Scalp Condition - Grainy Sand/Sugar

[Meme052]

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?

[Hjp47]

Classic scabies symptoms

[Hjp47]

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

[Hjp47]

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.

[1CrazyGal]

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."  

[Stormyhb45]

Will try that also

[Stellaevil]

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.

[LittleRainstorms]

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.

[Stormyhb45]

Will try it

[Explorer1]

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.