Dry Scalp

[Deleted member 210577]

I've always suffered from dry scalp, though it seems to get worse with stress. I'm trying to resolve health issues one at a time and this one is in the target sights. So.. does anyone here suffer from this and found a solution?

I recently used this shampoo by neutrogena that has coal-tar in it and whilst it smells awful it certainly improved things. Are there any other shampoos around that work well with dry scalp? I suspect most shampoos make the condition worse.. the sheer number of industrial chemicals in each bottle is incredible! I don't suffer from skin problems elsewhere, though I know my dad has sensitive skin on his hands (washing up liquid irritates his skin really bad).

Anyone try natural alternatives? I'm open to all suggestions, from using professional products to more homemade solutions. I just can't believe regular shampoo is good for the scalp, or that it really needs all those chemicals in it!

 

[BlueIV]

I have psoriasis and just sensitive skin in general. I know some people go the no 'poo method - baking soda to wash and apple cider vinegar to condition. I still use shampoo myself, but I have found the apple cider vinegar rinse to help at times (mixed with water, not concentrated) and makes things worse others.

Personally, I like to rub a bit of oil into my scalp when it seems really irritated or dry. Coconut oil feels great, but mostly for spot treatments as it's hard to use just a little while covering a decent area. For simplicity, I've been using jojoba oil.

Looking for a sulfate-free shampoo might work as well. I haven't done so, I'm too scared to switch when I'm not reacting to what I've got!

 

[Maya]

One of my uncles suffered from this condition as well and swears by coconut oil. You can try this or olive oil.

 

[Mysterie]

have you tried to never let hot water get on your head?

if i'm taking a shower i wear a shower cap, and at the end of the shower i turn down the hot water until its cool, and i wash my hair then

i think hot water would exacerbate your scalp situation

 

[What 23]

I get flakey when I consume too much sugar.

Maybe try reducing sugar.

 

[placid space]

I get flakey when I consume too much sugar.

Maybe try reducing sugar.

Exactly.

Had dry scalp and flakyness my whole life. While I managed to control it with various solutions (vinegar, certain shampoos, dermat. concoctions (mometasonum).. ) , long-term the only solution was cut sugar out almost completely(at least for a while(a few weeks) and then moderate) and avoid chips and sh*t food like that. And for shampoo, use baby shampoo(the best IMO is Johnson's baby shampoo since its most mild) . Overall also reducing dairy products helps and sticking to lighter foods and be mindful of food combinations. Im almost 100% it will work for you. For everyone else Ive suggested to it has so far. Do report back if you can.

 

[Deleted member 210577]

My diet is reasonably clean.. the only sugar I can think I've had has been in stir fry sauce, tomato ketchup, honey, and home made raspberry jam. No junk food. I'm drinking a lot of milk and a bit of cheese at the moment as I'm trying to put on some weight, but I've had this scalp issue way before my current diet. Once I reached my desired weight I will probably drop the milk and cheese and clean up my diet even more.

I'm definitely open to the idea its diet related.

 

[What 23]

For me its almost any amount it seems. I havent figured out the threshold. Maybe it is simply things with free sugars. Goji berries do it to me... As does apple juice, and honey when I was eating it caused some crazy psoriasis on my upper lip. As soon as I stop consuming these things, within days it clears up.

Of course, reasons will be different. I'm not sure how milk would do it unless you were allergic to something in it.

 

[Foreigner]

If they're big flakes, almost like scales coming off the scalp to reveal redness underneath, then it's either seborrheic dermatitis or psoriasis. You'll know because the scalp feels crusty. In those cases you need to do some liver clearing because the blood is contaminated with unclean substances and they're causing skin irritation. The scalp has more blood vessels than average so crap in the body tends to be reflected there first in most people - there, and the face.

If they're just tiny, powdery flakes and there's an over all sense of dryness, then it could be due to a generalized blood deficiency... lack of nutrition. Sometimes taking doses of healthy fats helps. Making sure the B vitamin spectrum is represented is also useful, and vitamin D. Failing all that, you can try eating connective tissue because collagen and elastin shortages can cause skin to prematurely die and thus flake more rapidly. You can try doing hot oil treatments to deeply replenish the scalp. Castor oil is the most nutritive but some people find it too think, and it can't get on any clothing or it'll never come out.

Also consider your environment. If your home tends to be very dry and you have other dryness signs in the body, like dry nose, mouth, throat, and even constipation, then there's a lack of moisture. Humidifiers for your home and demulcent herbs to take internally can help.

 

[Deleted member 210577]

The flakes vary I guess. I have long hair, and when it lift it up I can see small flakes around the top portion of my head, though not everywhere. But there's patches where there are much larger flakes and I can pick off one using my fingernail (a habit I'm trying to avoid). The areas around the hairline above the temples and the back of the neck seem to be the worst affected areas, sometimes I can find raised bumps on the back of the neck that feel crusted.

 

[Ubi]

Organic sesame oil mixed with a little bit of plain organic yoghurt. Make a paste and apply. Ratio the mix so it's not overly oily, just enough that it has effect but rinses out well. Could also add some avocado to the mix. Sesame oil is also high in calcium

 

[placid space]

The flakes vary I guess. I have long hair, and when it lift it up I can see small flakes around the top portion of my head, though not everywhere. But there's patches where there are much larger flakes and I can pick off one using my fingernail (a habit I'm trying to avoid). The areas around the hairline above the temples and the back of the neck seem to be the worst affected areas, sometimes I can find raised bumps on the back of the neck that feel crusted.

Yeah thats what I had also for years and it comes back the moment I start with a bit too much sugar(i guess it varies from person to person) or too much fat (cheeses, dairy in some cases) . Anyway besides what What 23 and I have suggested, try also a product called mometasonum perhaps. Now that I think back, it helped quite a lot to get the cleaning started. I think you need a prescription, not sure, Its a liquid (I think there are also other options, like creams and.. but try the liquid, easiest I imagine) and you put it on for example after washing your hair, a few squirts and massage it into your scalp, especially where its the worst. It burns a little but in a good way.That helped a lot for me. It was 1mg/g solution from Elcom, white red bottle of mometasonum.

 

[harmacologist]

when I lived in the mountain area with dry climate my scalp got mad dry.

I didn't go no poo again, but switched to dr bonner castile soap and tried to avoid shampoo unless my hair was dirt ball, and mainly just used hot water and scrubbing, but I conditionered ever day with tea tree conditioner until it felt good and tapered it off, and generally conditionered ever 2-3 days.

 

[Deleted member 210577]

Thanks for the continuing posts, much appreciated everyone. I think stress seems to be a trigger too.. I caught myself in my sleep last night scratching an area or two, and yet through the day today it's been completely fine. Been having emotionally intense dreams recently which I think are stressing me out. I bought some more of the neutrogena T-gel stuff today, expensive stuff compared to regular shampoo. I've seen people mention tea tree oil.. some kind of mixture of essential oils appeals to me, more than a bottle full of 50 industrial chemicals anyway haha

 

[BlueIV]

If they're big flakes, almost like scales coming off the scalp to reveal redness underneath, then it's either seborrheic dermatitis or psoriasis. You'll know because the scalp feels crusty. In those cases you need to do some liver clearing because the blood is contaminated with unclean substances and they're causing skin irritation.

What unclean substances?