Itchy head

[Mrspainting48]

Can anyone help.

I have had a very ictchy scalp for over three years now. It started with an itch that felt like my head was bing invaded by millions of ants...it the orogresses to a burning sensation. My head felt like it had beed kicked by a horse very sore. I saw my GP.He gave me all the usual shampoos lotion and potions....some help for a very short time some made it worse. Heat makes it itch ...cold makes it itch...draughts srart it up...The only relief i get is standing under a shower of luke warm water...or being so busy my mind forgets for a little while. I dont scratch I cant reach my head ant any more as my arms and hands are badly deformed with RA....I do use my long disabled comb but have caused scratches and sores on my head by being too heavey handed ...I have tried every herbal alternative treatment ....relaxation is good but the itch always wins.....so if there is anyone with anything new i can try please tell me. I am drug intollerant and have been for over 15 years....so no drugs please. Many thanks....

[M0AL61 Moderator Volunteer]

hi Mrspainting48 ,

My daughter was similar to yourself and had tried everything. I mentioned it to the pharmacist one day I was in and he thought she could be lacking in zinc, so she started taking zinc supplements and they have definitely helped.

[CarolynEdwards]

When I had the same itching of the scalp... and gradual hair loss too... it was EVENTUALLY diagnosed as Lichen Planus ( an auto-immune condition) Identified after a small biospsy.

[ritrit]

Try aloe Vera. Massage into scalp . You can use shampoo or the hand gel . My father uses it an it works great for him .

[Al10]

A vinegar rinse after washing may help restore PH and calm things. I find it helpful. Some shampoos will set me off itching. And the natural ones are just as likely as the usual big brands. It is finding what suits, rinsing well. Vinegar rinse and for goodness sake, don't scratch!!!!. Scratching releases histamines making the itch worse. Itch scratch itch cycle. Think the susceptibility is a fibro thing.

[Nazareth72]

Please try Mrspaintimgs advice re- zinc deficiency and let us know how you get on. X

[Mrspainting48 in reply to Nazareth72]

Hi ...re Zinc.....I dont think it can be zinc deficiency....my diet is a good varied one.

I tend to eat all foods containing zinc as normal...and checking amounts of zinc in former foods i am taking more than enough zinc in.

My own feelings re itch. Over 10 years ago after two knee replacements quite traumatic ..I started on seven years of dental work after a local dentist destroyed my top set of teeth by neglect. Long story....he no longer practices ...i ended up having all top teeth removed...bone implants...sins lifts

Then implants four a top denture.

This was a lengthy progress as i said over seven years and a lot of ops on my top jaw...towards the latter three years my right hip was bone on bone i could not walk and hispital was reluctent to do new hip op ...they said i was too high risk..

All this time i was drug intollerant no drug pain relief...nothing but tears swearing and stressfull anger mostly at me..First i started with facial movement could not chew i was like a baby learning to eat solids...my speech and confidence was affected my nerves where shot..

My life was pain just pure pain...I have a high threshold with pain but it all got too much..support came not from any medical source I was pretty much on my own...It seems when you cant take RA drugs the Rheumatology dept from Consultant down feel they can do nothing for you so dont ...and also inform you that...

As i said long painful story...

It came to an end when Dental work was finished which i had to foot the bill £11.000....and a lady orthopaedic surgeon took a risk and replaced my hip.

This op went without any problems and i was up walking with no hip pain two hours after op.Sheer joy.....

I think the Fibromyalgia got a hold through this time.

And now my whole nervous system is crazy the slightest stress and its there..

I try very hard to remain calm do everything alternatively to help myself..

But its all very costly....I remember relaxing...sleeping....laughing being "normal".....managing my health problems.......

I really have come to the belief that Fibromyalgia is pretty much self inflicted ...so if it is why cant i self inflict it away..

Answering myself my body has learnt bad habbits ..i do need support and like minded who too feel as i do....to help re train our nervous systems to de stress go back to basics....

Sadly its far easier to hand out antidepressants and pain relief than sit and hold your hand and give the real support needed...

I am not depressed I am sad and yes a little bitter.....With RA and fibromyalgia I know there are groups and people fighting for recognition of a better understanding of both former....

When i developed skin cancer i was given excellant care and attention.

Lots of hospital support .

With RA and Fibromyalgia the consultant told me...because i cant take drugs he was takin me off the list as they cant do anything for me.....

I felt lost.. alone..scared...they could offer me nothing more as there was no money....money for drugs that had i continued taking..I would be long gone...

Sorry back to itch head....stress nerves gone loopy....but thank you all talking and you caring is helping much more than shampoos.. drugs..

The power of humans reaching out to each other is mightier than anything.

Thank you again.....

[E3178]

I had the same thing and after scratching for a year or more at the lower scalp I now have much less hair there. I was also itching all over my body. I started using antihistamines and worked on my gut issues trying to increase the good bacteria. I had a sugar, wheat and dairy free diet for a year. I was diagnosed with fibro after this and suspect I had had it a while.

I now use one antihistamine a day and eat a large tablespoon of sauekraut, home made, every day.

My head is itch free now and hardly any body itching.

Like you it all started through a prolonged period of high stress and wish I could reverse it.

[Mrspainting48 in reply to E3178]

Trying the antihistamines and sauerkraut so far head itch has reduced by 55% plus no side effects re antihistamines ....so fingers crossed..

Just started sauerkraut so we will see..

Thank you to everyone for answers and help xx

[Clarrisa]

My scalp was incredibly dry & itchy to the point I worried I had lice so started using shampoos with Tea Tree in them. It has made some improvement.

[bookish]

Hi, just came here after seeing your reply to LoneEra (Total Hopelessness) earlier today. I hope that the itching is no longer an issue but I would think you were right about the nerve damage being the cause. It is common (called 'formication') as a symptom of B12 deficiency and Pernicious Anaemia so if you still have a problem it might be worth checking your B12 although I appreciate that supplementing may not be possible. Have you ever had a MTHFR gene test or checked methylation/detoxification? Poor methylation function affects your ability to break down and expel toxins, chemicals, medications etc and also makes you more prone to intolerances, as well as lots of other things (and affects both B12 and folate). Have a look at purehealthclinic.co.uk/heal.... I used to suffer from formication on my skin and have just found out I have poor methylation. It has also been linked to autoimmune conditions (which RA is and some say fibro is too) - I have some, including fibro and seem to be developing more although going grain and dairy free has helped a lot. Micki Rose (who runs the site I linked to) also has written a few books, one of which is about mind-body medicine, which I am finding helpful. More at purehealthclinic.co.uk/why-.... Best wishes

[Mrspainting48 in reply to bookish]

Thank you for a very helpful and interesting reply.....the links you gave i will follow ......