What can my daughter do to relieve her itchy scalp?
October 23, 2014 7:00 AM Subscribe
My 10 year old has developed and itchy scalp. Her scalp looks normal, there's no rash, no flaking, just a constant itch that has gotten so bad that it's now disrupting her sleep.
We've racked our brains, trying to determine why this is happening, but cannot figure it out.
After we tried a couple of high end, natural shampoos, that didn't help, so we took her to see her doctor who had no idea what the problem might be and simply suggested that we try Selsun Medicated shampoo. This has not helped either.
We are at a loss and are now contemplating seeing a dermatologist but hope to find a less costly remedy.
We've racked our brains, trying to determine why this is happening, but cannot figure it out.
After we tried a couple of high end, natural shampoos, that didn't help, so we took her to see her doctor who had no idea what the problem might be and simply suggested that we try Selsun Medicated shampoo. This has not helped either.
We are at a loss and are now contemplating seeing a dermatologist but hope to find a less costly remedy.
Have you tried a cider vinegar rinse? I know you say there's no dandruff, but I've had itching, which, when itched, would flake and I've managed to clear mine up with a regular (daily at first, now every couple of days) cider vinegar rinse.
I think most of the recommendations are a 1:1 of vinegar to water. She'll smell kind of like a pickle. Some folks rinse out, some let it dry for 1/2 an hour then rinse; I usually just leave it in. Once it's dry the pickle resemblance goes away.
posted by carrioncomfort at 7:14 AM on October 23, 2014 [1 favorite]
I think most of the recommendations are a 1:1 of vinegar to water. She'll smell kind of like a pickle. Some folks rinse out, some let it dry for 1/2 an hour then rinse; I usually just leave it in. Once it's dry the pickle resemblance goes away.
posted by carrioncomfort at 7:14 AM on October 23, 2014 [1 favorite]
Definitely take her to a dermatologist.
Also I agree with zizzle that it could be that the original cause has gone away, but the scratching irritated the skin, so that's making her itch.
posted by radioamy at 7:15 AM on October 23, 2014 [2 favorites]
Also I agree with zizzle that it could be that the original cause has gone away, but the scratching irritated the skin, so that's making her itch.
posted by radioamy at 7:15 AM on October 23, 2014 [2 favorites]
Has she recently taken any antibiotics? I developed random odd itching on a few spots of my body without any rash or other symptoms and it made me miserable for a long time. It was always worse at night. No doctor could ever find a cause. Then one day it stopped. A few years later, it happened again. Turned out that it was a reaction to the antibiotic so now I never take that one.
posted by maxg94 at 7:20 AM on October 23, 2014
posted by maxg94 at 7:20 AM on October 23, 2014
Disrupting her sleep? I think this definitely calls for a dermatologist. (I assume you have definitely ruled out head lice and such.)
In the short term, while waiting for the dermatologist appointment - does she have any allergies? You could try Benadryl. Try an alternate shampoo, like Neutrogena T/Gel, or try a shampoo containing tea tree oil.
posted by gudrun at 7:21 AM on October 23, 2014 [4 favorites]
In the short term, while waiting for the dermatologist appointment - does she have any allergies? You could try Benadryl. Try an alternate shampoo, like Neutrogena T/Gel, or try a shampoo containing tea tree oil.
posted by gudrun at 7:21 AM on October 23, 2014 [4 favorites]
Nthing dermatologist as well, but the one time my scalp itched like mad, the doctor suggested seborrheic dermatitis and suggested Nizoral medicated shampoo. It did the trick in about a week.
posted by tatiana131 at 7:24 AM on October 23, 2014 [2 favorites]
posted by tatiana131 at 7:24 AM on October 23, 2014 [2 favorites]
- When was the last time you washed or replaced her pillow? Could be mites.
Actually, I bet that's it. Buy a new pillow. Hot water wash on all bedding. They're microscopic, and totally natural. You won't see them or a rash.
-----
Along with washing/replacing bedding...
Extra Virgin Coconut oil. Not a lot! Just a little bit. Also, rub it in as moisturizer on her clean hands before bed.
You want a pillow case on her pillow you don't mind ruining!
She'll probably have to wash her hair before school. The coconut oil will be very soothing, and it is good for hair, skin, etc.. Totally non toxic.
I would do both of these things before seeing a new doc. If they did not help, then see a new doc!
posted by jbenben at 7:25 AM on October 23, 2014 [3 favorites]
Actually, I bet that's it. Buy a new pillow. Hot water wash on all bedding. They're microscopic, and totally natural. You won't see them or a rash.
-----
Along with washing/replacing bedding...
