Is it dandruff?

Question

Ever since i became pregnant my skin has been super dry and flaky. I have been able to combat the majority of this with moisturizers & lotions but the top of my head still seems flaky. I already use a shampoo formulated for dry hair but it doesnt seem to be my hair as much as my scalp that is dry (and i cant seem to figure out how to put lotion on the top of my head lol). I have never had dandruff so i don't know if this is it, is it all hormonal? will dandruff shampoos help? has anyone else experienced this? It's not really itchy but it is noticably flaky, especially at my hairline.

(Sorry, i didnt know whether to categorize this as a pregnancy question but i was hoping other moms have been through something similar)

Answer 1

I did not have dry skin on my head, but I did get very dry skin, and yes it is due to the hormone changes from pregnancy.

Here are some things I did and a few new things I learned from treating my toddler daughter who has eczema:
• Avoid hot showers and baths, which can dry out your skin (or shower/bathe every other or third day with sponge baths in between).
• Within 3 min after a shower or bath moisturize all over!
• Try an occasional warm oatmeal bath (Aveeno) and go 'soak your head' lol. You can buy these at the drugstore.
• We only wash our daughter's hair weekly (unless she has gotten into something) to reduce drying of her scalp. She has an eczema spot on her head that is VERY hard to calm down.
• Try Aquaphor at night at your hair line and (kinda) rinse out in the AM.

Aquaphor is a quite thick moisturizer (almost as like Vaseline, but better) and has been the savior to my daughter’s skin. It may take 3-4 days, but Aquaphor is amazing.

I have not done this, but I think it may help. You could try a hot oil hair treatment (like VO5) and use more and leave it on your scalp a bit longer. The oil is a type of moisturizer for your hair maybe it will help your scalp.

Good luck! Hope some of this helps.

Answer 2

I'm not a mom but I have experience with really bad dandruff. Buy a dandruff shampoo with Zinc in it. I use Pert Plus. Also mine was so bad I had to go to a dermatologist. He gave me a compound spray that had more Zinc in it that I spray right on my scalp daily. It got rid of all the dandruff in two days time. But my dandruff was really bad and incredibly itchy, fortunately I have blonde hair so you couldn't tell as long as I wore light colors. I would try an over the counter dandruff shampoo first. You don't sound like you have it very bad and the dandruff shampoos you get at the store work for most people. Also I buy the Tea Tree shampoo and conditioner for the days I don't use the dandruff shampoo. Tea Tree is great for the scalp and it gives you a cooling sensation that feels great on your head.

Answer 3

Arbonne has some great pure, safe, and beneficial products for both your skin and your scalp. They have an awesome hydrating body lotion and hand cream that are formulated with natural botanicals and water based. Water based products hep to penetrate the dermis of your skin to deeply condition and hydrate. They are dermatologist tested, pH correct, and made with natural ingredients for maximum benefit. They also have a great self adjusting daily shampoo and conditioner are formulated with natural tree oil. Native to Australia, tea tree oil is known as “The wonder from down under.” :-) This natural, super-potent oil treats dry, flaky scalp, so that both the head and hair are left nourished, and flake-free. It's botanically based without alcohol, wax, dyes, chemicals, fragrances, acetone, and mineral oil formulated with key ingredients including nanospheres, nettle, hops, sage and thyme extracts, vitamins A, C, E. If you're interested in learning more, I'll be happy to help you.

Answer 4

Do you use any gel. It could be drying up and flaking off. I remember all the itching. Palmers is good lotion. I put conditioner on my finger tips and rubbed my scalp. Your little one is sucking the life from you. Have you tried dandruff shampoo. It's not the same as dry hair shampoo. I dont think you use it on your hair but your scalp. Good luck and congrats on the future bundle of joy.

Answer 5

Your dryness could be a symptom of pregnancy, one of those wierd things that happen like red mask and red palms. I would suggest uping your water intake to prevent dehydration. I think that it will help your skin out by allowing you to stay a bit more hydrated and less dry. If it is caused by pregnancy it probably won't help to use dandruff shampoo since dandruff is a fungus or bacteria (can't remember which) and if it isn't present it won't help it. Good luck and congrats.

Answer 6

Mine wasn't a pregnancy issue, I have Seborrheic Dermatitis of the scalp. I found that mine was worse during pregnancy. You could try the dandruff shampoos but I would consult with your Dr first. They contain chemicals that might go into your bloodstream through your scalp.

Answer 7

I didnt have this problem when I was pregnant, but I do now. My hairdresser suggested Tea Tree Shampoo for dry scalp. I haven't tried it yet (she was out of it), but you can get it at any salon or salon supply store.

Answer 8

Yes i have this problem too. I stopped washing my hair every day and it has lightened up a bit.