Extreme Scalp Itching during Exertion, Exercise, Embaressment, or Blushing

[Darren The Aggie]

Hello doctors, I have an issue that I desperately need addressed

I have bouts of extreme itching on my scalp, parts of my neck, and the shoulders and upper back (When I first begin working out or exercising, when I exert such as times when I need to lift something heavy, or when I blush or become embarrassed). This is a very debilitating condition because the itching that occurs is extremely intense. At times, the itching gets so bad that I feel that I need to gauge my finger nails into my scalp or skin or that I need to pull my hair out

I am a 21 year old, healthy, Asian Male. I have allergies and I take Zyrtec and Singular to control them. I eat a normal diet, drink lots of water, and I try not to consume too many snack foods or greasy foods. I get regular exercise and about 6-8 hours of sleep nightly

I have gone to many doctors about this problem and none of them seem to be able to diagnose me. They tell me that they have seen patients that have had extreme itching but that none of those cases have been similar to mine where the itching is exclusively in my head, neck, shoulders, and upper back. I have been to an allergist and had an allergy test done. They told me I was very allergic to dust might feces and mildly allergic to a type of grass

Please, I really desperately want to stop this condition. If anybody could help diagnose me so that I could find some way to treat this condition and find relief, I would be eternally grateful

Thank you

[chandubandhu]

A related discussion, hey is there any cure for urticaria can someone help? was started.

[Itchy503]

A related discussion, Me too!! was started.

[TessLea]

Checked the spelling... it's - Urticaria.

[TessLea]

I have been diagnosed with something called Urtacaria, it is an exercise induced rash that is absolutely horrible.  I have danced and exercised all my life, I spend 2 hours a day in the gym m-f.  This problem began last February and it took 3 months of testing before diagnosis.  

It is a pain, if I eat anything before exercise or my core temp raises too quickly, the rash will break out all over me and drive me nuts.  10mg of lortadine one hour before exercise has helped the zyrtec makes me tired.  You will need to visit a sports medicine doctor for this problem, they can diagnose it better although my family doc figured it out first, great guy understanding my gym rat ways.  He knows for me to be happy I have to be exercising.  I did have to take time off from training and am now working hard to take off 16 extra pounds to get back to my running weight.  I had a breakout yesterday after my workout but I will not stop training.  I am now not only allergic to everything else, now I am allergic to exercise!  

Look it up online or ask your doctor about it, and Good luck.

[cursedtoo]

I have the same problem guys: seb. dermatitis of the sclap which has traveled to my forehead, eyebrows , inside one ear and lower chest. The dr was right when he said it was a fungus (it may actually be yeast, not 100% though). There is no cure for seborrheic dermatitis. There are many different shampoos, both over the counter and presription, and creams you can use, Nizoral, T-sal, T-gel, etc.. Just keep trying different ones till you find one that works best. Sometimes its better to use a shampoo for 3 weeks then a different one for 3 weeks then switch back. It prolongs the effectiveness. Because its a fungus, it will spread if allowed. Wash your hair first when showering, then use a salicylic acid body wash afterwards. Dry your hair last with your towel or use a different one and don't reuse them until washed well! Be careful not to scratch your scalp and then touch other areas. Wash your pillow cases often. Fluocininide is good cream to use on the non-scalp rash areas. Its too greasy to use on in your hair. Good Luck!

[Bent Axel]

I am a 25 year old male (caucasian) living in Scandinavia, and I have exactly the same symptoms as Darren the Aggie describes. My symptoms are also triggered by Exertion, Exercise, Embaressment, and Blushing. I have had the symptoms for six years, but the condition has become significantly worse during the last three years.

In addition to the scalp and neck I also experience itching on the upper and lower chest and in the groin. Sometimes, but not always, I experience red rashes in the itching areas  which disappears again after say 15 minutes.

I have seen three different dermatologists. One told me that my condition could be due to a fungal infection and diagnosed me with seborrheic dermatitis. This dermatologist told me I had dandruff and prescribed anti-fungal shampoo to me. This shampoo has significantly reduced the amount of dandruff in my hair, but it has not removed the itching.

The same dermatologist also prescribed a steroid cream  which I applied to my scalp. This is the only medication I have tried, which has actually helped me in reducing the itching triggered by body heat. While using this medication (which is called Elocom), the itching in my scalp triggered by body heat almost disappeared completely. However, the dermatologist has told me not to continue the use of these steroids, as they can have serious long term side effects, and my problems has returned again. For one week I have been on a medication called itraconazole but I have not noticed any improvement yet.

I have recently noticing a large number of small, red dots at my lower chest and groin area, which gets itchy when my body temperature rises.

One more thing: During the last year, my scalp has begun to be quite itchy also when I am not engaging in any of the activities (Exertion, Exercise, Embaressment, or Blushing) which used to trigger the itching. This itch is much less intense that the itching triggered by body heat, but is still extremely discomforting, since it's almost always present. The steroid cream did not help in remocing this itching.

All in all, these symptoms are severly affecting my everyday life, I and would be very grateful if anybody could help me in any way.

Thank you

[National Jewish]

It is unlikely that inhalant allergy has anything to do with this problem.  The best choice is to see a dermatologist and determine if there are other contact allergy causes or other skin conditions that might be the culprit.

[taitouwah]

hey , i am sorry , the Shampoo contain Tar, not Coal.

[taitouwah]

hey brother i suffer exactly the same thing too. I am also an asian staying in malaysia. I also live a healthy life but i suffer the same problem too.

For me i feel the itch in the scalp when i exert during sports, eat spicy food , one day never wash hair , or if i swim too long in the swimming pool, or exposed to sunlight and if i sweat a lot .  

I tried to used a shampoo (i forget it name but it contain Coal ) it helps a lot , but it is expensive then i never used it for long, now my itchiness is back.U can try put hair oil. I last time use olive oil apply it on my scalp and it helps the itchiness and scalp problem.  
I now use head and shoulder shampoo but it does not cure the scalp problem.

Besides the itchiness i also have a lot of dandruff too.

Have any new information do share with me ya. Thanks. I looking for solution too.