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Scalp Condition - Grainy Sand/Sugar
I found this website through a google for "sand on scalp", and I found a journal entry from someone here at http://www.medhelp.org/user_journals/show/12858/scalp-condition that I wanted to draw attention to on this forum. Everyone on that journal suffers form the same issue I do.
For the past two years, I have what feel and appear to be like grains of sand on my scalp. They seem to be "attached" to the base of the hair shafts, but when I massage my scalp gently with my fingertips, they come off. My scalp has 100s of them. If I scratch my head, the itching sensation is INTENSE, and I try never to scratch my scalp. If I do give in, and scrape a few dozen of them off, I can get them out form under my fingernails (gross, I know), and they look like grains of sugar or sand. They are hard like grains of sand. You can not "squish" them.
They are not lice...my husband is an RN, and he has looked at my scalp many times, and we are certain of this. The dermatologists I have seen also tell me they are not lice, but seem to be unconcerned, and give me no suggestions of how to stop them or the itching, except to use dandruff shampoo - which does absolutely nothing.
You can see more details of exactly what all of us (over 70 posts at that link) are going through - very similar to exact same stories. They are not flake-like at all. Any suggestions would be appreciated, thanks in advance. We are all looking for answers to this mystery, and would love to hear some new ideas. So far, suggestions have been Morgellons disease, White piedra, Demodex folliculorum, and the one I lean towards: seborrheic dermatitis. However, not being FLAKES seems to rule the last one out!? Help?
For the past two years, I have what feel and appear to be like grains of sand on my scalp. They seem to be "attached" to the base of the hair shafts, but when I massage my scalp gently with my fingertips, they come off. My scalp has 100s of them. If I scratch my head, the itching sensation is INTENSE, and I try never to scratch my scalp. If I do give in, and scrape a few dozen of them off, I can get them out form under my fingernails (gross, I know), and they look like grains of sugar or sand. They are hard like grains of sand. You can not "squish" them.
They are not lice...my husband is an RN, and he has looked at my scalp many times, and we are certain of this. The dermatologists I have seen also tell me they are not lice, but seem to be unconcerned, and give me no suggestions of how to stop them or the itching, except to use dandruff shampoo - which does absolutely nothing.
You can see more details of exactly what all of us (over 70 posts at that link) are going through - very similar to exact same stories. They are not flake-like at all. Any suggestions would be appreciated, thanks in advance. We are all looking for answers to this mystery, and would love to hear some new ideas. So far, suggestions have been Morgellons disease, White piedra, Demodex folliculorum, and the one I lean towards: seborrheic dermatitis. However, not being FLAKES seems to rule the last one out!? Help?
Hi, I think I know what it is, and it's one of two things - as I get it, but it's not massively itchy...
It's either salt crystals that come out of my follicles (usually only after I use a shampoo with SLS - if you try a sulfate free shampoo you'll notice those crystals disappear!)
Or it's KERATINOSIS - which I also suffer from. If you read up on KP, you can see if affects people that suffer from Exczema, and very common. So those little grains are probably little plugs of keratin that come out from your hair follicle.
It's either salt crystals that come out of my follicles (usually only after I use a shampoo with SLS - if you try a sulfate free shampoo you'll notice those crystals disappear!)
Or it's KERATINOSIS - which I also suffer from. If you read up on KP, you can see if affects people that suffer from Exczema, and very common. So those little grains are probably little plugs of keratin that come out from your hair follicle.
1 Comments
This!!! Also when I stopped all liquid soaps with SLS or one of it's many derivatives.I no longer have that weird mix of eczema and psoriasis, after 20 years of different Drs creams. Now I only use certain ones like Bronners, or dessert essence. SLS was originally used to decrease garage floors, now it's everywhere. I figured this out in college chemistry by accident, something just clicked when I was reading about it.. also watch out for it in cleaning products and every once in awhile in conditioners and lotions,and hand sanitizers... hope this brings anyone the relief I felt when figuring this out.
I have mast cell activation disorder. It means my allergy part of the immune system is constantly firing off for no reason. I have allergic reactions to things like water, heat, touch, fatigue etc, it causes lots of serious medical issues throughout my body and is connected to a life-threatening condition I have. However, the reason I mention this is because i have the same grainy sand shedding on my scalp and its caused by this issue with my allergy system.
Basically my body is having a permeant allergic reaction to my hair causing the mast cells to overproduce histamine which then causes the itching and grainy sandy skin cells. Touching my scalp or scratching the itch then causes the mast cells to have a bigger allergic reaction to the scratching so they fire off even more and the cycle turns into severe itching all over and shedding all that grainy stuff. My scalp becomes inflamed at times and for me major hair loss has been the end result of this severe reaction caused by my mast cell disorder.
