Scalp Condition - Grainy Sand/Sugar

[Meme052]

I found this website through a google for "sand on scalp", and I found a journal entry from someone here at http://www.medhelp.org/user_journals/show/12858/scalp-condition that I wanted to draw attention to on this forum.  Everyone on that journal suffers form the same issue I do.

For the past two years, I have what feel and appear to be like grains of sand on my scalp.  They seem to be "attached" to the base of the hair shafts, but when I massage my scalp gently with my fingertips, they come off.  My scalp has 100s of them.  If I scratch my head, the itching sensation is INTENSE, and I try never to scratch my scalp.  If I do give in, and scrape a few dozen of them off, I can get them out form under my fingernails (gross, I know), and they look like grains of sugar or sand.  They are hard like grains of sand.  You can not "squish" them.  

They are not lice...my husband is an RN, and he has looked at my scalp many times, and we are certain of this.  The dermatologists I have seen also tell me they are not lice, but seem to be unconcerned, and give me no suggestions of how to stop them or the itching, except to use dandruff shampoo - which does absolutely nothing.

You can see more details of exactly what all of us (over 70 posts at that link) are going through - very similar to exact same stories.  They are not flake-like at all.  Any suggestions would be appreciated, thanks in advance.  We are all looking for answers to this mystery, and would love to hear some new ideas.  So far, suggestions have been Morgellons disease, White piedra, Demodex folliculorum, and the one I lean towards: seborrheic dermatitis.  However, not being FLAKES seems to rule the last one out!?  Help?

[LittleRainstorms]

Had some similar thing happening, turns out it was just dead skin/keratin/oil and mineral deposits from washing my hair in hard water. If you have a well or live in an area with a lot of dissolved minerals in the water, you might just be clogging up the hair follicle. Get a water filter meant for hard water, use a chelating shampoo or start washing your hair with bottled water. Made a huge difference for me.

[Stormyhb45]

Will try it

[Explorer1]

If someone is still searching: This sounds like a problem I had. Try 50% denatured alcohol.
It's the only thing that work very well for about 3 - 5 Days. Alternatively Nivea Men Sensitive soap works for about a day but dries my scalp out. Skin antibiotics works reasonably well too but I would not suggest that one.
I have no idea what is causing it but it is terrible. My dermatologist says it is save to use the denatured alcohol.
I've lived with this terribly itchy scalp for years. When I scratch these tiny beads come forth, often attached to hair. They are hard when my scalp is dry and soft when my scalp is moisturized. I've tried everything. Every shampoo, no shampoo, creams, dandruff stuff etc. Since I used the alcohol even my acne got much better and the itchiness stops after a few minutes upon applying the alcohol. Please ask your doctor for your specific case and maybe try the Nivea soap first. It is widely available. It is the white blue one. Hope this helps somebody.

[AtLife85]

I have the same issue. I tried everything from selsun blue to meds for folliculitis to seborrheic dermatitis nothing seems to work. I have lost almost 50% of my hair and I am just 24. If someone can solve this issue it would be very helpful. Should I start taking anti hairfall medicines?

[Sojurn]

I've had the same experience.  I'm just so happy to see I'm not alone.  I will have my doctor check my estrogen.  I am female and 40 . And my hair is thinning from all of the scratching . The salt like grains irritate my face as well.

[Deezy14]

Hi, I have been experiencing the same issue of grainy, itchy, greasy, thinning hair, and would like to share my solution. I agree with the person mentioning hormone imbalance... I've been dealing with that along with the hair issues at the same time so I believe treating internally is going to help, but for the external remedies this is what I've been doing:

Stopped using dry shampoo- causes buildup
Started using John Masters Organic Scalp Spearmint Shampoo
Homemade scalp exfoliant:
JOJOBA OIL
SEA SALT
ACTIVATED CHARCOAL

Mix the above 3 ingredients together, and gently massage into wet hair while in shower. It's messy so you want to be in the shower. Massage for a few minutes into scalp and rinse out as much as you can with warm water. Shampoo with the John Masters shampoo, follow with a sulphate free conditioner halfway up hair shaft. I like Alterna's line or an organic conditioner from John Masters. Although this is messy I like to even use the excess runoff of the exfoliant on my face/body. This is the most AMAZING my scalp has ever felt. I do this about once/week and my hair health has improved immensely. It's soft, fluffy, and my scalp feels sooooo clean. I don't feel the grains as much although you may feel some leftover salt or charcoal but guarantee it's not the grains we are all complaining about. These ingredients cleanse the scalp from possible fungus, buildup, and improve the health of the follicles. The exfoliating helps the scalp breathe which in turn will help the hair grow better. I've also been supplementing with Biosil, hylauronic acid, collagen, and vitamin d. I understand everyone's body will have individual needs so check with your healthcare professional before supplementing but these have been working for me.  Please let me know if you try this and how it works for you... I'm curious to know other people's experiences with this.

[inzmam]

Stop using hair oil. you'll see the result in one week .