HomeAnswersDermatologyitchy scalpI am suffering from itching, scaly skin, and hair changes. Kindly help.

What are the solutions for itching, scaly skin, and hair changes?

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The following is an actual conversation between an iCliniq user and a doctor that has been reviewed and published as a Premium Q&A.

Answered by

Dr. Suvash Sahu

Medically reviewed by

iCliniq medical review team

Published At November 17, 2023
Reviewed AtNovember 17, 2023

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

There has been a type of scaly skin that peels off, as well as lots of burn-like itching on my scalp from my knowledge since winter. There is also a yellow crust on my ears as well as on the sides of my nose. Although I was prescribed Ketoconazole shampoo, 2 %, the symptoms never seemed to go away. After finally shaving my scalp and trying the Fougera Triamcinolone Acetonide Ointment USP (triamcinolone acetonide), 0.1 % that was prescribed by my dermatologist for the eczema on my arm creases, which worked tremendously. I attempted that very ointment and it has helped some extent for my scalp. The itching has gone down a lot but the scaly parts keep showing back up and there is little itching but not as severe as before. All of this originally started in the summer with a burning and itching feeling with a not so great odor on the back of my scalp. It had gotten so bad to the point where I had to wash my hair twice weekly because it only lasted for three days at a time. People pointed out that there were holes in my lower hair that is closest to my neck, where you can see the skin more. During summer, it seemed to have spread more upward to where there were three visible holes that were in the middle region of the back of my head. What could that possibly be? The itching and burning came back around the winter of that same year, but this time the hair on my eyebrows started to fall out, and now the upper part of my hair is starting to thin a bit. I do not know if it was the cotton pillowcases. I used to have on my pillows that helped to pull the hair or not. I do know though that it has caused my hair in the lower region to thin some due to rapid movement in my sleep over the years. But now, I use a satin pillowcase. Even though I can use certain hair products to make my hair grow faster, the dot-like hair holes are still visible. And now there is a visible black spot on my upper head as you will see in the picture. I am not sure if that is just hair from not shaving my head as close in order to show you the effects or if that is something else. There is also a noticeable difference in my facial hair just like with my eyebrows even though it has grown a lot. But when shaven down, there is a noticeable difference, as well as yellow crust all over when I do not wash it. What creams, shampoos and ointments could I possibly use? What could all of this be? Like seborrheic dermatitis or even alopecia or what?

Thank you.

Answered by Dr. Suvash Sahu

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.

I am glad you chose icliniq for your medical-related queries.

I understand your concern and will try to help you with it.

  1. It seems you have developed seborrheic dermatitis with capitis.

  2. It seems you have seborrheic dermatitis.

  3. Seborrheic dermatitis is a papulosquamous disorder involving mainly sebum-rich areas of the body like the scalp, face (postauricular areas, eyebrows, side of nose, chin), and trunk.

  4. Intermittent active phases manifests with burning, scaling, and itching, alternating with inactive periods; activity is increased in winter and early spring, with remissions commonly occurring in summer.

The treatment plan includes the following:

  1. I suggest you start the antifungal Ketoconazole shampoo, used twice weekly, alternating with your daily shampoo.

  2. Use Desonide lotion once daily over affected areas.

  3. Tablet Levocetirizine once daily for a week.

Consult your specialist doctor, discuss with them, and take the medicines with their consent.

Thank you for consulting me.

You can always come back and reach me at icliniq.com.

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. Suvash Sahu
Dr. Suvash Sahu

Dermatology

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