As a kid my mum thought i had lice often because of the grainy sand-like shedding and I was constantly scratching my head till it bled. Dandruff products made it much worse (as I was reacting to the products causing bigger allergic reaction and worsening of the grainy stuff and itching). My doctors said my hair loss was stress or hormones but nothing changed when i was on hormone treatment or when my life was calm and not stressful.
It took ten years to figure out the connection between my mast cell disorder and the grainy sand-like skin cells on my scalp. My mast cell specialist who confirmed it was caused by my mast cell disorder. When i started treatment for my mast cells the scalp improved a bit. Sadly treatment for me couldn’t continue because of a severe underlying illness I have. So i live with a shaved head (thankfully i’m used to it now and it makes life much easier not having hair to style). I have very bad itching most nights (i find it worse at night which is when my mast cells tend to react more as my body becomes more tired). And I get covered in the grain sandstorm from my head through the night (i have a spinal injury at neck so can’t move in bed without waking my spouse so I just lie with a back scratcher on a long stick scratching my head as the mast cells kick off more and more as I scratch the itch they are making worse lol). If I’m having a big mast cell reaction my scalp itching is the first thing to start then the rest of my body becomes itchy, my skin swells and I have a severe allergic response. I take an antihistamine injection which stops the reaction including my scalp. The rest of the time I’m just dealing with a low level itching on my scalp and the grainy sandy skin cells building up until i start scratching and then it doesnt stop until i make my head sore.
I avoid dandruff, dry scalp and itchy scalp products as they contain stuff mast cells react to. Instead I use a shampoo bar which contains Zinc Pyrithion which reduces histamine on the scalp. I’ve been using it a few months and its the first time in my life i haven’t been itchy as hell after washing my head. I get a couple of days relief from the itching and grainy sand storm unless something triggers a mast cell response somewhere in my body and then the scalp joins in. I use regular antihistamines as soon as I feel reaction starting and have injections to deal with a severe attack. I avoid things which cause me allergic type reactions and just put up with what I’m left with (in the grand scheme of my medical situation, this scalp issue is just an inconvenience, but I understand for healthy people it could be more prominant in their daily life).
Look at general allergy, over production of histamine on the scalp (and possibly mast cell issues if you also have other health issues. mast cell reactions don’t often look like typical allergic reactions. They can cause gastric issues, other organ issues, brain fog, headaches, fatigue, heart issues, and other autonomic problems).
In terms of the scalp issues, try taking an antihistamine when you scalp gets itchy and avoid shampoo for dandruff, dry scalp etc and look for a gentle shampoo which contains Zinc Pyrithione, which reduces histamin in the scalp. Baby shampoo is a big trigger for my scalp so be aware one solution for one person may not be the answer for you. Cleversoap is a company i use and its the only product which offers me any relief. Make a note of what you eat, drink or do before the itching and grainy stuff flares up and see if there are triggers which you can start to avoid to help reduce the issue.
Its easy to find something which reduces the problem or makes it go away when its an immune/allergy problem but its keeping it at bay thats the diffculty. Its probably unlikely you’ll be allergic to a specific thing if you’ve had this issue for a long time so focus on finding what helps reduce the allergic response at the current time. Also be aware that your immune system is affected by many things which is why some people find one thing works for them for a period while others find something else works for them. This is why you get so many different opinions on what is causing the same problem. I can say its my shampoo, or the water, but its my body’s reaction to these these things that is the issue. It took me a few years to stop chasing the cure and realise that my body was just adapting to the things that were working, thats what mast cells do. They are a pain in the rear when they don’t work correctly.
Its also important to remember that thus symptom on the scalp could be caused by different things for different people so while its an allergy system/immune system thing for me it doesnt mean its not a hormone thing or a product thing for someone else.
Find what works for you and if you find an answer thats great, you can now find ways to manage the problem
For me its keeping my allergy system calm and dealing with reactions when they happen. Now i know what causes the isssue for me I’ve found it less stressful having it because i’m not fretting trying to find a cure, i just use what works when it works and move onto something else when my immune system becomes used to the stuff I’m using.
Basically my body is having a permeant allergic reaction to my hair causing the mast cells to overproduce histamine which then causes the itching and grainy sandy skin cells. Touching my scalp or scratching the itch then causes the mast cells to have a bigger allergic reaction to the scratching so they fire off even more and the cycle turns into severe itching all over and shedding all that grainy stuff. My scalp becomes inflamed at times and for me major hair loss has been the end result of this severe reaction caused by my mast cell disorder.
As a kid my mum thought i had lice often because of the grainy sand-like shedding and I was constantly scratching my head till it bled. Dandruff products made it much worse (as I was reacting to the products causing bigger allergic reaction and worsening of the grainy stuff and itching). My doctors said my hair loss was stress or hormones but nothing changed when i was on hormone treatment or when my life was calm and not stressful.
