What is the treatment for a hard and scaly scalp?

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I read your query and can understand your concern.

Could you let me know if you have a family history of a similar condition or if you have similar conditions on other body parts?

Revert with the answer to assist further.

Thank you and take care.

Regards.

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

I read your query and can understand your concern.

Based on the images (attachments removed to protect the patient's identity) and the details provided from your end, this condition is also called sebopsoriasis. It is the thickening of the outer layer of the skin on the scalp that causes pain, itching, and a sense of hardening of areas on the scalp.

This condition occurs for multiple reasons, including genetic susceptibility, stress, sleep irregularities, hormonal fluctuations, a lack of oils, and a lack of hydration. It may also be superimposed with fungal infection due to cracks, scratching, and the raw surface, also called ulcerations in medical terms, causing the area to be more susceptible to infections.

The hardening of the scalp around each hair follicle causes pain due to the hair follicle being in a single position for long hours. Also, the adherence of the hair follicle to these scabs being formed makes it uncomfortable to move around.

Although the condition may be managed with medications, lifestyle changes, and modifications, it unfortunately cannot be cured permanently as it is a skin condition unrelated to external stimuli. But it is mostly due to your scalp and skin being vulnerable to having these lesions, which may, however, be triggered by external factors like extreme climate change, consuming hot and spicy food, stress, sleep irregularities, and so on.

My advice, considering your current scalp situation, includes the following:

1. Salicylic acid two percent and coal tar 4.25 percent scalp solution: Use this as a shampoo once every three days after wetting the scalp; massage, keep for five minutes, and wash off.

2. Clobetasol 0.05 percent and salicylic acid three percent lotion: To be applied at night in a thin layer on extremely thick and dry areas for two weeks maximum and restarted in case of future similar rashes.

3. Climbazole (imidazole) scalp cream: Use this in the cream formulation on the scalp. Apply it daily in the morning. Washing it off is not needed and may be kept on till the next wash whenever you are planning to wash your scalp, as it does not leave any residues and will be completely absorbed on the scalp.

4. Vitamin D3 60,000 IU (international units) capsules: Consume this vitamin D capsule, as it is essential for sebopsoriasis to soften the scalp. Consume one capsule once a week for eight weeks after dinner. For example, every Sunday after dinner for eight Sundays.

5. Cod liver oil capsule: Consume one daily after dinner for two months. This helps in removing the hard flakes and softening the scalp.

Use a combination of three parts coconut oil, two parts castor oil, and one capsule of vitamin E after breaking it open to release the oil from within. Mix these three oils, apply them to the scalp, leave for 30 minutes, and wash off with the prescribed shampoo.

Stress management, sleep regularization, and consuming at least 0.66 gallon of water per day are important.

Concerning hair texture, I would recommend shampooing only the scalp and not the hair. The lather that falls along hair strands during washing is enough to cleanse hair.

I would suggest you use a hair smoothing mask after shampooing for hair strands. After shampooing and washing off the shampoo, apply it along the hair strands, leave for five minutes, and wash off.

I would also suggest you use an anti-frizz shine serum that may be used once the hair is dry. Take a pump of the same, massage along the hair strands, and leave it on. They help prevent breakage and leave hair smooth.

Kindly consult a physician, discuss with them, and start taking the medications with their consent.

I hope I have answered your question.

Let me know if I can assist you further.

Regards.

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

I read your query and can understand your concern.

Yes. You may stop using the current lotion and shampoo.

Usually, if treated quickly, the hair will grow back. But if left untreated for the long term, they may cause loss of hair due to scarring.

The medications, including the oil combinations, from my end will help soften the root and aid in hair growth.

Do not worry. Proper and constant stimulation and clearance of the current lesion will help in growing back hair since it is currently just temporarily lost due to the condition.

Since you have been the same for a while and considering the images provided (attachments removed to protect the patient's identity), it may take up to a month or two for significant changes. They may reappear in the future, during which time you may use the same medications. In the meantime, lifestyle modifications, which include drinking 0.66 gallon of water per day, oiling the scalp once a week, using medications, stress management, and sleep regularization, may be continued.

