redness on scalp

[RAG]

After receiving a "lousy" haircut I noticed a deep red mark and some pimples behind my ear.  The redness and some pimples extend to the middle part behind my head and down to the hair line in back of my head.  Some spots seem to be sore and small traces of blood every now and then.  I must also tell you that I have a very bad habit of really scratching in those areas.  When I shampoo at times those areas seem to sting.  For all I know this might've been there for years. For now I've been putting a triple paste antibiotic on it and using Selsum blue. I also have a dandruff problem.  What can this be? Am I treating it properly?  Should I use another type of oitment or shampoo?

[Rsha_rsha]

Hi,
i'm a pregnant women, i'm at my 28 week, i noticed about 3 weeks ago that my rest at both of my hand developed a round kind of red spot. This spot is only on top of my hand rest, it's ithchy and the skin is kind of rough! not smooth as other part of the hand. it looks like the spot is burned. i went to the doctor she gave me "Elocon" cream. i used it only twice.. and the symptoms disapear... but i have red about the "Elocon" on the web sites that it might have side effects on the baby since it will be on the blood stream !! i'm scared now that my baby could be affected!! please tell me what is going on? is the doctor was right or wrong ? and what if i developed side effect on my baby?

Rasha

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

1) Twice a week use a gentle dandruff shampoo containing zinc or ketoconazole (ask your pharmacist.)
2) Any other time you shampoo, use a gentle, nonmedicated one (herbal, baby.
3) Pay no attention to stinging, which is part of healing.
4) Apply over-the-counter 1% hydrocortisone cream to the red areas.
5)  Do not, repeat do not, pick or scratch.  If it's a habit, stop yourself.  If it itches, apply hydrocortione as needed as often as you like.
6)  If all this doesn't help in 2 weeks, please see a skin doctor.  But perhpas you won't need to.

Best.

Dr. Rockoff