What Causes Severe Itchy Scalp?

Posted on Wed, 10 May 2017

Question: I don't know if I need an entomologist but I haven't had much luck with others. I've had very itchy hair for almost a year now. It's not lice or scabies as that's been checked and treated by me anyways. I've tried all the shampoos and creams as my eyebrows and face itch, as well as my dog and my cat. Here's what's really strange...I'm NOT crazy so please don't tell me about Delusional psychosis. My husband has witnessed this strange phenomenon around 50 different times now and we don't know where to turn. I've put samples of my hair in a ziplock bag and frighteningly found that my hair was piercing through the baggy. This happens again and again and my PCP just looked at me like I had 5 heads. Could a parasite make my hair travel like that? Very scary stuff but absolutely true and I cannot get any answers. Can SOMEBODY please help me?

Answered by Dr. Kampana (15 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Try home remedies and meet a dermatologist. Take your pets to a vet.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thanks for your query.

I understand your concerns. Itchy scalp can be due to various reasons like:
- Dandruff
- Psoriasis
- Tinea capitis
- Head lice
- Allergic reaction to hair dyes or eczema.

As you have got yourself checked for lice and scabies, you can rule them out.

You can try these remedies for itchy scalp till you meet your dermatologist:
- Tea tree oil: Massage it on your scalp overnight and wash your hair in the morning
- Apple cider vinegar: Mix with water and wash your hair.
- Avoid chemicals to your hair.
- For dandruff use over the counter shampoos containing Selenium or Zinc.

Itchy face can be due to dry skin, allergies. If facial itching is accompanied by tongue or throat swelling, difficulty breathing or vomiting, seek medical attention immediately. These could be signs of a life-threatening allergic reaction called anaphylaxis.

Itchy skin due to dryness, lotion or moisturizers may help. If you have eczema or another skin condition will be diagnosed by your dermatologist.

You can try home remedies for itchy face:
- Staying hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids like juice and water.
- Use a humidifier.
- Showering in warm water is fine but hot water can irritate your skin.
- Use mild moisturizer and lotions for your skin.
- As you have a pet dog and cat, and you say they also itch. Wash them regularly.
Take them to a vet to check if they are infected.

It is best to meet a dermatologist as soon as possible to confirm the diagnosis and get appropriate treatment.

I hope this answered your query.

With regards,

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana

Follow up: Dr. Kampana (39 hours later)

I have already been to 2 different Dermatologists and scabies, lice and folliculitis have been ruled out. I have used Head and Shoulders, Selsun Blue and Nix before I even went to the Drs., the 1st dermatologist saw me for less than 1 minute and the other one followed the same diagnosis as the first, as they always do. I have done research on Google and you are my last resort. We've spent hundreds, or maybe even a thousand dollars at the vets. Our pets are better cared for than ourselves. I'm sorry I was not clear that I've done everything, including moisturizers first. The vet is waiting on my results to see what our pets may have as Pet Dermatologists are very costly. I've brought samples of my hair to both my PCP and the 1st Dermatologist (whom I saw on an emergency basis as his, and all Dermatologists appointments are months away) didn't even look at the hair samples under a microscope ! I was less than impressed. My hair doesn't look like my hair which is usually thin and soft but now it's very thick, like hay and my eyelashes are also falling out daily. Also, right after I got my hair colored, a lot of the hair was white and my normal hair color is brown. I always have it colored blonde. Is it possible that I have a Bacterial Folliculitis as no one has done a nose swab or a face skin scrape, which I found out on the internet that that's how they find this out? Also, I take it that you have never heard of pieces of hair that fall out and that are collected in baggies as samples pierce through the bags ? I really couldn't believe this myself but noticed it while trying to find out anything wrong for myself. This I did with a magnifying glass and my husband has witnessed this over a dozen different times now. This is a very strange phenomenon that I have a hard time thinking that no one else has ever had this happen to them. I'm ready to do a demonstration in my doctor's office but, with my luck, it probably won't happen and I'll look even stranger. I've done all you've said before and I came here as a last ditch effort to find out what I was missing. Can you PLEASE check with your colleagues again and tell me what I need to know ?

Answered by Dr. Kampana (7 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Please upload images.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thank you for trusting our forum. I will try to my best to answer all your queries.

Bacterial folliculitis is inflammation of the hair pouch from where the hair grows out. It can be bacterial or fungal. It is most common on the beard area, arms, back, buttocks, and legs.

Folliculitis usually looks like red pimples with a hair in the center of each one. The pimples may have pus in them, and they may itch or burn.

Your symptoms don't look like you have bacterial folliculitis. I would suggest you to upload a few pictures of your hair, scalp and face so I can get a better idea.

Your symptoms mostly look like you are having an allergic reaction to the hair color you use.
The primary cause of allergies is a substance called paraphenylenediamine or PPD. The most common symptoms include itchy scalp, redness and swelling in the scalp, mild dandruff, swelling around the eyes and eyelids, and scaly skin around eyes, nose and face.

Looking forward for the images.

With 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. Kampana