Itchy Scalp for months - slightly hair thinning but no visible scalp issues.

[tombomslom]

For the last 5 months, I have been suffering from an itchy scalp, primarily on the crown of my head. This happened essentially overnight and after scratching for a day, I coincidentally saw that my hair had thinned slightly in those itchiest areas by the next day. I went to see a General Practioner a week or so later and I was told I had dermatitis and was told to use a Nizoral Shampoo and a Betnovate Scalp Applicator to help relieve the issue. I used them for a month and they had not helped at all. Following this, I must have seen 5 more General Practitioners and each one seemed as clueless as the last; several could not identify the problem and told me to just wait it and out because it will improve "eventually". One told me it might be a fungal issue. One said it could be stress. However, Telogen Effluvium, Psoriasis, Ring Worm, Alopecia Areata and Iron deficiency were all ruled out, however, nobody seems to have an answer for it actually is. When I have gone to the doctors, they have told me that my scalp looks perfectly healthy; I do not suffer from large oily dandruff flakes, my scalp is not red, I do not have bumps or scamps. The itchy areas are slightly more tender and sensitive than the rest of my head. If I do not moisturise my scalp for a few days then it can get dry and tiny white flakes (not oily large dandruff flakes) can be brushed out with my hands but that would happen but doctors have told me that my scalp does not look dry (most likely because I moisturise it daily with oils). I have also tried not washing my hair, using coal tar shampoo, Salicylic Acid shampoo, Sulfate free shampoos designed for dry scalp and hair oils including tree tree oil, coconut oil, olive oil, etc and even corticosteroid fungal creams. The itching is slightly better (at the moment I use Sulfate free shampoo every 3 days and moisturise my scalp daily with oils) but the itching isn't completely gone and gets worse after a few days without washing and my hair hasn't yet grown back. It is also worth noting that men in my family lose their hair much later in life, I'm in my twenties and this was overnight, not a gradual issue.

What could my issue be? Do I have hyperthyroidism? Do I need to go to a private dermatologist rather than a General Practioner?

Thanks for any help in advance

[Saassii]

You have described a very similar experience to me. Drs and tests also showed me nothing.

However I learned I was being exposed to microbial contamination (mold, bacteria, virus all cohabitate together) in my home after a pipe had burst. The first thing I noticed was excessive hair dropping and itchy scalp. I later learned mold when it enters the body sequesters zinc for itself. Low zinc makes hair fall out, so bear that in mind when trying to replenish your supplies. Pumpkin kernels are a good source.

Remedy? Get into an entirely clean environment. I lost everything in my home.

I hope that's not your problem, but something to consider since world wide Drs aren't very knowledgeable about this subject.

[barbarelli]

do you livei n a hard water area I know it sounds silly but my daughter had the same problem hair etc. we bought a filter to attach to the the shower and it cleared up in a short time also my husbands skin became less dry but go to your GP and insist on seeing a Dermatologist as obviously you need professional help and the correct one . good luck .... we got the filter from Amazon attach to the shower and lasts for 6 months at a time . the water even feels more gentle .

[Jazzy-gal]

Hi Tombomslom!i also have a very itchy crown.went to derm nothing they did helped much,no dandruff tried different shampoos even mixed them I did find some help in a zinc shampoo u can get at the drugstore but not long.now I have invisible itching oh I recently did receive difulcan 200 from Reg dr and 100 difucan also have u had much relief?dont stress,even thou it is ittirating.let me know! Best wishes.