It took ten years to figure out the connection between my mast cell disorder and the grainy sand-like skin cells on my scalp. My mast cell specialist who confirmed it was caused by my mast cell disorder. When i started treatment for my mast cells the scalp improved a bit. Sadly treatment for me couldn’t continue because of a severe underlying illness I have. So i live with a shaved head (thankfully i’m used to it now and it makes life much easier not having hair to style). I have very bad itching most nights (i find it worse at night which is when my mast cells tend to react more as my body becomes more tired). And I get covered in the grain sandstorm from my head through the night (i have a spinal injury at neck so can’t move in bed without waking my spouse so I just lie with a back scratcher on a long stick scratching my head as the mast cells kick off more and more as I scratch the itch they are making worse lol). If I’m having a big mast cell reaction my scalp itching is the first thing to start then the rest of my body becomes itchy, my skin swells and I have a severe allergic response. I take an antihistamine injection which stops the reaction including my scalp. The rest of the time I’m just dealing with a low level itching on my scalp and the grainy sandy skin cells building up until i start scratching and then it doesnt stop until i make my head sore.
I avoid dandruff, dry scalp and itchy scalp products as they contain stuff mast cells react to. Instead I use a shampoo bar which contains Zinc Pyrithion which reduces histamine on the scalp. I’ve been using it a few months and its the first time in my life i haven’t been itchy as hell after washing my head. I get a couple of days relief from the itching and grainy sand storm unless something triggers a mast cell response somewhere in my body and then the scalp joins in. I use regular antihistamines as soon as I feel reaction starting and have injections to deal with a severe attack. I avoid things which cause me allergic type reactions and just put up with what I’m left with (in the grand scheme of my medical situation, this scalp issue is just an inconvenience, but I understand for healthy people it could be more prominant in their daily life).
Look at general allergy, over production of histamine on the scalp (and possibly mast cell issues if you also have other health issues. mast cell reactions don’t often look like typical allergic reactions. They can cause gastric issues, other organ issues, brain fog, headaches, fatigue, heart issues, and other autonomic problems).
In terms of the scalp issues, try taking an antihistamine when you scalp gets itchy and avoid shampoo for dandruff, dry scalp etc and look for a gentle shampoo which contains Zinc Pyrithione, which reduces histamin in the scalp. Baby shampoo is a big trigger for my scalp so be aware one solution for one person may not be the answer for you. Cleversoap is a company i use and its the only product which offers me any relief. Make a note of what you eat, drink or do before the itching and grainy stuff flares up and see if there are triggers which you can start to avoid to help reduce the issue.
Its easy to find something which reduces the problem or makes it go away when its an immune/allergy problem but its keeping it at bay thats the diffculty. Its probably unlikely you’ll be allergic to a specific thing if you’ve had this issue for a long time so focus on finding what helps reduce the allergic response at the current time. Also be aware that your immune system is affected by many things which is why some people find one thing works for them for a period while others find something else works for them. This is why you get so many different opinions on what is causing the same problem. I can say its my shampoo, or the water, but its my body’s reaction to these these things that is the issue. It took me a few years to stop chasing the cure and realise that my body was just adapting to the things that were working, thats what mast cells do. They are a pain in the rear when they don’t work correctly.
Its also important to remember that thus symptom on the scalp could be caused by different things for different people so while its an allergy system/immune system thing for me it doesnt mean its not a hormone thing or a product thing for someone else.
Find what works for you and if you find an answer thats great, you can now find ways to manage the problem
For me its keeping my allergy system calm and dealing with reactions when they happen. Now i know what causes the isssue for me I’ve found it less stressful having it because i’m not fretting trying to find a cure, i just use what works when it works and move onto something else when my immune system becomes used to the stuff I’m using.
To Meme052 <- they might be body lice, related to ticks, or ?scabies?
I've these all over the body and hate them. Might also be 'Queensland itch' that horses get from bats.
They bite.
You HAVE to remove them.
My remedy is a soapy shower then smothering my entire body with 900+ Manuka honey. I allow the honey to dry on the skin before dressing and I leave it on 24hours. (Is like a stiff hair gel). Then layer over with coconut oil and rub my skin to find and pick off the 'grains' one by one. For the scalp (I have long hair) use a knit comb, or use mayonaise for a lubricant. The idea is to drown the blighters ... and I'm wondering if they are related to ticks ?
Years ago I have these and saved some between clear tape and they grew larger into bugs bigger than a sesame seed. They are eggs and larvae. A good microscope is needed.
remember to fill your ear canal with garlic oil. They will soon exit and you can wipe them off with a cotton bud.
I cleared this once before and I'm unlucky to stay a night at a motel where a colony was in the bedding (with fleas, bird lice and mites, and book mites, wasps, mosquitoes and bed bugs!). And it emerged the water tank had blue green algae, so I got pimples too :-(
While trying to heal the skin try swim in the ocean every day, or make up a salt brine for after your warm shower. You can also internally flush by drinking a 1000ml 'salt water flush' to clear any intestinal parasites. you can read about salt flush online.
