itchy scalp

[joeoconnell]

i find myself scratching my head all the time and with great vigor. i'm wondering if it is caused by all the mediations i'm taking. thought i would ask if anyone else has this problem. you know how misery likes company

[JoelT]

I have not yet come across anyone who has reported any of the drugs causing an itchy scalp, but anything is possible. Also, you didn't mention what drugs you are taking.

Some thoughts:

Have you changed any of your hygiene habits like more or less hair washing?

How about changing any shampoos or soaps?

Have you had exposure to a youngster who might have shared head lice with you?

Any new or different hair products?

Any change in sun exposure?

Joel

[joeoconnell in reply to JoelT]

i have so many health issues that call for various meditations the list is long and i don't know how to type, so i avoided listing them. i have just recently started on zytiga,maybe that's it.

[Olman in reply to joeoconnell]

I noticed that after being on Lupron a while my skin dried out and I've lost all my body hair, but thankfully none off my face or scalp.

You may be experiencing a dry scalp. My dermatologist suggested using Dove soap for my body as it is moisturizing. I don't know about something for your scalp.

[AnnieAppleseed in reply to Olman]

Organic hair care only. Especially with any issues. Dove is mainstream nonsense.

[tetech in reply to joeoconnell]

My Derm PA has me using head and shoulders on my head and face. I also use vaseline on the dry patches. He says both are typically fungal, and dandruff shampoos treat that. Mine was much better controlled than his (until I shared the vaseline tip and he got better), but keep your eyes closed as the H&S has a painful PH and ingredients. Even olive oil is acidic.

The Mayo Clinic advises using a dandruff shampoo daily until flakes subside, then using the product two or three times a week. An antifungal shampoo that worked well at the beginning of your home treatment can eventually lose its effectiveness, so you may have to alternate or switch dandruff shampoos.

Shampooing Techniques

The way you wash your hair is equally as important as frequent shampooings. The University of Michigan advises shampooing and rinsing the hair twice. Massaging the shampoo down to the scalp (without scrubbing it) is key to resolving dandruff. On the second application of the dandruff shampoo, let the product stay in the hair for five minutes before rinsing it out to give the active ingredient time to take effect.

Until then, I will avoid black shirts.

livestrong.com/article/2736...

[AnnieAppleseed in reply to tetech]

Try organic hair care.

[CERICWIN]

During my last round of radiation treatments, I came down with all kinds of itching, all over my body. I saw a dermatologist, and I'd come down with a case of eczema, more than likely caused by stress.

The stress of the Xtandi, the radiation, commuting to the cancer center five times per week all were contributing factors.

My dermatologist gave me monthly injections of a steroid, Kenalog, which finally brought the eczema under control.

Your own itching might be caused by stress, or something else. A dermatologist could help determine what is the real cause. I don't know of anything more stressful to a man than prostate cancer.

I tend to doubt that just a medication could cause your problem, but I'm no expert.

CERICWIN

[joeoconnell in reply to CERICWIN]

after what you have been through and your keen awareness, i consider you to be very close to an expert

[AnnieAppleseed in reply to CERICWIN]

If taking steroids, consider adding essential fatty acids, aka omega-3. Fish or flax, walnuts.

[aussie-1 in reply to CERICWIN]

Ihave been on hormone therapy for the last eight years with zero readings but find body itch seems to be different parts of my stomache and back tried different creams and vaseline which gives me some relieve. But now I have come of adt hoping the body itch will subside

[Neal-Snyder]

There are at least 3 issues in this thread:

1. Dandruff. I had that problem several decades ago, & tried multiple medicated dandruff shampoos. It was a recurrent problem until someone suggested that those harsh chemicals are part of the problem, not part of the solution. I began using herbal shampoos, & never had dandruff again. I've been using Avalon organic herbal shampoos for a long time.

2, Lice. Never been there or done that. Yes!

3. What I have now, & maybe Joe has. I suspect Joe would have talked about flakes or dandruff if that was his problem. Right, Joe? A few years ago, my scalp started itching, but with nothing visible, & none of the variables you mention, Joel. My primary care physician referred me to a dermatologist. She prescribed a lotion. We worked our way up to the strongest lotion in Kaiser's arsenal, which is compounded at one of their local pharmacies. It helps for a few to several hours. I also buy Neem Cream online, made from neem oil from the neem tree in India. I use a combo of the 2 products at bedtime.

I have never thought that this itch might relate to any medications I take, My doctors bring up side-effects when they suspect them.

Soon, to add to the fun, I got another itch with no visible signs, this one on the back of my neck. Tiger Balm usually calms it down for a few hours.

Joe, do you have company in your misery now, & maybe some ideas about what to do? I must say I don't remember vigorously scratching, although I did some gentle scratching.. But since it's the whole top of my head, I tried calming it with lotions, which seemed to be more efficient, if no more effective until I got the right lotion..

[JimVanHorn]

Hi Joe, I have two things to add. Your pillow case may have dandruff or whatever on it. I change mine often (between washing the sheets). This also keeps pollen in my hair from getting into my nose at night. And secondly, people with dandruff often have athletes foot, because they are caused by the same organism. My Dad had a reclining chair and his head touched the back of it. This allowed the dandruff to keep reinfecting him. When we covered the chair with a towel the problem was solved. Good luck.

[joeoconnell]

thanks to all of you for your input

[dmt1121]

My acupuncturist suggested calendula cream. Here is one link describing its characteristics webmd.com/vitamins-suppleme... I did some research online and decided on the First Aid Cream Company because it seemed to have products with better suspension ingredients firstaidcreams.com/ I use it on the areas of my scalp that are bothering me and it has helped. It is not cheap but it seems to last and work.

Good luck.

[joeoconnell in reply to dmt1121]

you are very kind. thanks for the information. i'll first see if my acupuncturist has it on hand

[BerkshireBear]

Joe, you are wise to suspect a drug. I've been dealing with a different (non-prostate) cancer for the last 18 months plus several other issues. Several of the drugs I have been on have caused itching (annoying to severe to debilitating). The problem is that such reactions are highly personal, so often don't show up in the standard list of side-effects. Certainly you need to look for the obvious causes others have mentioned, but random side effects from drugs are a definite possibility. I recently had a short dose of an antibiotic that I had used many times before; this time it caused intense itching of my face and scalp and eyes particularly at night. The day the pills ended the effect vanished. These things are that weird. I've had similarly wildly unpredicted reactions to some of the steroids. About the only way to pin them down is keeping very accurate track of when you start/end taking a drug and when symptoms appear.

[joeoconnell]

many thanks

[2548oo]

hi joe it may seem radical but worth a try, soak a cotton ball in methylated spirits and dab it

on affected area.

neil

[joeoconnell in reply to 2548oo]

will vicks mentholated rub due the trick ?

[2548oo]

hi joe vicks rub is made from menthol, camphor and eucalyptus. methylated spirits is a form

of alcohol [ ethanol ] it is an antiseptic and dries the surface of the skin and is very flammable. I have had good results with dandruff and skin irritations.

neil

[joeoconnell]

then Vicks is different from what your talking about ?

[2548oo]

hi joe vicks is different it is an ointment. methylated spirits is liquid, an additive for car fuel, can be purchased from hardware stores in small amounts.

neil