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What Causes Sand Like Particles On The Scalp?

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Posted on Mon, 16 Jan 2017
Question: Is there a disease characterized by excessive gritty (sand like particles) scalp secretions?
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Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (29 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Seborrheic dermatitis

Detailed Answer:
Hello. Thank you for writing to us

I am dr.kakkar(dermatologist). I have gone through your query and i have noted your concern.

You seem to have seborrheic dermatitis of scalp. It may present as scaling, redness, itching and oozing which may crust and ooze further on manipulation.
You may use a ketoconazole based anti dandruff shampoo (nizoral shampoo) or Selsun blue shampoo (contauns selenium sulphide). Both of these are anti seborrheics. You may shampoo with either of these every alternate days.

Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Kakkar (1 hour later)
Is this a condition which I need to attack daily? Should I be shampooing alternately with the nizoral or Selson blue shampoo daily? I have used the nizoral shampoo and it only made the condition worse as my hair immediately became coarser and more brittle. I also tried Dermarest Psoriasis shampoo and T-Gel shampoo all of which only intensified the dryness and coarseness with brittle ends of my hair. My doctor examined me and ruled out seborrheic dermatitis, regular dandruff, and psoriasis. She said that I had cradle cap and I have only been using baby oil and baby shampoo twice weekly. Is this something that needs a long course of treatment? I do have a consult scheduled w/ a dermatologist this week but in order to get an appt. soon than March I will have to pay an unknown amount of money as my health insurance does not cover this specialist's fee and that is whcy I am trying to solve this problem myself.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
A cetrimide based shampoo would be more effective for cradle cap

Detailed Answer:
Hi.

Cradle cap is the severe form of seborrehic dermatitis that is characterised by deposition of excessive amounts of greasy, yellowish scales on scalp.
Yes, you need to use an appropriate shampoo daily. You may infact use a cetrimide 5% shampoo (e.g Cetrilak) which would more effective than a routine antifungal shampoo in removing those adherent, greasy scales in cradle cap.
In addition I would also suggest overnight application of a topical steroid lotion e.g either mometasone furoate 0.1% lotion or clobetasol propionate 0.05% lotion Or fluocinolone acetonide 0.1% lotion, on scalp skin, for a few days. Once the condition improves you may maintain the improvement with just a shampoo, daily or every alternate days..

Regards
Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Dr. Kakkar

Dermatologist

Practicing since :2002

Answered : 9612 Questions

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What Causes Sand Like Particles On The Scalp?

Brief Answer: Seborrheic dermatitis Detailed Answer: Hello. Thank you for writing to us I am dr.kakkar(dermatologist). I have gone through your query and i have noted your concern. You seem to have seborrheic dermatitis of scalp. It may present as scaling, redness, itching and oozing which may crust and ooze further on manipulation. You may use a ketoconazole based anti dandruff shampoo (nizoral shampoo) or Selsun blue shampoo (contauns selenium sulphide). Both of these are anti seborrheics. You may shampoo with either of these every alternate days. Regards