Itchy scalp

[Beckey]

My scalp itches something awful, especially at night, as do my eyelids. Am I alone in this?

[lark13]

Hi Beckey. Do you by any chance take Midodrine for low blood pressure? That’s what makes my scalp extra itchy, according to my doctor. Don’t know about the eyelids though.

[Beckey in reply to lark13]

I don't take midodrine -- I come by low blood pressure naturally!

[lark13 in reply to Beckey]

Midodrine is to raise the blood pressure. I take it because I have low blood pressure. As well as 2 other medications to raise my pressure.

[parkie13]

For many years I have blamed it on hair products. That maddening itching is intermittent, it comes and goes, it stays in specific places on your scalp. Believe it or not lately my eyebrows have been itching. So no, you are not alone. I've seen this question on the list before. Mary

[unsinkable]

Beckey, the same thing is happening with me. It is so annoying not knowing the cause,yes even my eyebrows....lol At first I wondered if it was the extra cold and dry weather, but I don't think so.I stopped B1 for a few days thinking that may be it, but I have taken it for months and had no bad reaction, so I am starting it up again. I read online to try putting tea tree oil in your shampoo, then rinsing with Apple cider Vin, I tried this a few hours ago, and I am fine, but like you, the itching gets worse at night........Hope we find a solution,because I would rather not got to the Doc.....

[boundless in reply to unsinkable]

You are not alone,my scalp has been itchy since I got PD.(4 years ago) I keep thinkingit has something to do with the nerves in your head. there are a lot of nerves unde th scalp.

Lois

[Hidden]

Beckey,

There can be quite a few reasons for an itchy scalp and fungus is one very common cause. What I have used is a saturated solution of borax as a shampoo to find out if the cause was fungal or something else. Borax is a potent broad spectrum antifungal and regular use as a shampoo for a week or two resolved my itch. Borax as a shampoo does not lather or feel like much of anything in my hair, so I added a very small amount of my regular shampoo to make it seem more like regular shampoo with just a smidgen of lather and scent.

I forgot to mention that about a tablespoon of borax will saturate approximately one cup of water. I applied it at the beginning of my shower and let soak in while showering and then rinsed my hair at the end of the shower.

Art

[zadok459]

I have the same - it feels like lots of little pimpels on my head. My eyes itch and water

[Niggs]

Same, comes n goes, started with Ldopa being introduced, anxiety/stress events/periods are my triggers.

Nigel

[Deezy]

I have had the same problem for about a year or so. I assumed it was something to do with medication but as I am on several different medications for various conditions I didn’t really associate it with Parkinson’s. Now that I have read all these comments it seems as though It could be connected.

[condor39]

Seborheaic dermatitis is very common in Parkinson’s, use a dandruff shampoo, even “Head and Shouders” regularly .lf is really bad, you might need a prescription

[Giovi1960]

I use T-gel shampoo every 3 to 4 washes. So my normal shampoo for 3 - 4 washes and the next wash T-gel. And every day at the end of my shower I switch to cold water, as cold as I can stand it, and get my head wet for a minute or so. It seemed to have helped.

[TinyKnott01 in reply to Giovi1960]

Stop using shampoo with Methylchloroisothiazolinone ,Methylisothiazolinone and use t/sal

[Giovi1960 in reply to TinyKnott01]

Hello TinyKnott01, thanks for the detail, I hadn't paid attention to the ingredients! And I didn't know of t-sal before now. Regards, Gio

[John_morris71]

Becky,

Sorry to hear about that. Did you try to apply some medicated oil overnight ( Ayurvedic oils that have herbs in them). For ITCHING due to DANDRUFF and SEBORRHEIC DERMATITIS, some one told me long time back about mixing the following ingredients and making a soft paste, applying it to hair and scalp and leaving it on the hair for about a couple of hours before taking a shower. While taking a shower wash it off nicely with luke warm water a couple of times and then use shampoo to wash hair again. Do it once a week and after a month if condition improves do it once in 2 weeks for a month or two and then may be once every month, till you get total relief.

