Itchy scalp on 5.5mg of prednisolone

[Koalajane]

I am suffering at the moment with a very itchy scalp. Has anyone else had this and any ideas what I can put on it help. I also have had a dry scalp but that seems to have improved a bit and have breakages in my hair in about the same area.

Thanks

[SnazzyD]

You could try an antifungal shampoo from a pharmacy but it might be worth seeing a general doc to check for a few different things that can cause this problem but which have different treatments.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

As Snazzy says, it needs checking to be sure what it is. Are you sure it isn't a flare of PMR/GCA?

[Koalajane in reply to PMRpro]

It could be as I am aching a fair bit. Does it have an effect on your scalp? I am sitting here feeling really tired my back and shoulders are aching and my scalp is itching. Perhaps I will up my prednisolone tomorrow.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Koalajane]

If the blood supply to the scalp is being affected at all it can make the skin react to the lack of blood supply. It was just a thought - and one that needs to be borne in mind. I had an awful itchy scalp early in PMR and for a short time it was really tender, typically GCA, but it went away and I didn't know then what I know now! I also had jaw claudication so it is pretty likely that something was going on somewhere! Sometimes GCA does start and then abort and go into remission very quickly but most doctors have never heard of that.

[Koalajane in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks for that I had never thought about blood supply to the scalp. Perhaps I will up my pred by 1mg and see if it helps.

[Mary63]

Try a fragrance free, colour free shampoo, eg Simple (in UK)

[Koalajane in reply to Mary63]

Thanks

[SheffieldJane]

My hairdresser is absolutely great with things like this or you could perhaps ask the pharmacist for advice. It is only related to PMR in that your immunity has been compromised in my opinion that is.

[Koalajane in reply to SheffieldJane]

Thanks Jane

[arthur463]

Hmmm. About 18 months ago, I saw my Doc with an aching jaw that stopped me from being able to chew. Doc wasn't worried. Then I went back to him a few weeks later with an ITCHING SCALP like you. Doc wasn't worried, but gave me codeine. I suddenly and permanently lost the sight of my right eye about three week later. It turned-out that they were all classic symptoms of GCA apparently. Doc wasn't worried because he was not aware of GCA very much. So I went through a phase of preparing to sue for negligence, and requested a copy of my medical records. That got Doc worried - He suddenly became quite knowledgeable about GCA, and very attentive. Fancy that!

I only say this because you mentioned that you are taking prednisolone, but didn't say why. Is it for suspected PMR/GCA?

I think you need to worry your Doc - Urgently. INSIST on a very early and urgent referral to a rheumatologist - One who DOES know exactly what GCA is.

In the meantime, I think you should up your beastly preds by 5 or 10 mg to see whether that gets rid of the scalp itch.

I know that I may be crying Wolf - as I sit here typing with my remaining eye.

Good Luck

Arthur

[Koalajane in reply to arthur463]

Thanks Arthur, I have PMR. I see opthamologist every 4 weeks due to macular oedema so hopefully okay but will up my prednisolone

[Varnish]

Hi

Teatree is a natural disinfectant and itch remover, Argan oil again is a natural soother for the scalp . Either one could help. I get them from Amazon, shampoos and or conditioners.

[saffron52]

Hi

I have an itchy uncomfortable scalp but I feel it could be due to the sweating at night. So I now use a cotton pillow case which seems to cool back of my head down and E45 shampoo which really stops the itching altogether. Best of luck hope you get it sorted. Take Angie x

[Purplecrow]

Hi, my experience...itchy scalp in summer when head would sweat. Especially at nite. Was at 5 mg pred for a few weeks, now down to 4, and no more itchy. Go figure....