scalp dispair

[judithkopf]

Help ! I need some personal " good-luck" experiences to help with typical itching, flaking, scalp problems-Worse part is dressing to go to work, even with light colored tops, loose scales get everywhere!! ugggggg
I have recently experimented with oils rubbed in the scalp and plastic bonnet overnite to reduce scaling BUT after only 1-day grows back!
When i have my hair cut/colored I use the oil TX 2 nites in a row and it temporarily looks/feels better-People are always brushing scales from my clothes tops-
What do the rest of you ,out there, do to manage these problems?? HELP jk

[Mystic]

I had the same problem before starting Enbrel. I tried every shampoo, oil, ointment, and foam. Everything in my closet is light colored because of the flakes all over everything. I just tried to be content with white and getting used to everyone dusting me off. Right now due to Enbrel my scalp is great. I also have been using tea tree shampoo and tea tree leave in conditioner for scalp and body.
Good luck
Debbie

[MikeK]

Hi Judith,

Welcome to the Board! :cool: Nice to meet you. I'm sorry to hear that you're going through such a hard time. :( Fortunately, you've come to a very special place. A lot of nice and helpful people post here. More important, it's great ti FINALLY be able to ask questions, vent, exchange info, or even share some laughs with people who truly understand. :)

Scalp psoriasis can be very hard to treat. To add insult to injury something that works for one person may or may not work for another. In no particular order, here's a couple of quick suggestions: Olux Foam (www.olux.com) or it's milder cousin Luxiq Foam (www.luxiq.com); Capex shampoo (www.capexshampoo.com); Derma-Smooth/FS (http://www.hillderm.com/questions/questions.htm) (see below); Baker's P&S Oil (see below); Shampoos and conditioners with tea tree oil in them. A lot of people who post here use Paul Mitchell tea tree conditioners and shampoos (http://www.paulmitchell.com/site/subpage.asp?section=2,10,32). I was told that Paul Mitchell products can only be found in beauty supply stores, but I was able to find it at a New York area chain type drug store. It's very expensive, but I was able to find a cheaper tea tree oil shampoo by reading just about every bottle of shampoo in the store. Julia (screen name: AmeliasMom), who sometimes posts on the Parents and Caregivers' board, speaks very highly of Nature's Gate tea tree oil shampoo. Here's a link to one of her posts: http://www.psoriasis.org/forum/showthread.php?p=81776#post81776. I've been using Nature's Gate tea tree oil shampoo for several weeks and it does seem to help. As I mentioned in my response to Julia, I was able to find a store in my area that sells Nature's Gate products by going to their website (here's a link: http://www.worldpantry.com/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/ExecMacro/naturesgate/findastore.d2w/report) and using the "find a retailer feature".; Shampoos and conditioners with either coal tar or salicylic acid in them. Coal tar has been used to treat psoriasis for many, many years. (You may not be able to find products with coal tar in them if you live in California.) Salicylic acid is one of the few doctor approved methods for removing scales. MG217 (www.mg217.com) and Neutrogena (http://neutrogena.com/haircare/ProductsLine_7_11_1.asp) make shampoos with either coal tar or salicylic acid in them. (Here in New Jersey the salicylic acid version of MG217 seems to be available by special order only.) Dermarest (www.dermarest.com) makes both a shampoo and a conditioner that are made with salicylic acid; At least one person who posts here uses a flea comb to remove the scales. Here's a link to that discussion: http://www.psoriasis.org/forum/showthread.php?t=3492Both the Derma-Smooth/FS and the Baker's P&S Oil are used exactly the same way. You leave the on for several hours (most people leave the on over night) covered with a showercap. They can be very hard to get used to. Some people have posted here that they've stopped using them, because they didn't think that they could ever get used to them. They both stain and the stains can be impossible to get out, so old clothes and bed linens are a good idea. (Some people cover their pillows with an old towel.) Derma-Smooth/FS is peanut oil based, so it can't be used by people with a peanut allergy. Baker's P&S oil is mineral oil based. Derma-Smooth/FS has a prescription medication in it. Baker's P&S Oil is available over the counter, usually by special order only. I've already gaven you a link for Derma-Smooth/FS. I've never been able to find a wesite for Baker's P&S Oil, so I'm going to give you a link to a site the sells it online. I've NEVER ordered anything from them, so I don't know how reliable they are. I'm giving you the link because their description of Baker's P&S Oil is a good one. Here's the link: http://www.dermadoctor.com/product.asp?WID=%7B9198C2EA%2DD9E8%2D44A6%2DAF41%2 DCF6F2377E450%7D&productid=206. Some people get similar results using olive oil, mineral oil, or baby oil.

