I have a problem with my scalp which I have been to my doctor about twice but without success. I regularly get spots (like face spots) on my scalp which can be puss filled or just red aswell as some itching and alot of flaking. I have no idea what is causing it however the symptoms appear to be at their worst after my hair has just been washed and dried. The spots and flaking then become a real problem. At first I thought the flaking was dandruff, so I started to use Head and Shoulders Anti-Dandruff Shampoo. After that failed to help (in fact, it only seemed to worsen the spot problem if anything) I referred to my doctor who prescribed me with Polytar. After using this for the required time and finding it had no affect whatsoever, I searched online for possible treatments for the symptoms I was having. I found and purchased Capasal Theraputic Shampoo which seemed even worse, bringing me out in more spots than ever and not helping with the flaking. So, I headed back to the doctor and saw my regular GP this time, who prescribed me with Betnovate scalp application for the red area on the top of my head that he noticed and advised that I should then move onto Nizoral Dandruff Shampoo and Simple Shampoo - Simple as a shampoo to prevent irritation and Nizoral as a dandruff solution.
Well, I have done everything that he has advised and I'm still no better off for any of it. Admittedly, the scalp application (which is steroid based) seemed to help with the itching and my partner had said that the rednesss had faded whilst using this. But as soon as the length of time I was advised to use this had passed, the itching returned very rapidly and the Nizoral has been as ineffective as any of the other dandruff shampoo's which has left me believing that what I have is not actually dandruff at all.
The spots, itching and flaking seem to be related to my hair washing habbits. Regardless of what shampoo I use, whether it be the Simple or the Dandruff shampoo, as soon as I've towel dried my hair, my scalp itches, then once it has completely dried, the flaking becomes a problem. Now, it doesn't just fall from my hair on its own and its not really visable if you just look at my hair, but as soon as I brush my hair or even run my hands through my hair, it falls like snow from my head and is really embarressing. I've sat there and my partner has stoked my hair for a while and then when I get up, the flakes are everywhere, its just unbearable. Then there's the spots, which like I said, can either be puss filled yellow head spots or just painful red spots. This is very uncomfortable when I have to comb or brush my hair as they are painful when scratched. The only way that the spots and the flaking seem to get any better is during periods when I don't wash my hair, but even then the symptoms are still there, just not as strongly. But, the longer I go without washing my hair, the worse the itching becomes, so I have to wash to relieve the itching to a certain extent.
I honestly believe it is being caused by a reaction to the shampoo's im using which is why I think that some kind of natural shampoo would maybe help but dont know of any that are widely available and really dont know where to look. Also, I am unsure if this will prevent the itching.
Any help or ideas on what I should do would be much appriciated as I have run out of ideas now and my doctors appear unable to help. I also have a completely unrelated skin problem that affects my hands and sometimes my feet after they have been washed or been wet and then dried. They become extremely sensitive to touching most objects and materials and the only way to relieve the horrible sensation is to get them wet or moist again either by licking my hands, using moistureiser or touching something wet or damp. And even then, once they are dry again, the agony returns. They are alot worse in cold whether and are also affected by wind. Its not like a pain, its gives you the feeling that makes you cringe. I have had this problem all my life which is why I think its unrelated to the scalp problem which I've only suffered from for a year or so. I have been to doctors in the past about this who have fobbed me off with various hand lotions but they are only ever a short term fix and do not really help at all. Like I said, Ive just learnt to live with this and Im only really looking for a cure to my scalp condition but thought I should mention this incase it is linked in someway.
Thanks in advance for any help or advice at all. Would be much appriciated.