I've also been suffering from exactly the same issue for the past 15 years and no one knows what to do with me. My life is a living hell. Do you have any update to share?
I myself been suffering with this for 10 months not sure what it is all of the exact same symptoms. Scheduling a doctors appointment Monday, I started on the home remedy Sunday which is Vinegar and water mix, yes it sting but felt good afterwards
Hi beegeelady. Have you found a solution to this condition? I have been struggling with the exact same thing and I feel a bit hopeless to be honest.
Looking forward to your response.
I just realized how old this post was =\
Hopefully you found some resolution.
Have you looked into Demodex Mites? I am a chronic head scratcher/picker and have looked up causes and solutions for quite some time now. I believe it to be a combination of things. Either way, in my research I have read countless forums on scalp issues. Many people have mentioned Apple Cider Vinegar as a remedy for unbalance scalps and pH. People have also mentioned Demodex. These parasites live in our hair follicles, normally without an issue. However, some people may have an over abundance, or have an allergy to them caused by the over abundance. It is worth it to mention to your Derm. and possibly test a sample of hair from one of the irritated areas. The follicle would need to be viewed under a high powered microscope to see the Demodex, and judging by all you've written, I'd say its worth a shot! Hope I helped! Good luck!
Hi,
There may be an underlying bacterial infection here as the condition does respond to the antibiotics. However, scalp conditions are those that may not be readily treated. Was a fungal infection established?
A microscopic evaluation of skin scrapings using potassium hydroxide may establish a fungal infection which may not respond to antibiotics. A dermatitis may also be present which may all the more delay the healing process.
At this point, several differentials may be given your case, but skin conditions such as this may not be effectively treated especially if an underlying chronic inflammatory cause is present.
Thank you for your response, I do have hair loss when the follicles are infected but it goes away as soon as I start talking the Bactrim. The hair seems to mostly grow back but not 100%. I have had it cultured and it was gram negative. I do not seem to have a scaly plaque or even the usual dandruff associated with seborrea. The hair loss is not localized but just an all over shedding. The swelling and pimples feel like they are large but I cannot see them as they are on the crown and back of my head. Even the ones I get to the side down to the back of my ears are hard for me to get a look at. Both the dermatologist and my regular doctor say they are not big like the faruncle or carbuncle you mention. They are small-just hurt and feel big to me. Sometimes I scratch before I catch myself and this seems to start them draining and then where I have scratched they start to dry and heal and the pain is relieved on that spot. I do n ot pull hairs out as I have read some people do. I try very hard not to disturb them. The dermatologist did put me on the nose cream Bactroban for a possible staph but it did not have any effect.
I have read on other sites that I do not seem to be alone with this condition. Others describe identical symptoms and years of problem with no real help from dermatologists. They seem to have tried tea shampoos, drugs of all kinds and home remedies all to no avail. Their complaint of soreness, pimples and swelling seem to correspond with mine. Lab tests do not seem to give many answers. I realize there is probably not a cure out there but relief and control would be welcome. Does any of this sound familiar? I will try anything and will definitely get another lab test done.
Hi,
Differentials for this will be a bacterial infection ( furuncle or carbuncle), a fungal infection
( tinea capitis), and discoid lupus erythematosus.
Furuncle is a common condition affecting the skin follicles. "Furuncles are generally caused by Staphylococcus aureus, but they may be caused by other bacteria or fungi. They may begin as a tender, red nodule but ultimately feel like a water-filled balloon. A furuncle may drain spontaneously, producing pus. More often the patient or someone else opens the furuncle."
Source:http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001474.htm
The other differentials mentioned , are associated with hair loss. Tinea capitis may be associated with a scaly plaque with a well defined border. They may be bright red,weeping and swollen. As for the discoid lupus, there is localized patterns of hair loss and the center of the lesions are slightly lighter. The hair loss is sharply localized. Are any of these applicable in your case?
I suggest that a culture of the discharge from the affected skin may be done to ascertain an underlying infectious cause. The culture will help guide treatment as it will determine the appropriate medications that an organism may be sensitive to.