I hope I have answered your question.

Let me know if I can assist you further.

Regards.

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

I read your query and can understand your concern.

I would suggest you use a hair smoothing mask after shampooing for hair strands. After shampooing and washing off the shampoo, apply it along the hair strands, leave for five minutes, and wash off.

I would also suggest you use an anti-frizz shine serum that may be used once the hair is dry. Take a pump of the same, massage along the hair strands, and leave it on. They help prevent breakage and leave hair smooth.

Please follow the guidelines provided above for maintaining hair length.

Please use the combination of oils mentioned above.

Rosemary oil can irritate your skin, considering the current concern.

I hope I have answered your question.

Let me know if I can assist you further.

Regards.

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

I read your query and can understand your concern.

For tangling, the hair mask and serum would help.

Please follow the same.

For hair growth, the clearance of the current condition will help reduce hair fall and stimulate hair growth eventually from the oils as well as the medications like vitamin D3. It will help with hair regrowth.

I hope I have answered your question.

Let me know if I can assist you further.

Regards.

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

I read your query and can understand your concern.

No, a scalp massager is not needed. A gentle massage with fingers may be done.

Also, on a dry scalp, it can cause irritation, due to which I would not recommend the same.

Salicylic acid (two percent) and coal tar (4.25 percent) scalp solution may be used as a shampoo. Since it is being used once every three days, no other shampoo is needed. Once the rashes completely go away, which may take time, regular shampoo of any brand may be started.

You may shampoo and wash your hair once every three days. On the rest of the days, only if the scalp is dirty may plain water be used for washing. Otherwise, just once every three days of washing is more than enough.

The lotion is different from cream. Climbazole (imidazole) cream is ideal because it can be kept without washing. Lotion is to be washed off like shampoo.

Once the rashes have gone completely, then the medications may be stopped. In the event of future recurrences, they may be restarted. All medications may be stopped if the lesions are gone.

You may get the medications using the same messages. Otherwise, an offline prescription may be needed for the purchase. The provided medication list may be enough for purchasing the medications.

Kindly consult a physician, discuss with them, and start taking the medications with their consent.

I hope I have answered your question.

Let me know if I can assist you further.

Regards.

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

I read your query and can understand your concern.

This combination of oil and shampoo is a commonly prescribed one and usually washes away completely when used in the right ratio, based on the details provided above. In case it does not work out for you, I would suggest you use any mild shampoo to wash them off, which usually is not needed at all.

I hope I have answered your question.

Let me know if I can assist you further.

Regards.

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

Anytime. Please feel free to book an appointment here. I will be available for both audio and video consultations as well.

I hope this helps.

Thank you and take care.

Regards.

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

I read your query and can understand your concern.

Anytime. The sebum buildup can be managed by the shampoo prescribed.

The medications provided in the form of tablets will help strengthen hair roots and help with hair growth.

I would suggest you try an anti-hair fall serum (keratin, castor oil, apigenin, oleanolic acid, and biotin) in one ml (milliliter) at night daily in the future. Please do not use the same now until the current concern is cleared.

I hope this helps.

Thank you and take care.

Regards.

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

I read your query and can understand your concern.

You are most welcome.

I hope this helps.

Thank you and take care.

Regards.

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

I read your query and can understand your concern.

For reducing dry scalp, I have already added cream and shampoo. They will help. Please follow the same advice.

The concern of tangling is due to frizzy and brittle hair strands, which have lost their strength due to keratin reduction. For the same purpose, I have mentioned the hair mask and hair serum above. Please use the same.

Hair porosity may vary from person to person due to genetic and other factors. Oils may not properly work in such circumstances. Due to this, the serum would be a better option.

You may discontinue the mask that is not working for you and start these. It is a time-consuming process, but it will get better with time.

Using a detangler comb would be good for preventing hair breakage and brushing through hair smoothly after using the hair serum.

Making sure to consume at least 0.66 gallon of water per day is advised.

I hope this helps.

Thank you and take care.

Regards.

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

Anytime.

Thank you and take care.

Regards.