Thank you and asking for advice on seborrheic dermatitis

[whitesnake]

Thank you from a Newbie & seborrheic dermatitis of scalp
A warm hello to everyone here I have been haunting this forum for a year, on and off, and this is my first new post...

First of all I want to thank everyone for providing me with such a splendid read in one forum on my all time passion-all hair related issues henna, e.o.'s and so much more.. And then the beautiful horn, resin, and wooden combs of which I had no earlier knowledge, and which have made a big big difference to my hair . What's more this forum de-stressed me so much when I was sick trying to crack my GRE maths. And, the gross word list

Thank you so much Guys !!! You all are doing a great job and that comes from my heart!!

I wanted to start a discussion on seborrheic dermatitis of scalp. Have been reading a lot on that lately. More so since I have just been diagnosed by the dermatologist with it. I have been prescribed strong medicated shampoos. Has anyone on the forum experienced it, and what has really worked for you. Your knowledge and experience would be life saving for me. Thank you so much

[danacc]

I have it. Selsun Blue works for me, and while I'm not crazy about the 'cone in it, Nizoral is not effective on my scalp. (Note: Your results may vary--the active ingredients in Selsun Blue (selenium sulfide) and Nizoral (ketoconazole) are both equally effective in controlled tests. And in the tests they are both more effective than other anti-fungal medications found in over-the-counter shampoos. But my own scalp definitely prefers Selsun Blue Moisturizing.)

Sometimes it flares up on my face, too, and for that, I apply Monistat cream right after washing and drying.

Since your doctor prescribed medicated shampoos, stick with those, and follow your doctor's advice. Also, this is not the time to cut back on washings. Use your shampoo at the recommended frequency.

I always protect my length by applying a conditioner before using shampoo, medicated or otherwise. Since the medicated shampoos can be more harsh, you may want to try this. I condition just the length, shampoo just the scalp, and then rinse both at the same time. Since it's beneficial to leave both the shampoo and conditioner on for several minutes before rinsing, this works well. I follow with conditioning the length only again, then rinsing. I don't know of any reason to put the medicated shampoo on your length. Conditioner on my scalp causes flare-ups, so I'm careful to confine it to my length.

The final step for me when washing my hair is a vinegar rinse. I dilute 1 part vinegar with 16 parts water, and pour it over my scalp, letting it run down the length. This leaves my scalp at a happier, slightly acidic pH, and makes my hair happier and shinier, too.

[whitesnake]

Thanks a ton Danacc for such a generous and sound advice. I have been prescribed Nizoral too...and it does suit my scalp well...and the flakes and itchiness does clear up in a few days...Also I tried CWC while using Nizoral today..My only worry is:

1. will the chemical in Nizoral-ketaconazole affect my scalp in the long run...for now it seems the only option which gives me some relief....

2. also what if after a point i get immune to it....since this is the only compound which actually works on my scalp

[Caldonia Sun]

First of all, welcome to LHC.

I'm one of the wierdos that reacts badly to everything that ususally helps others with SD. I still have my doubts as to whether I received an accurate diagnosis from the derm. Nizoral and other shampoos of that type burn me too badly to use. I have not yet found the "perfect" washing method or product to totally eliminate this, but through a combination of several things, I am much better.

First of all, diet. I have found that chocolate, ice cream and fried foods make the SD worse. Shampoo needs to be SLS-free and diluted very much. Right now, I'm putting bentonite clay on my scalp as a mask/wash. That has taken away the itching and flaking for the last few days, but I have to be careful that I do not rub my scalp or leave the mask on too long or it will irritate.

Good luck to you.

[Iylivarae]

I've had problems with SD during the last year, at the moment, it seems to be fine. Ketoconazol has worked for me, but the shampoo itself was so drying that I got flakes caused by the dryness...

I also used jojoba/tea-tree-mixtures on my scalp from time to time, it wasn't drying... and tea tree oil worked for me to hold the fungus at a bay.

[danacc]

...

My only worry is:

1. will the chemical in Nizoral-ketaconazole affect my scalp in the long run...for now it seems the only option which gives me some relief....

2. also what if after a point i get immune to it....since this is the only compound which actually works on my scalp

As long as the ketaconazole is working for you, stay with it! As you've seen from some of the other replies, it works for some and can cause side effects with others. I don't know if any of the side effects show up later rather than sooner. As with any medication, there may be long-term effects, but I haven't seen anything scary from otherwise side effect-free long-term use.

As for becoming immune, my understanding is that fungus does not become resistant from continued fungicide use in the way bacteria becomes resistant to antibiotics. Ketaconazole should continue to work for this condition long-term.

[whitesnake]

Thanks so much Iylivarae and Caldonia Sun for your morale boosting replies....feels m not alone in this war . Danacc you are probably right i should stick with it....as i have seen when this problem gets out of hand my hair starts falling in clumps and i get bald patches...it happened twice in the past...and then nizoral controlled that and my hair came back...i m still waiting for it to thicken up after my last attack last june...I have tried everything....under the sun neem, tulsi, amla, rosemary, sage , thyme, henna....it soothes it for sometime but thats it...it is still there...and m sure if my scalp is blocked with that gunk the hair cant grow....it ll be a perpetual fight b/w the hair and the clogged road ahead...

I hope there are more people who can share their experience which might help us in tackling this thru better and more safer means possible

[Iylivarae]

You're welcome!

I think you should stay with the nizoral if it helps you. It doesn't have bad side effects I noticed, if you don't notice any, there is no point in changing... and losing your hair again.

My dermatologist told me that it is possible to adjust the times the stuff is used, so I should try if it still works with using another shampoo every second time, and so on... so it is not too aggressive. I am not using it now, for everything seems to be fine, but in winter I used it first twice, then once a week.

Why do you want to change your routine?

[longhairedfairy]

Coal tar is the best thing I know of for skin problems. Before anyone yells, "Highly carcinogenic!" yes, it is in large amounts. Used topically at 2 percent there is VERY little if any danger as long as you don't go out in the sun. When they still made Tegrin shampoo it took care of my teenage dandruff, no problem. I'm not completely sure exactly what my skin problem is at the moment (going to a dermatologist is not an option right now), but the only thing that seems to help is Psoriasin ointment. Although I currently look like a grease ball and my face smells like a highway, there has been a huge improvement.

[whitesnake]

i agree that I should stick to nizoral.....when i need ..actual the derm said to use it once every week or the prob ll come again...just that m not very enthu about chemicals so regularly ....if anything potent and natural can take care of it...i ll be game