In this recent week I have taken worm tablets, and changed location. I have disinfected everything, including my car steering wheel and my shoes.
To clear my body of the 'crawling grits' I alternate morning noon and night between a 100% overnight soak in garlic, and then lavender oil, or coconut oil and salt/magnesium baths, and Dettol baths. Also oil between your toes and under fingernails, and in your nostrils. You can use honey on eyelids. If you feel a 'nip' anywhere locate the 'grain' and remove it (pick it off) immediately.
This method clears the problem within days. The honey is anti-bacterial and will literally for a dry crust that suffocates the 'grain mites'. The coconut with balance the pH of the skin, and also drown the mites.
No - they are not sweaty crystals - these are living micro-sized creatures ! They 'might' has been developed in a university and released, or a mutation?
I can still feel isolated bites over my body so I drown them in coconut oil and pick them off with oily fingers and I wash my hands with warm water and soap. Some I have to 'dig' out, and then they heal. Yes dig (ideally scrape) with a metal edge of nail scissors (etc). It will be a tiny spot especially after drowning with honey and/or oils. It won't heal and will multiply unless you get it out.
I change my clothes and sheets every day. I layer plastic over the mattress and spray the zone with eucalyptus oil and insect repellent. Soak washing (everything) in hot water and disinfectant, vacuum, and line dry in the sun and / or tumble with heat. Be careful not to reinfect clean washing.
Also remove all (hidden) soy from your diet and any creams or shampoo with soy, as soy makes your skin toxic and angry. The method above works for me.
I've these all over the body and hate them. Might also be 'Queensland itch' that horses get from bats.
They bite.
You HAVE to remove them.
My remedy is a soapy shower then smothering my entire body with 900+ Manuka honey. I allow the honey to dry on the skin before dressing and I leave it on 24hours. (Is like a stiff hair gel). Then layer over with coconut oil and rub my skin to find and pick off the 'grains' one by one. For the scalp (I have long hair) use a knit comb, or use mayonaise for a lubricant. The idea is to drown the blighters ... and I'm wondering if they are related to ticks ?
Years ago I have these and saved some between clear tape and they grew larger into bugs bigger than a sesame seed. They are eggs and larvae. A good microscope is needed.
remember to fill your ear canal with garlic oil. They will soon exit and you can wipe them off with a cotton bud.
I cleared this once before and I'm unlucky to stay a night at a motel where a colony was in the bedding (with fleas, bird lice and mites, and book mites, wasps, mosquitoes and bed bugs!). And it emerged the water tank had blue green algae, so I got pimples too :-(
While trying to heal the skin try swim in the ocean every day, or make up a salt brine for after your warm shower. You can also internally flush by drinking a 1000ml 'salt water flush' to clear any intestinal parasites. you can read about salt flush online.
In this recent week I have taken worm tablets, and changed location. I have disinfected everything, including my car steering wheel and my shoes.
To clear my body of the 'crawling grits' I alternate morning noon and night between a 100% overnight soak in garlic, and then lavender oil, or coconut oil and salt/magnesium baths, and Dettol baths. Also oil between your toes and under fingernails, and in your nostrils. You can use honey on eyelids. If you feel a 'nip' anywhere locate the 'grain' and remove it (pick it off) immediately.
This method clears the problem within days. The honey is anti-bacterial and will literally for a dry crust that suffocates the 'grain mites'. The coconut with balance the pH of the skin, and also drown the mites.
No - they are not sweaty crystals - these are living micro-sized creatures ! They 'might' has been developed in a university and released, or a mutation?
I can still feel isolated bites over my body so I drown them in coconut oil and pick them off with oily fingers and I wash my hands with warm water and soap. Some I have to 'dig' out, and then they heal. Yes dig (ideally scrape) with a metal edge of nail scissors (etc). It will be a tiny spot especially after drowning with honey and/or oils. It won't heal and will multiply unless you get it out.
I change my clothes and sheets every day. I layer plastic over the mattress and spray the zone with eucalyptus oil and insect repellent. Soak washing (everything) in hot water and disinfectant, vacuum, and line dry in the sun and / or tumble with heat. Be careful not to reinfect clean washing.
Also remove all (hidden) soy from your diet and any creams or shampoo with soy, as soy makes your skin toxic and angry. The method above works for me.
My scantly has salt
This sounds like the condition I'm healing from, which is dermatitis. Let me ask, what type of dandruff shampoo are you using? My dermatologist prescribed me the strongest type of Selsun Blue shampoo and a shampoo called Sebex that is compared to Sebulex. She also prescribed some drops that cure dermatitis that I rub into my scalp daily (for the life of me cannot remember the name of the drops, sorry!). I just got fed up with the condition and went to the dermatologist. Have you gone to a doctor? I know this is an older post, but I'm curious as to if you have received any relief.
