What are the best treatments for itching, flaking and redness in the scalp?

Question

My 15 year old daughter has intense itching, flaking and scaling in her scalp. It itches so much that it becomes red and and starts to bleed.

She is using Head and Shoulders Intensive Treatment Shampoo and it is helping a little.

I bought her Neutrogena T-Gel Shampoo since it has coal tar and it did not help.

What other treatments are available that would work well?

Answer 1

Did she use the T-Gel Shampoo long enough? I've had the same problem since I was a child. In the past I bought the T-Gel and used it only 5-6 days, and was expecting to see immediate results. I quit using it and tried other products with no results - including harsh lotions/creams from my derm, like Clobex (which is a carcinogenetic). After frustration I just went back to the T-Gel and used every other day for about 2 weeks, and IT ALL WENT AWAY. Now I only use it once every two weeks or so. Since May I havent had ANY problems. You cant believe how relieved I feel...

Answer 2

Hello,

I'm not sure that there is enough information to go on here, to be sure really what is the matter. The most likely thing is severe itchy dandruff, (medically known as 'seborrhoeic dermatitis'), and if it is this then the whole of her scalp should be affected to some extent?

If the itching, flaking and scaling are confined to just one patch on her scalp, there is a possibility that it could be a fungus infection of the scalp, (medically known as Tinea capitis). This is an infectious condition. There are some pictures referenced below.

Other less likely possibilities at this age are Nits or Head lice. Not nice I know, but if it's not getting better these things should probably be thought of.

If it's this bad I should recommend 1% hydrocortisone cream, a mild steroid cream which does not need a prescription, as an anti- inflammatory agent. Seborrhoeic dermatitis, the most likely diagnosis, is caused by a yeast germ infecting the skin and breaking down the natural skin oils into irritating products. People who get it tend to have above-average levels of the natural skin grease or oil, and one of the important lines of treatment is to wash as much natural skin oil off as possible, so that the yeast has nothing to 'eat.'

Of course washing the skin oil out of the scalp with shampoo is only temporary, the scalp makes more, and to start with it may well be necessary to wash the scalp twice a day. A strong detergent like green Fairy Liquid is probably the most effective, and not at all irritant itself, (yes, I know the idea of using a washing-up liquid on the scalp sounds weird).

If it's not getting better I think you need a firm diagnosis for your daughter, and this would probably mean a visit to the doctor: fungus infection and nits both need different treatments to get rid of them.

Hope this is of some help. No offense to your family hygiene, these possibilities are common in spite of hygiene. Belliger (retired UK GP)

Answer 3

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
What are the best treatments for itching, flaking and redness in the scalp?
My 15 year old daughter has intense itching, flaking and scaling in her scalp. It itches so much that it becomes red and and starts to bleed.

She is using Head and Shoulders Intensive Treatment Shampoo and it is helping a little.

I bought her Neutrogena T-Gel Shampoo since it has coal tar...

Answer 4

Any shampoo with Tea Tree Oil, it is the best. You can try some plain Tea Tree Oil massaged onto the scalp, if there are open sores this will burn.... the shampoo will not.

My hubby uses it daily and it has made a HUGE difference.

Answer 5

i agree with grannyzattic. use any shampoo with Tea Tree Oil. i just brought a bottle a few nights ago at Walgreen. the name of it was Jason Tea Tree oil shampoo and conditioner. the conditioner was interesting. its so thick! i have used Nizoral, T-Gel, head n shoulders and nothing works. by far, this is the best. oh if you can't seem to find it, paul mitchell also makes a tea tree shampoo. you can purchase it at CVS

Answer 6

Redken has a full line of products for dandruff and itchiness - it's called "Scalp Relief."

However, if it seems to be a serious problem, take her to a professional salon - they might be able to customize some hair treatments for your daughter (purifying shampoos, deep conditioners). If that doesn't help, take her to a physician, she might need a shampoo/conditioner that's medicated.

Good luck!!