What is wrong with my scalp?

[Fairyman]

Hey forum - I've loved reading through this forum!

I used to have my hair fairly long, recently I have completely shaved my head (:D). I have done this 3 times now. It is actually quite addictive. I hope to grow it long once again however.

Anyway, so I have suffered from an itchy scalp (i.e. dandruff) for years now. I have just managed the situation and never really tackled it fully. I always remember my scalp being itchy, particularly in the summer. So when I did get my head shaved the barber said it looked 'red in patches'. I have had a few people have a look, some have described it as a rash, someone said it looks like psoriasis. I have taken photos myself and was quite surprised with how many 'faded spots' I have. I do not have this on any other area of my body, I do not have eczema or particularly dry skin. My doctor has said my pores are clogged and that this leads to an overproduction of sebum, and this causes dandruff i.e. its a vicious circle.

I thought you guys might be able to shed more light on the issue. Please see photos below.

https://i.imgur.com/uVexy2F.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/CcSVevk.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/ADenYUx.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/wKzeF8A.jpg


Any advice would be very much appreciated!

[Ylva]

Could it be seborrheic dermatitis? I'm no expert, just throwing it out there.

[Fairyman]

Could it be seborrheic dermatitis? I'm no expert, just throwing it out there.

I've just looked that up.

Looks plausible.

My doctor has given me antibiotics and wants me to finish a course before I can be referred to a dermatologist.

[Begemot]

Hopefully a dermatologist can give you the right diagnosis once you meet one. SD is really common, so that might be it but it's hard to say from pics and your description. I started a scalp care thread here recently, there's not many pages yet there but consider reading it through to see if there's anything useful for you :)

https://forums.longhaircommunity.com/showthread.php?t=149083

[lapushka]

It could be "anything". Yes, SD is plausible, but so are so many other things. I'd leave it up to the dermatologist. It's not for nothing that he's been given ABs!

Get back to us when you have a diagnosis. When are you going to the dermatologist? :)

Welcome to the forum, BTW.

At some point, I'd stop shaving the head if you want to grow long hair. ;) :p

[Fairyman]

Hopefully a dermatologist can give you the right diagnosis once you meet one. SD is really common, so that might be it but it's hard to say from pics and your description. I started a scalp care thread here recently, there's not many pages yet there but consider reading it through to see if there's anything useful for you :)

https://forums.longhaircommunity.com/showthread.php?t=149083

Oh thanks, I will have a look!

[Fairyman]

It could be "anything". Yes, SD is plausible, but so are so many other things. I'd leave it up to the dermatologist. It's not for nothing that he's been given ABs!

Get back to us when you have a diagnosis. When are you going to the dermatologist? :)

Welcome to the forum, BTW.

At some point, I'd stop shaving the head if you want to grow long hair. ;) :p

Yeah, you're right. I am due to see the dermatologist in over a month.

The doctor wanted me to take a course of antibiotics before I see the dermatologist to hopefully save time.

And yep, I guess I have a month where I can shave to my hearts content! Ideally when I see the dermatologist I would want him/her to see my bare scalp for a better diagnosis.

Thanks for the welcome! :)

[lapushka]

Yeah, you're right. I am due to see the dermatologist in over a month.

The doctor wanted me to take a course of antibiotics before I see the dermatologist to hopefully save time.

And yep, I guess I have a month where I can shave to my hearts content! Ideally when I see the dermatologist I would want him/her to see my bare scalp for a better diagnosis.

Thanks for the welcome! :)

Trust me they know their stuff, and shaving is absolutely not necessary! :)