It is a DHT problem. Go to your doctor and get your hormone levels checked. testosterone is the problem (men and women). You can treat this with patience and simple items. 1. Purchase a bottle of Shampoo with ketoconazole 1% in it (there is a good variety). 2. Purchase these essential oils: Pumpkin seed oil, Rosemary oil (both of these are important so, don't skip them). 3. Buy some aloe vera juice, apple cider vinegar with mother, and baking soda.
First wash hair using apple cider vinegar with mother and scrub scalp with the baking soda....
Rinse well
Wash hair with a bit of the shampoo with Ketoconazole
and let it sit on hair several minutes.
Rinse well and towel dry.
Apply a mixture (small amounts of each) of the essential oils and aloe.
Allow this essential oil mixture to sit on hair about 30 minutes.
Rinse out and towel dry.
This will be a daily situation for at least two weeks.
Taking Biotin and saw palmetto supplements will also speed along the healing.
First wash hair using apple cider vinegar with mother and scrub scalp with the baking soda....
Rinse well
Wash hair with a bit of the shampoo with Ketoconazole
and let it sit on hair several minutes.
Rinse well and towel dry.
Apply a mixture (small amounts of each) of the essential oils and aloe.
Allow this essential oil mixture to sit on hair about 30 minutes.
Rinse out and towel dry.
This will be a daily situation for at least two weeks.
Taking Biotin and saw palmetto supplements will also speed along the healing.
Classic scabies symptoms
1 Comments
All of you! As diligent ppl.. Cleaning and going on search of an answer! Doing all you can!!! Yes!? Well my last search engine.. My hair looks like a dog with
mange. Boom. My final answer. Sarcoptic scabi
mange. Boom. My final answer. Sarcoptic scabi
Scabies probably Norwegian
My back space button is broken.. I am undersgoing treatment right now. The most awful experience of my life. I thought I would search a few headlines I've searched for a year. 6 doctors one dermatologist. I've never known a soul to have scabies. I live in Colorado. I don't think they are a common issue in the high altitude. If you can I highly recommend treatment asap. It only gets way worse. So many ppl have asked this question all over the internet. For months to my disparage dismay disease. I've suffered. Seborric dermitis. Follow these instructions and I will feed the monsters.
Mmmmm this is a type I. I. Oh.
Bless you on this journey.
My back space button is broken.. I am undersgoing treatment right now. The most awful experience of my life. I thought I would search a few headlines I've searched for a year. 6 doctors one dermatologist. I've never known a soul to have scabies. I live in Colorado. I don't think they are a common issue in the high altitude. If you can I highly recommend treatment asap. It only gets way worse. So many ppl have asked this question all over the internet. For months to my disparage dismay disease. I've suffered. Seborric dermitis. Follow these instructions and I will feed the monsters.
Mmmmm this is a type I. I. Oh.
Bless you on this journey.
I don't know if this will help anyone else, but I think I have solved my grainy scalp issue. It's basically soap scum. I'm giving up shampoo. Baking soda and borax get my hair cleaner anyway.
"When you shower using hard water, a reaction occurs between the water and your shampoo. This reaction creates a substance known as soap scum, and it clings to your skin, hair, and scalp. This will build up over time, leading to an increase in calcium levels found on your scalp."
"When you shower using hard water, a reaction occurs between the water and your shampoo. This reaction creates a substance known as soap scum, and it clings to your skin, hair, and scalp. This will build up over time, leading to an increase in calcium levels found on your scalp."
1 Comments
Will try that also
Please Read........Several Dermatologists told me my scalp was fine. So why after my scalp hair grows back after shaving it does it feel grainy and stiff. The answer for me is......PILI MULTIGEMINI a rare genetic condition in which multiple hairs grow from one follicle and in my cas 50% of them. I figured this out myself after buying a $20 handheld microscope. This strange condition has only been affecting me for about a year now. This is why nothing helped, no special shampoo, no tree oils, not even shaving my head bald. The longer my hair gets the more crusty is feels when rubbing it. At least I now finally have the right answer and I am not crazy.
Had some similar thing happening, turns out it was just dead skin/keratin/oil and mineral deposits from washing my hair in hard water. If you have a well or live in an area with a lot of dissolved minerals in the water, you might just be clogging up the hair follicle. Get a water filter meant for hard water, use a chelating shampoo or start washing your hair with bottled water. Made a huge difference for me.
1 Comments
Will try it
If someone is still searching: This sounds like a problem I had. Try 50% denatured alcohol.
It's the only thing that work very well for about 3 - 5 Days. Alternatively Nivea Men Sensitive soap works for about a day but dries my scalp out. Skin antibiotics works reasonably well too but I would not suggest that one.
I have no idea what is causing it but it is terrible. My dermatologist says it is save to use the denatured alcohol.
