sensitive to regular shampoos with all the chemicals in them. I use all natural skincare psoriasis shampoo along with california babys tea tree and lavender shampoo. I mix 2/3 of the psoriasis shampoo and mix 1/3 california baby shampoo. I only use conditioner on my ends every other day. There are absolutely no chemicals in the shampoos I use.

After I finish this antibiotic I plan to do a liver cleanse as my liver enzymes are elevated and I believe the hair color remover was toxic to my scalp, hair, and internal organs.

One more thing, my scalp is orange in some places and I have no idea why. still trying to figure that out.

Hi-please post your case on
an individual thread on this
forum and let someone help you
with homeopathic prescription
that will stimulate your vital force
to heal all of this. Each person
is going to have different homeo
meds bc they are based on your
unique mental and physical self.

Just reading a www interhomeopathy.org
link this morning on here with 3 cases
of aids cured with three different remedies- if it can do that it can
fix your scalp.What is the downside-Zero.
it is going to be much better
than what you are struggling with
now with limited Western medicine.

Regards, Simone

lucky83,

Your symptoms sound very similar to mine. I remember using a Caribbean oil on my scalp right before I noticed the hair loss/itching/pain. Although, I'm not sure if its connected. At my most recent derm visit the Dr. prescribed Propecia.

Would you like to touch base off the board so we can compare treatments and stay up to date on each others progress?

My email is LarryLeverage(at)gmail. the site doesn't let us post emails, forgive the unusual way I posted it.

Well I finally got the itching to stop, They say don't itch with is true but I couldn't stop.

Anyway I was advised to get a good clarifying shampoo with a a pH balance of 4.5-5.5 then after washing it lather again and keep it on your hair go under the drying or a heating cap or just wrap in a towel. This solution gets into the scalp and clean away any debris.

After I did this it stopped itching, I just applied conditioner. It has been okay so far for the first time doing it. Also a good supplement for hair growth is MSM Sulfur, I also take biotin. My hair is getting longer and starting to fill in. Will continue to do this. Also someone else recommended folicure shampoo I will add this to my routine.

everyone,

For the last 12 months my scalp was itchy, red, sore pimples and massive hair loss / thinning.

I tried everything nizoral, t-gel, dermovate. Nothing worked, actually the dermovate made my scalp much much worse.

2 weeks ago, I tried head and shoulder shampoo and conditioner both labled for itchy scalp, and today I have no itchyness, all the redness is gone and i can actually see hair growing back where the bald spots were.

Hope this can help any of you suffering.

martin.ireland

Were you ever diagnosed with a condition? Was your scalp inflamed? Im just asking because Im thinking about trying it. I have become sensitive to chemicals so Im a little cautious with new shampoos but Im willing to give it a try.