tiny bumps

[MannyZ4]

what are the tiny red bumps that itch in the scalp. they are less than half the size of a pin head.

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
These small bumps can be due to folliculitis, perifolliculitis scalp or even lice. Perifolliculitis is characterised by small, very itchy pustules within the scalp, often most troublesome on the frontal hairline. The scalp should be washed with a mild normal shampoo as often as desired. Antidandruff shampoos containing antifungal agents such as ketoconazole or ciclopirox are sometimes helpful. Apart from that you need topical and oral antibiotics, antihistamines, oral steroids and topical tretinoin.

My sincere advice is to get it examined from a dermatologist. 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.

[Caryopteris]

That was the first sign I have Celiac disease.  

To treat the problem immediately, avoid scratching because it scars the scalp and hair won't grow.  Try Nizoral shampoo to get the skin unclogged and any scales off.  Get tested for Celiac disease.  You can use any of these to avoid scratching:  hydrocortizone 1% cream (I hate the liquid "lotions" that the doctors love), Benadryl gel (very cooling) or even aloe vera gel.  Just don't scratch.  Stop eating sugary foods and drinks.  When not using the Nizoral shampoo, use Neutrogena shampoo like this, or the green color if your scalp is oily:  

http://www.drugstore.com/neutrogena-clean-shampoo-replenishing/qxp38927?catid=183491

I find this at CVS drug stores usually.  Get the conditioner too if you need conditioner, and only use it on the ends - keep all conditioner off your scalp.  Neutrogena has no gluten and is very calming to inflamed scalps.

As far as what to call the problem, I have Celiac disease, but didn't know that for the first 20 years.  I saw many unhelpful dermatologists, who wouldn't biopsy it or anything, and only suggested topical things.  Avoiding gluten is key for me, but I had to get by with topicals for years because dermatologists and other docs were too ignorant or lazy to help me.  They called it possibly psoriasis or seborrheic dermatitis, but it might have been dermatitis herpetiformis, which goes with Celiac disease.  My scalp still isn't normal, so you do not want to scratch and you want to find out if gluten or other problem foods are the cause, and also rule out any other problems with your digestive tract if they convince you you don't have Celiac disease.  Problems with digestion come out in your skin.