I've lived with this terribly itchy scalp for years. When I scratch these tiny beads come forth, often attached to hair. They are hard when my scalp is dry and soft when my scalp is moisturized. I've tried everything. Every shampoo, no shampoo, creams, dandruff stuff etc. Since I used the alcohol even my acne got much better and the itchiness stops after a few minutes upon applying the alcohol. Please ask your doctor for your specific case and maybe try the Nivea soap first. It is widely available. It is the white blue one. Hope this helps somebody.
It's the only thing that work very well for about 3 - 5 Days. Alternatively Nivea Men Sensitive soap works for about a day but dries my scalp out. Skin antibiotics works reasonably well too but I would not suggest that one.
I have no idea what is causing it but it is terrible. My dermatologist says it is save to use the denatured alcohol.
I've lived with this terribly itchy scalp for years. When I scratch these tiny beads come forth, often attached to hair. They are hard when my scalp is dry and soft when my scalp is moisturized. I've tried everything. Every shampoo, no shampoo, creams, dandruff stuff etc. Since I used the alcohol even my acne got much better and the itchiness stops after a few minutes upon applying the alcohol. Please ask your doctor for your specific case and maybe try the Nivea soap first. It is widely available. It is the white blue one. Hope this helps somebody.
I have the same issue. I tried everything from selsun blue to meds for folliculitis to seborrheic dermatitis nothing seems to work. I have lost almost 50% of my hair and I am just 24. If someone can solve this issue it would be very helpful. Should I start taking anti hairfall medicines?
I've had the same experience. I'm just so happy to see I'm not alone. I will have my doctor check my estrogen. I am female and 40 . And my hair is thinning from all of the scratching . The salt like grains irritate my face as well.
Hi, I have been experiencing the same issue of grainy, itchy, greasy, thinning hair, and would like to share my solution. I agree with the person mentioning hormone imbalance... I've been dealing with that along with the hair issues at the same time so I believe treating internally is going to help, but for the external remedies this is what I've been doing:
Stopped using dry shampoo- causes buildup
Started using John Masters Organic Scalp Spearmint Shampoo
Homemade scalp exfoliant:
JOJOBA OIL
SEA SALT
ACTIVATED CHARCOAL
Mix the above 3 ingredients together, and gently massage into wet hair while in shower. It's messy so you want to be in the shower. Massage for a few minutes into scalp and rinse out as much as you can with warm water. Shampoo with the John Masters shampoo, follow with a sulphate free conditioner halfway up hair shaft. I like Alterna's line or an organic conditioner from John Masters. Although this is messy I like to even use the excess runoff of the exfoliant on my face/body. This is the most AMAZING my scalp has ever felt. I do this about once/week and my hair health has improved immensely. It's soft, fluffy, and my scalp feels sooooo clean. I don't feel the grains as much although you may feel some leftover salt or charcoal but guarantee it's not the grains we are all complaining about. These ingredients cleanse the scalp from possible fungus, buildup, and improve the health of the follicles. The exfoliating helps the scalp breathe which in turn will help the hair grow better. I've also been supplementing with Biosil, hylauronic acid, collagen, and vitamin d. I understand everyone's body will have individual needs so check with your healthcare professional before supplementing but these have been working for me. Please let me know if you try this and how it works for you... I'm curious to know other people's experiences with this.
Stopped using dry shampoo- causes buildup
Started using John Masters Organic Scalp Spearmint Shampoo
Homemade scalp exfoliant:
JOJOBA OIL
SEA SALT
ACTIVATED CHARCOAL
Mix the above 3 ingredients together, and gently massage into wet hair while in shower. It's messy so you want to be in the shower. Massage for a few minutes into scalp and rinse out as much as you can with warm water. Shampoo with the John Masters shampoo, follow with a sulphate free conditioner halfway up hair shaft. I like Alterna's line or an organic conditioner from John Masters. Although this is messy I like to even use the excess runoff of the exfoliant on my face/body. This is the most AMAZING my scalp has ever felt. I do this about once/week and my hair health has improved immensely. It's soft, fluffy, and my scalp feels sooooo clean. I don't feel the grains as much although you may feel some leftover salt or charcoal but guarantee it's not the grains we are all complaining about. These ingredients cleanse the scalp from possible fungus, buildup, and improve the health of the follicles. The exfoliating helps the scalp breathe which in turn will help the hair grow better. I've also been supplementing with Biosil, hylauronic acid, collagen, and vitamin d. I understand everyone's body will have individual needs so check with your healthcare professional before supplementing but these have been working for me. Please let me know if you try this and how it works for you... I'm curious to know other people's experiences with this.
Stop using hair oil. you'll see the result in one week .
Well, I FOUND MY ANSWER, and I wanted to come back and post about it, because I hope this helps you…
Last August 2016 I started noticing hundreds of tiny, sand-like grains on my scalp. You couldn’t see them just looking at me, but I could feel them with my fingertips and if I’d rub my scalp slightly I would loosen these grains and be able to “grab” them under my fingernail. I also noticed that I was losing more hair than normal in the shower. And my hair was greasier and more limp than normal. I knew something was up and started searching around for an answer. The best I could find was this thread of you all who seem to be experiencing the same maddening thing.