Extra Virgin Coconut oil. Not a lot! Just a little bit. Also, rub it in as moisturizer on her clean hands before bed.
You want a pillow case on her pillow you don't mind ruining!
She'll probably have to wash her hair before school. The coconut oil will be very soothing, and it is good for hair, skin, etc.. Totally non toxic.
I would do both of these things before seeing a new doc. If they did not help, then see a new doc!
posted by jbenben at 7:25 AM on October 23, 2014 [3 favorites]
Along with the great advice above, check the ingredients of your shampoo, if it contains sodium lauryl sulfate, that makes my scalp itch. Try something without sulfates (even high-end natural shampoos may add sls).
posted by nanook at 7:38 AM on October 23, 2014
posted by nanook at 7:38 AM on October 23, 2014
My scalp gets itchy when it's dry, especially around this time of year. Mine flakes a little, but it seems possible that hers could be itchy-dry without flaking. I find the following helpful: short, lukewarm showers (long & hot showers dry out my skin), gentle, sulfate-free shampoo (or just using conditioner to "wash" hair), a little bit of moisturizer or coconut oil on my head at night (if I'm going to wash my hair in the morning).
posted by insectosaurus at 7:57 AM on October 23, 2014
posted by insectosaurus at 7:57 AM on October 23, 2014
definitely hot-wash all her bedding and vacuum her room; try the Nizoral; and of course dermatologist if that doesn't help in a few days. And if she hasn't tried it already, conditioner on the scalp after shampooing to combat dryness.
posted by fingersandtoes at 8:06 AM on October 23, 2014
posted by fingersandtoes at 8:06 AM on October 23, 2014
I can't do any shampoo, even high-end, natural ones, since they all lead to terrible itching. I wash with a baking soda solution, or conditioner, instead and don't get any itching. Worth a try. (Honestly I'd try that before slapping on the antifungals...)
posted by The Toad at 8:19 AM on October 23, 2014
posted by The Toad at 8:19 AM on October 23, 2014
My scalp gets really itchy when I use commonly recognized brand name shampoo and conditioner. Personally, I use Aubrey Organics Honeysuckle Rose. It is moisturizing, has natural ingredients and smells great. It lasts me about 5-6 months and I have a little longer than medium-length hair. I used to get really bad dandruff when I used the other stuff and this is the only shampoo that has helped my hair and scalp be more manageable and gratefully, no more itching.
posted by lunastellasol at 8:21 AM on October 23, 2014
posted by lunastellasol at 8:21 AM on October 23, 2014
Have you tried a children's antihistamine like Zyrtec or Claritin? If it's a scratching-begets-itching situation, that might help break the cycle. But yes, definitely a dermatologist, itching that is severe enough to disrupt sleep is a problem (and you should mention that fact to the derm when you talk to them).
posted by KathrynT at 9:34 AM on October 23, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by KathrynT at 9:34 AM on October 23, 2014 [1 favorite]
You don't say if you did or not, and I assume you did but just in case you haven't. Have you checked for nits/head lice?
I'd try coal tar shampoo, don't let the name put you off, it is very good for itchy scalps & most likely the first thing a dermatologist would suggest anyway. I find the Neutrogena T/Gel brand to be very good.
posted by wwax at 9:53 AM on October 23, 2014 [1 favorite]
I'd try coal tar shampoo, don't let the name put you off, it is very good for itchy scalps & most likely the first thing a dermatologist would suggest anyway. I find the Neutrogena T/Gel brand to be very good.
posted by wwax at 9:53 AM on October 23, 2014 [1 favorite]
An article I found a while back and bookmarked. It is written for older women by a dermatologist and explores itchy scalp and the various treatments and active ingredients in the treatments. The article points out that coal tar yellows light colored hair and the tar smell is virtually impossible to get rid of, taking a few days to go away.
Senior Women Web: A Dermatologist's Tips for Dry, Flaky Skin On the Scalp; It's the Season for Seborrheic Dermatitis
I have used Dr. Bronner's Castile Peppermint soap to great effect when I have had the occasional bout of itchy scalp. I scrub it in and let it sit there until I can not stand the zing of the peppermint any longer. AN aside: My son discovered that our dog, who suffers from red, irritated and itchy skin for reasons that no vet has been able to diagnose or cure, positively adores being shampooed with Dr. Bronner's and will run around in an almost manic, elated state after being bathed. This amazes me as I would have thought the dog would have hated so strong a sensation as that soap can produce.