I'm sorry that this turned into such a novel. You're probably suffering from information overload. :rolleyes: I hope that it helps in some small way. Good luck. Keep us posted and please don't be a stranger.

Mike

[RichJ]

Hi Judith,
sorry i can't help much but welcome to the p family. you have met some of the wonderful people on here and will find alot of great info. welcome and nice to meet you.

have a good week end all

richard

[abbyroad]

hey Judith,
I know...it can be frustrating...for me, I am a flight attendant and I have to wear navy blue!!! I am constantly looking down at my shoulders and giving my jacket a quick shake as if I am hot and trying to cool myself down while boarding ( I think other gals think I'm having hot flashes...haha..). Anyway, what Mike just posted with all of the suggested products is wonderful. Unfortunately, at this moment, I am having a flare up all over my body and scalp. For my scalp, I use the Derma-Smoothe oil, and I alternate these shampoos, DHS Zinc Shampoo, Clobex shampoo ( I leave this on for 15 minutes before washing out. I wet my hair in the kitchen sink shampoo with Clobex, put the shower cap that I use for the Derma smoothe and leave this on for 15 minutes and then get in the shower...I know, the clobex days are a pain), Neutrogena T-Gel Daily Control. I also have a conditioner that is a Tea Tree Oil Conditioner (generic brand I buy at a Beauty Supply store). I also use the Olux foam that has been giving me good results. Good luck with everything and at least you can choose what you wear to work..at least my uniform shirt is white! :-)

[spotsz]

hi, I had real bad scalp p. for about 2 yrs. a friend with p. gave me a med that her dr., had prescibed for her, I tried it, it was fantastic. I dont understand why the derms don't push this more, its so easy and it works.Its called zinc zap,spray, they add 0.05 clobetasol powder to it. You spray it on the spots and they disappear,after about 2 weeks everything was gone, now I only use it when they reappear, maybe once or twice a month. Use regular shampoo and conditioner, no grease no fuss, no caps. apparantely there is a shampoo and conditioner, which I have never used as the spray does it all. if you want the full run down send me a private message. its out of Toronto but Im sure they would mail it to you if your derm cant get it. Ask you wont be sorry.I am not advertising for this product, but it is great.spotsz :)

[nataliab]

Hi Judith! I am so sorry to hear about your problem. I know exactly how you feel! I also have P on my scalp as well as all over my body. But as far as scalp is concerned, Olux foam works extremely well for me. It takes care of all scaling, and flakes, etc. I put a lot of it though right after I wash my hair. Also, I found that massaging extra virgin olive oil into the scalp and living it for a couple of hours helps with itching and scaling a lot. The only problem is that it leaves your hair a little greasy if you dont wash it well afterwards. For shampoo I use Selsum Blue for psoriasis (you can buy it in any pharmacy over the counter), it is a little tingling but help with itching. I hope it helps. Take care.
Natalia

[Beck]

Hi Judith - I also have pretty severe scalp p. I started off with Clobetasol proprianate drops, which worked, but I think this contributed to a major flare on other parts of my body so I wouldn't recommend it.
The routine that has ultimately worked the best is Derma-Smooth every other day (left on overnight w/cap) and Neutrogena t-gel with severe itch control (the green label) every day. It doesn't completely get rid of it, but keeps it at a managable level. I've found it is important to leave the t-gel shampoo on for a full five minutes before rinsing it out. I hope this helps you.

[Charlobo]

Hi Judith,

I've found great relief with Enbrel, but before you go through the hoops to get it, Neutrogena makes great tar shampoos, and I recommend those to you as well.

They will help with the itching and the scaling...tons! They don't smell harsh like other shampoos do as well. I have used Jojoba oil at my hairline, and while it doesn't eradicate the problem, it does make the scales easier to remove before I head off to work.

Hope you find relief soon! My thoughts will be with you!

Charlene