MY STORY:
I’m going to start with a little background on me so you understand the whole thing – but stick with me because I’ll tie this back into how I think this affects everyone – men and women.
I don’t make estrogen on my own, and I never have (I’m female, currently 31 years old). I have a condition called pan-hypopituitarism, where my pituitary gland is messed up and my body doesn’t naturally make a few different hormones - estrogen being one of them. I’ve been on birth control pills for estrogen replacement ever since I was in the 7th grade (so that I would go through puberty, etc.) I’ve always had great, thick hair and no scalp-grain problem to speak of.
Now, fast forward to last August, when my husband and I are ready to try to conceive, and, under the advice of an infertility doctor, I went off the birth control to see if my body would naturally have a period (b/c this hadn’t been tested in me at all since 7th grade.) No period came… which meant my body wasn’t producing any estrogen on its own whatsoever. The only reaction my body did have was that I started experiencing menopause-like symptoms: deflated breast tissue, hot flashes, swollen and achy joints, THINNING HAIR, and SAND-LIKE GRAINS ON MY SCALP. I was miserable. But because I had also had a few life changes going on at the same time (buying our first home, moving, stressful job) I didn’t at first suspect that the thinning hair and grainy-sand on scalp (and even swollen and achy joints) were tied to my lack of estrogen the same way the hot flashes and deflated breast tissue obviously were. I assumed the thinning hair and grains were either stress-induced or environment-related and that the joint pain was from a new mattress and workout routine.
After a month of being off the birth control (estrogen replacement) I was so miserable that I decided I couldn’t stand the symptoms any longer. So, I got back on it. And I started feeling better. Also, I noticed that my hair wasn’t falling out like crazy in the shower or when I brushed it. And the sand-like grains on my scalp? They’re totally gone. Now, as I’m typing this in June 2017, I can tell you that my hair has grown back in and I’m back to my normal, non-greasy, thick hair.
And here’s more proof for me that it was the lack of estrogen: now, each time my birth control pill pack ends and I have the 4 days without estrogen, I notice a little more hair falling out in the shower than normal and I can usually feel one or two grains when running my fingers along my scalp. But as soon as I start a new pill pack, I’m back to normal.
GET HELP:
Without a doubt, I know this is tied to hormone imbalance. I would suggest you talk with your doctor about testing your levels of estrogen or testosterone and see where those levels are compared to normal ranges. For me, I am at a complete 0 when it comes to producing estrogen. You may just need a little supplementation… or a lot. Who knows? But find out and get to feeling better!
Last August 2016 I started noticing hundreds of tiny, sand-like grains on my scalp. You couldn’t see them just looking at me, but I could feel them with my fingertips and if I’d rub my scalp slightly I would loosen these grains and be able to “grab” them under my fingernail. I also noticed that I was losing more hair than normal in the shower. And my hair was greasier and more limp than normal. I knew something was up and started searching around for an answer. The best I could find was this thread of you all who seem to be experiencing the same maddening thing.
MY STORY:
I’m going to start with a little background on me so you understand the whole thing – but stick with me because I’ll tie this back into how I think this affects everyone – men and women.
I don’t make estrogen on my own, and I never have (I’m female, currently 31 years old). I have a condition called pan-hypopituitarism, where my pituitary gland is messed up and my body doesn’t naturally make a few different hormones - estrogen being one of them. I’ve been on birth control pills for estrogen replacement ever since I was in the 7th grade (so that I would go through puberty, etc.) I’ve always had great, thick hair and no scalp-grain problem to speak of.
Now, fast forward to last August, when my husband and I are ready to try to conceive, and, under the advice of an infertility doctor, I went off the birth control to see if my body would naturally have a period (b/c this hadn’t been tested in me at all since 7th grade.) No period came… which meant my body wasn’t producing any estrogen on its own whatsoever. The only reaction my body did have was that I started experiencing menopause-like symptoms: deflated breast tissue, hot flashes, swollen and achy joints, THINNING HAIR, and SAND-LIKE GRAINS ON MY SCALP. I was miserable. But because I had also had a few life changes going on at the same time (buying our first home, moving, stressful job) I didn’t at first suspect that the thinning hair and grainy-sand on scalp (and even swollen and achy joints) were tied to my lack of estrogen the same way the hot flashes and deflated breast tissue obviously were. I assumed the thinning hair and grains were either stress-induced or environment-related and that the joint pain was from a new mattress and workout routine.
After a month of being off the birth control (estrogen replacement) I was so miserable that I decided I couldn’t stand the symptoms any longer. So, I got back on it. And I started feeling better. Also, I noticed that my hair wasn’t falling out like crazy in the shower or when I brushed it. And the sand-like grains on my scalp? They’re totally gone. Now, as I’m typing this in June 2017, I can tell you that my hair has grown back in and I’m back to my normal, non-greasy, thick hair.