posted by bz at 12:55 PM on October 23, 2014 [2 favorites]
Senior Women Web: A Dermatologist's Tips for Dry, Flaky Skin On the Scalp; It's the Season for Seborrheic Dermatitis
I have used Dr. Bronner's Castile Peppermint soap to great effect when I have had the occasional bout of itchy scalp. I scrub it in and let it sit there until I can not stand the zing of the peppermint any longer. AN aside: My son discovered that our dog, who suffers from red, irritated and itchy skin for reasons that no vet has been able to diagnose or cure, positively adores being shampooed with Dr. Bronner's and will run around in an almost manic, elated state after being bathed. This amazes me as I would have thought the dog would have hated so strong a sensation as that soap can produce.
posted by bz at 12:55 PM on October 23, 2014 [2 favorites]
A couple of potential ideas (from a fellow itchy scalper)
- It could be psorisis
- Try Nizoral, followed by a moisturizing shampoo - has helped me lots in controlling the overall itchiness
- I know people who like using nettle water (boil nettles in water, let it sit over night, and then rise the scalp with said water)
To be honest, going to the GP/dermatologist was the single most helpful step.
posted by troytroy at 1:17 PM on October 23, 2014 [1 favorite]
- It could be psorisis
- Try Nizoral, followed by a moisturizing shampoo - has helped me lots in controlling the overall itchiness
- I know people who like using nettle water (boil nettles in water, let it sit over night, and then rise the scalp with said water)
To be honest, going to the GP/dermatologist was the single most helpful step.
posted by troytroy at 1:17 PM on October 23, 2014 [1 favorite]
This is a little off the beaten path, but when I was a teen, I scratched my head a lot. My mom identified a scalp issue and tried to treat it with various different shampoos etc. I figured I just had an itchy scalp. What I actually have and didn't figure out until adulthood, is dermatillomania (skin picking) that is unique to my scalp and caused by stress, anxiety, ocd, etc. I am totally not trying to be alarmist at all, just relate that what you are describing felt familiar to me. It might be worth it to just check in with your daughter to see if there is anything she's particularly stressed about right now, or if there are any major life changes she's gone through that may be translating into this.
posted by Polyhymnia at 1:21 PM on October 23, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by Polyhymnia at 1:21 PM on October 23, 2014 [1 favorite]
Warning re Dr. Bronner's: do not use it full strength. Dilute it to about 1:4 or 1:5, shampoo to water. Speaking from experience here.
posted by yclipse at 4:16 PM on October 23, 2014
posted by yclipse at 4:16 PM on October 23, 2014
1) Get her checked for lice
2) Try a few different medicated shampoos with different active ingredients
3) Encourage her to wash her hands frequently as scratching with dirty fingernails will just make the problem worse
posted by Jacqueline at 8:07 PM on October 23, 2014 [1 favorite]
2) Try a few different medicated shampoos with different active ingredients
3) Encourage her to wash her hands frequently as scratching with dirty fingernails will just make the problem worse
posted by Jacqueline at 8:07 PM on October 23, 2014 [1 favorite]
You don't mention lice so I assume that you found that too obvious to even mention, but since you don't mention it at all, I thought I'd bring it up anyway. I was on a holiday once when this severe itch started. I didn't see any lice, my partner looked very very well under bright light and didn't see any lice in my hear, so I assumed it must be something else (also: I was an adult - wasn't lice a kids thing?). I eventually did get to a drugstore that sold good nit combs (with very long teeth) and bought one and found the lice. Apparently they can have a tendency to hide when you go look for them, so you have to comb them out, and my regular comb didn't catch any.
I feel reluctant to even mention this because it sounds so obvious but I don't know where you live and there are places where there is still a taboo on lice so I can see that people, even doctors, might miss it if you think just looking is enough and/or think that lice don't happen to clean people.
posted by blub at 12:13 AM on October 24, 2014 [1 favorite]
I feel reluctant to even mention this because it sounds so obvious but I don't know where you live and there are places where there is still a taboo on lice so I can see that people, even doctors, might miss it if you think just looking is enough and/or think that lice don't happen to clean people.
posted by blub at 12:13 AM on October 24, 2014 [1 favorite]
My legs get terribly, terribly itchy during the winter months and the only thing that stops the itch is an antihistamine. No amount of oatmeal baths, creams, lotions, or drinking water will stop it, but the meds do. I assume it's just a histamine reaction gone amok.
posted by telophase at 12:08 PM on October 24, 2014
posted by telophase at 12:08 PM on October 24, 2014
This thread is closed to new comments.
And don't discount the possibility that itching begets itching on its own. I've had a similar problem before, and once I've stopped actually itching, there is no more itching.....so if there isn't a physical cause, it could be more of a habit or a tic.
posted by zizzle at 7:13 AM on October 23, 2014 [10 favorites]