Red scalp and dandruff

Hi. For the past year and a half i have had severe redness going across my scalp at the bottom back of my head near my ears on top of excessive dandruff that does not seem to go away. The redness and dandruff make me constantly have to itch my head and every time i brush my hair more dandruff comes out and i have tried every shampoo including dandruff shampoos like head and shoulders and selsun blue but nothing seems to work. i dont put any chemicals in my hair because of the redness and dandruff and because of the redness, my scalp burns. Its not any red pimples just looks like a burn mark because it is so red and my hair is so thick but it is just getting aggravating and i do not know how to make the redness and dandruff go away. Help is appreciated

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
It can be due to seborrheic dermatitis, cradle cap or eczema. You can treat flaking and dryness with over-the-counter dandruff or medicated shampoos. Shampoo the hair vigorously and frequently (preferably daily). Active ingredients in these shampoos include salicylic acid, coal tar, zinc, resorcin, ketoconazole, or selenium.

If the symptoms persist, then it would be best to get it confirmed from a dermatologist.

It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your doctor. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.