dry,itchy, and sore scalp

Hi, wondering if anyone has an answer for me.  I used to get dandruff on and off and I used head & shoulders or others like it and it worked fine.  This winter, however, my scalp has gotten extremly dry and itchy and flaky, and sore from all the scratching.  I tried a bunch of more heavy duty OTC shampoos for dandruff, but none worked.  I used an essential oils scalp massage and that worked for a bit.  Now it is out of control and driving me crazy.  One interesting note, at Christmas time I dyed my hair with one of those "intense" colour hair colourings.  It burned and tingled my scalp, but afterward my scalp problems were gone for about 4 weeks.  No itching, flaking or soreness.  I have no idea why, and i don't want to repeat that hair colour, just the results.  any suggestions?

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
From the symptoms this problem of dry itchy scalp can be due to dandruff or seborrheic dermatitis. 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. But if your hair is colored, don't use products with selenium sulfide or sulfur.

If the symptoms persist, then it would be best to get it confirmed from a dermatologist. Eat a healthy diet. You can also take vit B6 and vit A and E which are good for hair and skin.

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.

[LAR1977]

Thanks for the info!  I have tried some of the shampoos with salicylic acid or coal tar - all it did was make my scalp worse- sort of firery sore and super itchy.  that's why I think its dry scalp and not dandruff or seborrheic dermatitis - the symptoms just don't fit.  my hair and scalp are dry, not greasy - even if i go 3 days between shampoos my hair is not greasy.  the flakes are small and white and not oily.  
I've been unable to get an appointment with the dermatologist yet - goodness knows how many months that is going to take.  but I will try the vitamins.
L

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
Dandruff can cause either an overly dry scalp with itchy white flakes or it can manifest as an oily scalp with scales. It can be due to internal or external causes. Internal causes include hormonal imbalance, poor health, poor hygiene, allergic hypersensitivity, lack of rest, emotional stress, excessive consumption of sugar, fat or starch and heredity predisposition.

External causes include excessive use of hair sprays and gels, improper use of hair-coloring products, cold weather and dry indoor heating, infrequent shampooing of the hair or inadequate rinsing of the scalp and hair.

I suggest you to get an examination done from a dermatologist.

I hope it helps. Take care and regards.