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Hi there Dr. Stoll & friends,
My boyfriend has had a receding hairline for a number of years now. Perhaps it is purely hereditary, but I can't help but wonder if it's related to a problem he's had with his scalp for a number of years now?
His head is often COVERED in redness. Some of it is small pimples, some large puss-pockets, and some is on the other extreme -- extremely dry, scaly, and flakes off. He instinctively scratches at it because it either hurts or itches all the time.
He's been to 2 different doctors and they keep giving him the same medication -- Tetracyclin. He takes the drugs properly and while he's on it, it works. But within a month of being off the drugs, this condition comes back full-force. When he returns to the doctor to complain that the remedy didn't work, they just give him a larger dosage (ie. lasts longer). Again he'll take it properly right through to the end of the bottle, be cleared up temporarily, but it comes back. This has happened about 4 or 5 times now.
When he wasn't on the medication, we've tried over-the-counter scalp shampoos like Neutrogena T-Gel, but they don't seem to be doing any good. He's also tried switching off my "perfumy" shampoo and moved to Johnson & Johnson's baby shampoo, but that isn't working either. We're on the verge of giving up!
One more thing that might be useful information -- my boyfriend does NOT have problems with acne anywhere else on his body. He tends to get ingrown hairs and redness on his neck where facial hair would grow, which also clears up temporarily when he's on Tetracyclin, but that's about it. Otherwise he's pretty healthy overall.
Any advice on what this could possibly be, what kind of treatments to seek, what to ask for or who we should see???
Frustrated girlfriend,
Karen
PS> Tried searching the site first ... didn't see much info on these symptoms nor Tetracyclin. Thanks.
In Reply to: Lumpy, scaly scalp posted by Karen on February 16, 2000 at 10:45:11:
that seems to be what im starting to get. I havent seen any pusspockets yet but it seems like i have the rest of it. Plus it seems like my hairline is cutting back a little. I going to go to a dermatolgist in the next week or so but if you happen to find out any good info this I would appreciate it if you send it my way and I will do the same if I find anything. Ive tried a bunch of different over-the-counter shampoos but nothing seems to work. I even tried the selsun blue (moisturizing) but it only seems to ahve made it worse. Now it seems to burn a good chunk of the day.
thanks in advance
In Reply to: Lumpy, scaly scalp posted by Karen on February 16, 2000 at 10:45:11:
Hi, Karen.
Thanks for taking the time to at least look. You are right that there is little about this on the BB. Hopefully, other bits of information rubbed off on you as you passed by and helped it not be a total waste of your time.
This is seborrheic dermatitis. Has not any of these docs told him that?
In MY experience, this is caused by exactly the same process as psoriasis and eczema. It is always related to LGS and the associated C-RS. When the C-RS is gone so will the S.D. be gone. However, if he does not get rid of the LGS, eventually the whole problem will come back again. He needs to be thankful that he has the least bothersome of this "triumvirate".
Unfortunately, the tetracycline not only only helps temporarily but it makes the C-RS a lot worse in the long run. It is even possible that, had he not ever taken the tetracycline, that the problem would have cleared up by itself. THIS PROBLEM IS COMING FROM INSIDE HIM WHICH IS WHY IT WILL NEVER BE RESOLVED FROM ANYTHING USED TOPICALLY.
Have him spend a few hours in the glossary, homepage, archives and search engine about stuff like LGS, C-RS, stress, SR, eczema and psoriasis.
THEN, if he still has questions, write again.
Walt
In Reply to: Re: Lumpy, scaly scalp posted by b on February 17, 2000 at 00:24:52:
Hi, Karen
Must be very frustrating for this to be happening.
Here's some information obtained from website for treating
this condition.
-----------------------------------------------
How is seborrheic dermatitis treated? The treatment of seborrheic dermatitis depends on its location on the body. Treatment also depends on the age of the person affected.
Seborrheic dermatitis of the scalp (dandruff) in adults and adolescents. Dandruff is usually treated with a shampoo that contains salicylic acid (brand names:X-Seb T, ebulex), selenium sulfide (brand names: Selsun, Exsel) or pyrithione zinc (brand names: DHS Zinc, Danex, Sebulon).These shampoos can be used 2 times a week.Shampoos with coal tar(brand
names: DHS Tar, Neutrogena T-Gel, Polytar) can be used 3 times a week.If you have dandruff, you might start by using one of these shampoos daily until your dandruff controlled, and then use it 2 or 3 times a week.
When you use a dandruff shampoo, rub the shampoo into your hair thoroughly and let it stay on your hair and scalp for at least 5 minutes before rinsing, to make sure it has time to work.
If the shampoo alone doesn't help, your doctor might want you to use steroid lotions (brand names: Hytone, Synalar, Valisone) once or twice daily, in addition to the shampoo.
Hope This Helps As Well
In Reply to: Re: Lumpy, scaly scalp (Seborrheic Dermatitis.) LGS & C-RS posted by Walt Stoll on February 17, 2000 at 10:44:11:
Wow ... thanks for the starters, Dr. Stoll. It looks like there is a lot in the archives about LGS & C-RS so when you said "hours", you were probably right!
I don't believe any doctor has ever told my boyfriend what exactly it is that he has (ie. "seborrheic dermatitis"). Perhaps they didn't think he would know what it meant, or perhaps they did tell him and he forgot? In any case, we investigated the definitions of the conditions listed on his Neutrogena T-Gel bottle (psoriasis, seborrheic, etc..), and we knew it was probably something like that.
I am very disappointed to hear that the tetracycline could actually be WORSENING his symptoms, though I am not surprised and I'm glad I know now! I was quite bothered every time he came home with "yet another dose" and nothing new. And it's true, his symptoms have been getting worse but I assumed that it was just because he wasn't getting the right treatment or he was stressed at work or something.
Again, I really appreciate the pointers. I am so very concerned that we are getting more help from someone we've never met (you & your BB visitors), than 2 doctors we've met with face-to-face. But I am very thankful this outlet exists nonetheless!!!
Thanks,
Karen
PS> If I understand the definition of a "topical remedy" (ie. applied externally to the body), that's not what he's getting as a prescription. His Tetracycline is in the form of pills. Does that make a difference or did I misunderstand the definition of "topical"?
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