Dry scalp

[skylark15]

Hello, Skin community.

I've never posted on here before but I'm wondering whether anyone else has a really dry, itchy scalp at the moment.

I have Lupus (and I'll put this on there, too), so I've always had very dry skin, which gets worse in the winter, but the scalp dryness is relatively new. For my skin, I've learnt not to shower daily and to use a soap substitute (Dermol 500), as well as to apply a moisturising body cream with a high urea content. That helps a bit.

I am 71 (nearly 72) and have fine, dry silver-grey hair, so I'd rather avoid anything that makes my hair look lank and greasy, if possible. My hairdresser recommended a special shampoo and then to apply coconut oil, leaving it in for half and hour or so. However, it was really difficult to apply to my scalp and then took several washes with a normal shampoo and many rinses to remove the greasy residue, rather defeating the object of the exercise.

I'd really appreciate any advice or product recommendations. Thank you.

[troy04]

For your situation - I strongly recommend Ginger Anti-Dandruff Shampoo & Ginger Scalp Care Conditioner by The Body Shop. They are slightly expensive but worth the price.

It won't make your hair greasy and you can take shower every day if you want. If you feel the conditioner is indeed making your hair greasy then just apply on the scalp only, leave it for a few minutes and rinse. After one or two weeks, I am confident that you will notice a significant improvement.

In addition you may apply Ginger Scalp Serum from the body shop between showers - this also helps.

[skylark15 in reply to troy04]

😅😅😅 That is simply wonderful, Troy04. I've been using that Body Shop ginger shampoo for pretty much since Body Shop brought it out! It is an excellent product, especially for itchy flaky scalp. First, I recommended it to my husband who has used it daily for about the same length of time, then my 14 year old granddaughter asked for my advice and now she is 20. She and her siblings always use it. It is a bit expensive, but it makes for a good stocking filler.

My hairdesser thinks I wasn't rinsing my hair thoroughly enough, previously but I haven’t seen any difference using her (even more expensive) products and rinsing even more carefully.

I'll go back to the gunger shampoo. I notice it now says both "Vegan" (!) and " With silk protein", whatever that is. I'll certainly try the Body Shop ginger scalp serum now, too. Thank you for your help.

BW,

Tess

[Tassa]

I too have lupus and a dry scalp. I am 80 years old and recommend a product called coco scalp a treatment for a dry scaly scalp condition. it is a coal tar treatment and very gentle on the scalp. Comes in a tube and when washed out is not greasy or oily. it does smell slightly of coal tar when it is on your head. Directions on the packet. I rub it well into all over my scalp. It is messy but I leave it on about an hour then wash it out in the shower. It may take some time to improve your scalp, but it does feel cleaner and healthier. Can be purchased at chemist shops or supermarkets that have chemist shops in them. Hope this helps.

Traveller.

[Tassa]

I too have Lupus and have a dry skin as well as scalp. I use a product called coco scalp a coal tar solution. it comes in a tube is a great treatment for dry scaly scalp conditions. It is not greasy and I rub it well all over my scalp and leave it in for about an hour then wash it out in the shower. It may take a few times to work but leaves your scalp feeling clean. It can be purchased in chemist shops. I guess you would have it where you live. I did reply to this before but I think it shot off into space somewhere, hope you have received this time.

Cheers Traveller.

[skylark15 in reply to Tassa]

Hi, Traveller.

Thank you so much for your response. I did spot it but have only just had a quiet moment to read it. We're at a grandchild's birthday party and it's total bedlam!

I will certainly seek out the coco-scalp product: it sounds exactly what I've been looking for. I used to have coal tar products for my all-over eczema, when I was young, so I know its anti-inflammatory and healing properties. Thanks again.

Tess

[Dianesg]

I use Tony Maleedy Juniper Shampoo which keeps my dry scalp under control. At it's worst I use Betacap prescribed by GP. Hope that helps

[skylark15 in reply to Dianesg]

Hi, Dianesg.

Thanks for your response. I'll certainly look at the Juniper product.

Tess

[caz1967]

It may be dermatitis , my daughter has this all of the time, she's learnt never to use any perfumed shampoo or or hair item, she uses exorax from the chemists they do in shampoo form i understand. or try tea tree based shampoo from good quality brands try the body shop . Good luck hope you get resolved asap

[skylark15 in reply to caz1967]

Hi, Cas 1967.

Thanks for another really helpful response. I'll look for Exorax and the Body Shop tea tree based shampoo, if their Ginger shampoo doesn't clear it up by next week.

Tess

[troy04]

Just for the clarification, Exorex is a coal tar product and Betacap uses a topical corticosteroid.

[skylark15 in reply to troy04]

Thanks, troy04. That's helpful.

I find it interesting that coal tar extract is still used to treat and manage inflammatory skin conditions. The formulations are less mucky and pungent, I expect but basically, it's the same product that I had slathered on my limbs 65 years ago. Nobody would sit next to me at primary school because of the smell 😔.

Txx

[TonyCo]

Mine went away with Boots chemical head and shoulders shampoo but now that has been withdrawn. My head is still okay apart from a patch above one of my ears sometimes. I have a tiny bit of shampoo left and will use H & S dandruff shampoo after that. So still ongoing care but the first shampoo that H&S withdrew worked wonders.

[troy04 in reply to TonyCo]

Can I ask you to post a photo of that "Boots chemical head and shoulders shampoo" please?