Are you someone who feels like snow is constantly falling from their scalp? If so, this article is for you! Seborrheic dermatitis, otherwise known as medical-grade dandruff is a chronic condition that can flare in times of stress or with weather changes. It can manifest in different ways depending on the person. Some people have severe flaking that they can’t seem to control no matter how often they wash their hair. Others may have severe itching in the scalp with minimal dandruff. Continue reading to find out what shampoos help and a few tricks you can do to find some relief from that intense itchy scalp!
Use an anti-dandruff shampoo
This may be an obvious one for most, but did you know that even if you don’t have “dandruff” and have itching you may still benefit? Seborrheic dermatitis is an overgrowth of yeast on the skin. These anti-dandruff shampoos combat yeast and lessen flaking and itching. There are prescription strength options but some of my favorite over-the-counter ones are Head and Shoulders, Selsun Blue, and Nizoral! Anti-dandruff shampoos should be used two to three times a week for more benefit. Also, make sure you leave it in for five to ten minutes before rinsing it out.
Use a topical steroid solution
Depending on the severity of your itching you may need a prescription-strength steroid to control it. There is a topical steroid that is available over the counter and this is hydrocortisone 1%. For an itchy scalp in particular I recommend Scalpacin. While hydrocortisone 1% is a mild topical steroid it can still negatively impact your skin if you overuse it. My general rule of thumb is to use it no more than fourteen days per month in the same area. I would avoid getting it on your face or your ears unless otherwise recommended by your medical provider.
Avoid edible ingredients in your hair products and food
You may be thinking to yourself, edible? Yes, you read that right. Edible oils include coconut oil, avocado oil, and olive oil amongst others. The yeast on the skin can FEED on these products and it can worsen your condition. Make sure you check the ingredients on all of your hair products! Now, what else should you avoid? Well, since this is considered an inflammatory condition, another holistic approach would be to decrease inflammation or start an anti-inflammatory diet. This means decreasing red meats, dairy products, and processed foods.
Alright, there you have it! These few tips are a surefire way to improve your condition and slow the snowfall. Bonus tip: if you get dryness and flaking on your eyebrows and in the creases of your nose you may have facial dandruff. If that is the case, you can use the same anti-dandruff shampoo as a face wash. By commenting below, let us know if any of these tips or tricks worked for your itchy scalp!
*Disclaimer: Opinions expressed are solely my own and do not express the views or opinions of my employer. Information on this website is for education and entertainment purposes only. Content is my opinion. It is not substituted for your own doctor’s medical care or advice. One should not make any health or medical-related decisions based in whole or in part on any content on this site. Content is not intended to replace the services of a licensed, trained health professional. Content may not apply to you as an individual. Although I will update my website with current information, this website is not a definitive guide to dermatology.
View comments
+ Leave a comment