And here’s more proof for me that it was the lack of estrogen: now, each time my birth control pill pack ends and I have the 4 days without estrogen, I notice a little more hair falling out in the shower than normal and I can usually feel one or two grains when running my fingers along my scalp. But as soon as I start a new pill pack, I’m back to normal.
GET HELP:
Without a doubt, I know this is tied to hormone imbalance. I would suggest you talk with your doctor about testing your levels of estrogen or testosterone and see where those levels are compared to normal ranges. For me, I am at a complete 0 when it comes to producing estrogen. You may just need a little supplementation… or a lot. Who knows? But find out and get to feeling better!
Guys, I have this too! And yes, hard, feels just like grains of sugar, sand or salt when I massage my scalp coming from the hair follicles. It's been such a mystery as in the only one in our family including my husband ever to have it (not mites), not sebaceous dermatitis (no flakes AT ALL), and it only itches when I start messing with my scalp. My scalp is also very oily if I touch it at all and I really think now it is CRYSTALIZED SEBUM (google it), from an over production of sebum on my scalp. Tar shampoos are the only thing to help, if it's the tar or lack of ingredients from "normal" shampoos, I don't know. Little facts on me: 47, diabetic type 2, hashimotoes thyroiditis, female. I can massage them out and take pictures of them with a high def camera I have and they look just like the plug from a pimple, only they are not soft or squishable at all - they are hard: i.e. CRYSTALIZED. I'm pretty sure this is what I have, and something I have to live with as my scalp is gonna just overproduce oil and sebum, but the tar shamooo and washing 3x a week helps. I also use dry shampoo sometimes if I don't have time to shampoo and highly recommend it as it's a quick fix and works well for me. I have a bald spot and thinning hair, which can be the hashimotos or the plugging of the follicles by the crystals, so lucky me. I found a guy who has this and uses a blackhead extractor tool to push on the follicle and the crystals pop out!
Has anyone noticed hair loss as well with this problem. I have this exact problem for years and have been using ACV it helps, but I also notice thinning of my hair. I am 32
1 Comments
I have the same with hair loss as well. It's really stressful :/
I have had this problem for years till my wife suggested that I stop washing my hair with soap, that was 3 months ago and after the first time I used baking soda (I have a small plastic cup that I put one tablespoon in and mix with my finger) cured.
Before my hair was an oil pit and I had to wash every day. I tried everything but nothing ever worked till now.
I now shower 3 times a week, my scalp itch has been reduced 95% and the sand has gone.
Before my hair was an oil pit and I had to wash every day. I tried everything but nothing ever worked till now.
I now shower 3 times a week, my scalp itch has been reduced 95% and the sand has gone.
I came to this site a few months ago looking for some help in getting rid of this problem. After going to a dermatologist a few times and paying a ton of money for slaves and lotions that didn't help at all. I ran across a post from some guy who suggested using Apple Cider Vinegar and Nizoral A, D Anti, Dandruff Shampoo. Well I used them both with every shower. But the Apple Cider Vinegar was a pain in the butt. If you shave before using it, your face is on fire after using it. Even if I used it before I shaved, if I had a cut or opened pimple it would burn like hell. So I stopped using the Apple Cider Vinegar but continued using the shampoo, and I can tell you that it help tremendously. Now when I run my hand over my head maybe I will feel one or two of these granules if that. But no where near as bad as it was before. It has gotten to now where I don't have to use the shampoo every time I take a shower, because this shampoo has really helped me get rid of this stuff. Now I might use the shampoo a couple of times a week. And when I don't use it, I use Johnson's Baby Shampoo. I don't know if this will help everyone, but it sure has worked for myself. Give it a try, what do you have to lose? It is a hell of a lot cheaper than going back to the Dr. and paying all that dough for stuff that doesn't help. You can get the Nizoral A, D Anti, Dandruff Shampoo on Amazon cheaper than in a drug store. Good Luck I hope this helps someone else out.
I have the same problem.
I had this exact same thing and it turned out my thyroid was REALLY out of whack. Get tested for a thyroid condition
1 Comments
I have a thyroid condition but never in my dreams thought it could be relate. I'll keep researching but do you know how what causes it what aspect of my thyroid is it related/ why? I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism when I was 12 and only now having this problem in my late thirties.
I get this from using any shampoo with sodium laurel sulfate or it other derivatives in it.. It took me 20 something years to realize,that I'm allergic to SLS! This is why the Drs couldn't ever find out if I had eczema or psoriasis.. it was constant contact dermatitis from SLS being in like every liquid soap except bronners,and a few shampoos.. Make sure you watch out for the derivatives,though...
1 Comments
What did you do to get rid of this?
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