VERY DRY SCALP & FOREHEAD

I just recently developed a very dry scalp.  But the same dryness has started to effect my left side of my forehead, what I mean by this is, the same scale seems to be on the left side of my forehead & it has gotten worse.  On the right side of my forehead I have NOW developed what seems to be warts which have gone into my left side of my scalp also.  I have used a very good & expensive moisturizer for over 20 years & have NEVER had anything like this.  After I wash my face & scrub my forehead to attempt to get the scales off the side of my forehead, my forehead becomes extremely red, something like a sun burn would look like & is sensitive then to the touch, like a burn would be. I do not wash my hair daily (every other day) & I use an excellent shampoo & conditioner, I do moisturize my face daily but within an hour of putting make up on I can see the scales on my forehead, it is still very red  & very senstitive, even with make up on & my scalp is just horrible.  I really am lost on this, the warts on my right side of my forehead & scalp seem to be getting bigger daily.  I am 55 years old.

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
The flakiness of the scalp is most likely due to seborrheic dermatitis and the growths on your scalp are due to seborrheic keratosis. Topical antifungals and mild steroids are the usual treatment and combination of the two can be used to treat stubborn patches. Oral antifungal drugs and immunomodulators such as tacrolimus and pimecrolimus are used in very severe cases.

Seborrheic keratosis are common benign growths of unknown cause seen in adults due to a thickening of an area of the top skin layer. They resemble warts and for the confirmation of diagnosis I would suggest you to get it evaluated 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 dermatologist. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.