Mix the following to get a soft paste and apply to scalp and hair nicely : NEEM leaves powder (2 Tablespoons) + PLAIN YOGURT ( 2 -3 Tablespoons) the more fermented/sour it is the better; keep it outside for a day or two at room temperature and it will become sour - do the taste test + COCONUT OIL (1 Tablespoon) + BORAX ( 5 gms or 1 Teaspoon, NOT Tablespoon, which is 15 gms.). Neem leaves powder is available online or in any heath foods store. Please note that I am not a doctor and this is not medical advice, just a suggestion that I am sharing with you. Hope it helps. Please do your own research.

[4000Nights]

I occasionally get a very itchy rash particularly after a hot shower, and this is a common issue with Parkinson's or more likely the meds. They effect your Ph level making your skin more acidic. You may even see some discoloration of your pillow case. I have found an antacid pill is effective in alleviating the itching rash or hives. You might want to try it.

[Redginger in reply to 4000Nights]

You might want to research about taking antacids regularly, tho. They can really interfere with the way our digestion was designed and actually eventually cause more problems!

[janers]

I get to filmy build up on my scalp. I think it is Candida related which I think is also related to Parkinson’s symptoms.

[ConnieD]

I have a lot of allergies and have had this problem on occasion long before i had PD. My sister a nurse recommended over the counter Nizoral shampoo, works great i had tried others but this is the only one I’ve found helpful!! Hope you get relief!😊

[JohnPepper]

Hi Beckey. No! You are not alone. My book was written in 2003 and in it I wrote about my itchy head and torso. I don't know about your experience. Do you not get an itchy torso as well?

[Beckey in reply to JohnPepper]

No, I can't say I do.

[KERRINGTON]

My scalp, and the nape of the neck always itch when I'm allergic to something.

[LTT0019]

Hi Beckey, I have the same issue (about five years). I looked at all the normal reasons for an itchy scalp and solutions. But, nothing helped. It got so bad one night I could not sleep it was so painful. I used a RX hydrocortisone cram 2.5% I had for another issue. It helped. Finally I found a paper that listed itchy scalp as a symptom of PD. I have not thought about it until reading your post. It has improved. I have listed my medication changes just to see if it is a medication issue and not PD. (pramipexole decreased from 4mg to 1.5mg per day) (Carb/Lev increased). I just use a mild moisture shampoo and conditioner not more issues. Good luck

[Kevin51]

Hi Becky, is is quite common in PwPs and also associated with a fungus(!) called Malassezia which is also linked to PD. Here is a British Association of Dematologists guide to treatment (which confirms it is common in PD) . There is a shampoo called Tgel which is not bad but I stick with a 3 stage system I got from my local pharmacy which is based around Juniper oil. Not available online but I could send you the ingredients list if you want and you could probably find it locally. I am not keen on the "anti-dandruff" shampoos.

bad.org.uk/shared/get-file....

[Beckey in reply to Kevin51]

I'd love to learn more about your 3-stage system!

[Kevin51 in reply to Beckey]

stage 1 - (icky) paste of cade oil, salicylic acid,nipasen,aqua dist,wax,prop glyc

stage 2 - lotion of IMS,Aqua dis,LCD,prop glyco,salicylic acid,bio sulfur

stage 3 - (shampoo) sodium laureth sulphate,lauryl bethaine,cocoamide dea,glycerin, amino acid(!),panthenol, aqua,citric acid,preservative, cade oil, eucalyptus oil

The paste removes the cradle cap, the lotion is tedious so I don't use but it helps keep the scalp clear; the shampoo is daily and does work for me. There is some overlap with the BAD recommendations so I guess this stuff is standard for non-prescription dermatology. I got them from a central London pharmacy and they worked for me but I am making somebody rich! The ingredient list is a bit obscure. The cade oil smells nice and is anti fungal. There must be some home made preparations around using the key ingredients which I guess are the oils and the salicylic acid.

