Very Itchy scalp - so itchy i cant sleep!!

[mrjimmyc]

Dear Doctor,
I hope you can help, i have tried to find answers for over 7 years, both with GP's and also more recently with a dermatologist, still without any answers. I have a very concerning issue with my scalp, across my hairline, crown and generally across the top of my scalp i suffer from itching, often so bad i cant sleep and it affects my concentration at work. I have small white grain like bits forming on my scalp. These sand like bits are sometimes loose on my scalp but also attached to my scalp. When my hair comes out, which has become more apparent since my condition has worsened over the past 6 months and is now also a major concern,  there is a build up of white substance on the follicle. My hair also becomes very greasy very quickly, within 24 hours of washing it, my hair becomes greasy and within 48 hours it looks disgusting. I also suffer from very tender small spots within my scalp, which have a yellowish appearance. These are not that common, around 3 - 4 a week.

Additional Info:
I am a male 29 years old, living a healthy lifestyle, good diet and also exercise regularly.
I do get dry skin very easily, i moisturise all the time.
I researched into this condition and i believe it’s a fungal condition.... but Nizorel doesnt seem to be helping to clear the condition.

Please help!!

[Vanessa Lacuesta]

Hi.

The most likely differential for this is a severe case of seborrheic dermatitis. The cause for seborrheic dermatitis is yet unknown and there is no definite form of medical therapy as this condition may recur. Others have associated yeast infections with it. While some have implicated stress and environmental factors. You may seek second opinion for your condition.

Does anyone in the family also have a similar condition?

Do you have similar greasy white scales over the chest or other parts of the body?

[mrjimmyc]

Thank-you for your response and advice.

In reply to your questions, I am the only one in my family which has this and I believe no one has ever had similar symptoms. I don’t get greasy skin anywhere else over my body; in fact my skin is normally quite dry. My scalp is also normally very dry it’s just my hair which seems to become greasy within about 24 hours of being washed. I also get tiny yellowish spots actually in my hair follicle. When my hair comes out I notice on the end of the hair shaft, think it’s called the bulb, there is a build up of white substance; could this substance be a bacterial build up? Which causes the itching? Also would this have any relation to excess sebum production, ultimately also causing my greasy hair?

I appreciate your time and help.
Thank-you.      

[Vanessa Lacuesta]

Hi.

I think this white substance may be sebum. I had mentioned of seborrheic dermatitis in my previous post. I think this is a likely differential. An overlying fungal infection may be present. However, for some, a fungal infection will present with redness and well demarcated plaque like lesions on the scalp which is not present in your case.

There is no definite medical treatment for seborrheic dermatitis. Frequent and vigorous shampooing with medicated shampoos is the mainstay of therapy.

Is there any associated hair loss?

[jenneedshelp]

I suffer from the same exact condition. Grainy and itchy scalp. When my hair falls out there is also a white grain at the follicle. I also have hair loss.
I do not thin it is seborrheic dermatitis- I have tried medicated shampoos for this; and  they did not help.

Has anyone figured out what this condition is?

[Vanessa Lacuesta]

Hi

At this point, a likely differential for this type of conditions are seborrheic dermatitis and fungal infections. The white grain may be sebum secondary to the overactive sebaceous glands. This may be the closest differential we can have. Seborrheic dermatitis is a chronic disease condition and does not necessarily respond to medications. There is in fact no definite medication for seborrheic dermatitis. Stress, weather and yeast infections have been associated with this. You may discuss this with a dermatologist so your concerns may be addressed.

[ericaalice]

hi, i had the grainy like things on my scalp too... with terrible acne... you might want to look into something called the demodex mite... they live on the face/head... come out at night...and thrive in people that have weakened immune systems...(i was on antibiotics for months for lyme disease...it wreaked havoc on mine) it seems tea tree oil helps... my doctor seems to think i'm crazy... so i'm looking for a new one... I hope this helps...

[bbinjabr]

Hi,
I have the same problem for almost 15 years now with no luck whatsoever.. 2 doses of accutane did not help at all. all kinds of shampoos with no help. all kinds of antibiotics with no help. It may have to do with certain type of food.. it is the only possibility that we need to try out? it is said that dairy products might be one of the reasons.
You are not alone... Let's hope that someday we will find a solution..

[lykaru]

hi i'm having the same problem and it really bothers me. i cant sleep at night. i tried diffrent type of shampoos but it doesnt help.i'm hoping that someone out there will help us. god bless us!!