Itchy scalp

[_multistrada]

A question ids an itchy scalp a side affect of preds

[SheffieldJane]

I think itching in general can be. Check out any products you are using in case they have triggered this and “ horrors” any school age grandchildren, nits are still busy these days. 😱

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to SheffieldJane]

Not even "still" busy - increasingly busy as they can't enforce proper checking and eradication. Human rights or something ...

[Soraya_PMR in reply to PMRpro]

Crazy! What about the greater good?

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Soraya_PMR]

Don't get me started!!

[SheffieldJane in reply to PMRpro]

What no nit nurse!?

Many moons ago I worked in a Social Services Day Nursery. I bathed and deloused a poor little girl everyday. A loving activity that we both enjoyed. Matron put a stop to it because “ I was making the parents lazy”.

[_multistrada in reply to SheffieldJane]

I have no hair so its Ok people

[SheffieldJane in reply to _multistrada]

So this thread is totally irrelevant to you. I think antihistamines are ok with Pred. I find that a plain base cream like E45 soothes, you could massage it in. Many Roads - see what I did there.

[Soraya_PMR in reply to _multistrada]

Sun screen! You may have baked your pate a wee bit?

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to SheffieldJane]

It would be the only way to get it done these days - but it isn't PC and not allowed ... So the lazy parents do nothing and the child reinfects the class and it becomes a permanent cycle.

[SheffieldJane in reply to PMRpro]

I get that, but this was real poverty and deprivation and not her fault. I can still see her little pale face. Are you scratching your head? I am.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to SheffieldJane]

Oh yes - and both still apply in fact. There are parents who wouldn't afford the shampoo and stuff - but there is also the lack of education about nits, not to mention plain ignorance about parenting...

[SnazzyD in reply to PMRpro]

Not sure it’s lack of education but a combination of laziness and persistent belief that it is a slur on one’s social status, judging by the comments of my girl’s friends’ parents. If their kids didn’t complain they didn’t look. The schools banged on about it constantly in communications and leaflets were given out, even at secondary school. Prospective parents got the talk too. The loss of on site school nurses and no enforcement allowed made it safe to ignore it. If we got a few clear months I was delirious.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to SnazzyD]

Mine were excluded from school until you had a note from the GP!

[Hidden in reply to SheffieldJane]

My head was the only bit itch free....not anymore🤢🕷️

[Pippah45 in reply to SheffieldJane]

My itchy scalp is less itchy on preds - and I think my shedding (both thyroid things) has slowed down since the preds - but of course we are all different.

[Soraya_PMR]

It’s possible. Pred increases sebaceous gland production, i.e. sebum, which is why acne can be a side effect of pred. Could happen on your scalp too.

Another thought, malezzia, a fungus. My dog had that! Hang on I’ll look.

[Soraya_PMR in reply to Soraya_PMR]

verywellhealth.com/can-ster...

Malassezia folliculitis. Scroll down a bit.

[SnazzyD]

I used TGel shampoo once a week when I had it badly down to 10mg.

[Soraya_PMR in reply to SnazzyD]

Yes I’ve used that too. Good stuff.

(I also used it on son’s cradle cap after the baby preps did nothing. One shampoo, all gone. Cruel mother!)

[Brantuk]

As far as I remember the itchy scalp was the very first symptom of GCA that I noticed. The strange thing is that it's wasn't like normal itching, it was in a very specific small circle on the very top of my head about 2-3 inches in diameter. The second noticeable symptom was hard skin on the soles of my feet that would only soak or scrape off with a pen knife. Both symptoms verified by my rheumatologist consultant, and long before they put me on preds. Hope that helps.

[SnazzyD in reply to Brantuk]

Yes, I had weird hard skin on my feet on the tops of my toes and it definitely wasn’t from my footwear.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to SnazzyD]

I know of a couple of rheumies who mention the feet as a sign - I had similar effects. Strange isn't it!

[SnazzyD in reply to PMRpro]

I mentioned it amongst other things to the first couple of rheumies in the beginning but they weren’t interested.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to SnazzyD]

Well as we know - there are rheumies and rheumies ...

[PinkertonCat]

My dermatologist told me to use Nizoral. It helps

[PMRnewbie2017]

Is the itching localised or diffuse? Is it itching with flaking or an itchy tingling sensation? The latter could be GCA related especially if localised. Itchy scalp is fairly common and there are several conditions that can cause this. I have a Diploma in Hair and Scalp Science to add to my other qualifications so if you want to PM me we can chat in more detail.

[saskatraz]

It may be your shampoo. The ingredient sodium laurel sulphate could be your problem. A person can become intolerant to it . Look for sulphate free shampoo. Check the label.

[stonecreek]

on 5 pred and itch on my head and the top of my ears. Is this not fun?

[_multistrada in reply to stonecreek]

Little bumps behind my ear? Me too maddening

[Parijm]

I suffered with itchy scalp at back of head for years before PMR. However my first dose of Prednisolone 30mg daily sorted this out & it wasn’t until reducing to ... (10 mg?? Not sure) that the itchiness returned. I mentioned it to Dr & was told that the irritated scalp was also an auto immune issue. Still on Prednidolone about 3.5 mg & scratching madly. No respite. I’ve been to specialist but doesn’t seem to be excema or psoriasis?? Just something I have to manage.