[TinyKnott01]

Stop using shampoo with Methylchloroisothiazolinone ,Methylisothiazolinone and use t/sal shampoo It has helped me , not 100% but it is better .

[Beckey]

Is there a by-mouth anti-fungal, does anyone know?

[Hidden]

Beckey,

Yes, there are, but they are more than well noted for their potential liver toxicity.

Art

[Cheehong in reply to Hidden]

I also suffer itchy scalp. Every morning I woke up I found my scalp and forehead very oily. I found an article on the Parkinson's Foundation that skin changes are common symptoms of PD. Many people with PD develop oily or flaky skin, especially on the face and scalp. These are due to sebaceous glands below the surface of the skin that secrete into the hair follicles. This is called sebaceous dermatitis. I use T-gel shampoo and it seems to ease a bit of the itchiness. I also use Head and Shoulders shampoo which contains selenium sulphate; however, it was not effective. I think the best is to consult a doctor or dermatologist for advice.

[Hidden in reply to Cheehong]

Forum member, glenandgerry, may have a way to deal with the oily skin issue as her husband had that and they were able to get that controlled with supplements.

Art

[Cheehong in reply to Hidden]

Easily

Could you help me how can I find Despe's post. Thanks!

[Hidden in reply to Cheehong]

Here is one link to a conversation about it that I was having with 2 other forum members :

healthunlocked.com/parkinso...

Art

[Despe in reply to Cheehong]

Here I am. What can I do for you?

[Cheehong in reply to Despe]

I heard from easily that you are able to control itchy and oily scalp 。 Would you be willing to help me 。 I suffer from itchy scalp and oily skin. Using T-gel shampoo helps a bit but the condition still remains. Is that zinc can help with the issues 。Would love to have your advice. Thanks

[Hidden in reply to Cheehong]

Cheehong,

I corrected my original post and posted the link for you already. The conversation was with forum member glenandgerry. That is all the information there was.

Art

[Cheehong in reply to Hidden]

Thanks easily I just got a response from Despe and I asked about itchy scalp and oily skin. Thanks again for your kindness!

[Despe in reply to Cheehong]

I do not suffer from itchy scalp or oily skin, my husband (PwP) had itchy scalp but not anymore. I add to his organic shampoo apple cider vinegar and a few drops of tea tree oil. it seems to work fine. You can also add beer (lots of vitamin E). For oily skin, try hydrogen peroxide. Saturate a piece of cotton with it and wipe your face. Do that 2-3 times a day. Hope it helps.

[Cheehong in reply to Despe]

Despe

Thanks for your response 。I will give it a try. I am sure it helps.

[Tempest22]

Hi, I get an itchey scalp from what I call

My yeast symptoms. In 1986 I was having trouble with my memory. I walked into the kitchen and couldn't remember why I had decided to go there. Also I would get a rash on my chest that was itchey the evening after I ate Mexican food with lots of taco chips. I went down to the local healthfood store and found a builitin on "The Yeast Connection " by Dr Crook.

I took the test I. The book and scored very high. I got a pharmacist to sell me some niastatin and went on s low yeast, low sugar diet . And in 30 days I was feeling great, and no more itchy chest, later I found out that Nutribiotic brand grape fruit seed extract works as well as niastatin. My scalp stars itching about 20 minutes after I eat white spegettie noodles, or ice cream or chocolate cake. So I take ten drops of GSE stirred into water as you drop it in. And drink it down. It helps to wash my hair with Head and Shoulders every morning too.

I've been taking 1500 mg B-1 every morning for irritable bowel and aledged ulcers. I had pain in my side most mornings. But recently I figured out my side pain is related to a yeast flair up.

I've been taking GSE 4 or 5 times per day and trying my best to stop eating sugar and white flower products and have been getting better for the last 2 weeks.