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I've looked all over your site (and others), visited several dermatologists and doctors, and can find no help for what I'm beginning to believe is a misdiagnosis of a seborheic dermatitis condition on my scalp.
I'm a 31 year old female. Almost 2 years ago I went through a radical hormonal change as a result of a period of high stress in my life. I experienced a multitude of symptoms ranging from excessive menstrual bleeding (6 weeks straight, moderate to heavy at all times), heightened sensitivity to smell and sound, and what has been termed anything from a hypoallergenic reaction to syborheic dermatitis on my scalp. Strange mix.
Traditional medicine didn't seem to offer much help. I then went to Osteopaths and alternative medicine experts locally who put me on a strict "elimination diet" for 5 weeks (determining I had no food allergies), and extensive thyroid testing (dertmining I had an unusually high number of "reverse T1" in my system, but all else was normal).
A 5 day dose of Provera stopped the menstrual issue, and a prescription of birth control pills seemed to level my hormones. However, my scalp has worsened -- despite using dandruff shampoos, prescription shampoo (Nizoral) and prescription topical treatments (liquid) it continues to "thicken" and has now taken on a strange smell.
So much so, that I began to wonder if I could have been misdiagnosed from the beginning. Doctors seem to think I'm a bit crazy when I ask if it's possible to have a yeast infection on my scalp -- this is EXACTLY how it smells. No matter what shampoo I use (medicated or not), or how hair products smell on other people -- on me everything goes back to the same yeasty, musky smell. It even transfers the smell to my clothing & my pillows (my husband has even noticed it, so it's not just me!). It itches moderately, unless I've exercised -- then the itching is almost unbearable. Persperiation and heat of any kind aggravate it very badly.
I have very short hair (boyish type cut), and have cut myself back to washing it only once per day (more than that seems to make the buildup worse). It seems almost as if an extra layer of "grime" builds up on my scalp, especially if I exercise (sweating makes the flaking & buildup worse). The flakes have changed from a dry white dandruff type when this started, to a yellowy, sticky layer that I can scrape off partially with my fingernails. No matter how much I scrub, moisturize or treat -- it just seems to get worse and worse.
Dermatologists seem to be satisfied that it's "Seborheic Dermatitis" and that it's basically something I'll have to live with. I'm skeptical of that diagnosis, especially when the shampoos and topical treatments that they said would "make it better" only seem to have changed the direction of the problem. It's gotten worse, but in a different way than it was before.
Any suggestions? I'm open to anything at this point, it's driving me crazy!
In Reply to: Seborheic Dermatitis? posted by Leah on February 22, 2001 at 09:48:35:
Hi Leah,
Have you tried rinsing your hair with cider vinegar? Years ago, when I lived in the north, I discovered (I think in Prevention Mag.)a remedy for dandruff. The recipe is 1 part peppermint tea to 1 part cider vinegar. What I did was steep about 5 peppermint tea bags in a small pan of water and mixed that with a small bottle of cider vinegar. Then whenever I washed my hair, I would fill my bathroom sink with water and mix a little of the tea/vinegar solution with it and rinse my hair after washing. Worked like a charm. Your scalp PH level may be off, and the vinegar may help restore it to it's proper level. Hope this helps.
Namaste'
Joanie
In Reply to: Re: Seborheic Dermatitis? posted by Joanie on February 22, 2001 at 14:34:07:
Hi Joanie,
Thank you SO MUCH for the suggestion. I have not tried vinegar, but I will do so starting tonight. Your comment rang a bell with me, I remember my mother rinsing my hair with vinegar when I was a child -- and that it always seemed to make my hair & scalp feel cleaner (and I liked the smell - go figure).
I'll be running to the store tonight for peppermint tea & cider vinegar!
Namaste' to you as well.
Leah
In Reply to: Re: Seborheic Dermatitis? posted by Joanie on February 22, 2001 at 14:34:07:
Hi Joanie,
Do you mean apple cider vinegar?
Thanks,
Avani
In Reply to: Re: Seborheic Dermatitis? posted by Leah on February 22, 2001 at 15:44:41:
nm
In Reply to: Re: Seborheic Dermatitis? posted by Avani on February 22, 2001 at 16:11:26:
nm
In Reply to: Re: Seborheic Dermatitis? Good luck..let us know how you made out. nmi posted by Joanie on February 23, 2001 at 07:22:45:
I did my first peppermint tea/apple cider vinegar treatment last night! Of course, no big changes overnight, but my hair is VERY VERY shiny today, so that's a great bonus.
It does make my scalp feel exceptionally clean right after I put the treatment on -- this is a great sign!
Thanks again!
In Reply to: Seborheic Dermatitis? posted by Leah on February 22, 2001 at 09:48:35:
Doesn't that sound like "cradle cap"? But I can't remember what the real term is for that. Maybe it is the dermatitis. You could check out the remedy for that.
In Reply to: Re: Seborheic Dermatitis? Good luck..let us know how you made out. nmi posted by Leah on February 23, 2001 at 13:45:38:
Great news! It helped my dandruff problem immediately, but your problem seems a bit more severe. Give it some time and keep us posted.
Joanie
In Reply to: Seborheic Dermatitis? posted by Leah on February 22, 2001 at 09:48:35:
Hi, Leah.
Without being able to see it I have no better suggestions than Joanie, Sally & Avani--which are good! Remember that perceived stress seemed to be the precipitating factor. IF that is the case, your physiology would have been tipped over the edge of your cliff and simply the absence of more stress would never resolve that imbalance. SR is the solution to that situation. See the many references as to why that would be the case in the archives and in the postings by R on 2/21.
The only idea I might have is to first go to your lending library and ask them for a color atlas of dermatology. See if you can find your condition pictured there.
There is an uncommon condition of a synergistic infection with both a bacterium AND a fungus. I forget the name of it now but you would find it in the atlas IF it is a very complete one. Tell the librarian that you want a very complete one. It may take him 2 weeks to get it.
Let us know what you learn and how you do.
Walt
In Reply to: Re: Seborheic Dermatitis? Good luck..let us know how you made out. nmi posted by Joanie on February 23, 2001 at 15:20:41:
I'ts WORKING!! Almost 2 full weeks of treatment (2-3 times per week) and there is SIGNIFICANT improvement.
Thanks, Joanie!!!
In Reply to: Re: Seborheic Dermatitis? Good luck..let us know how you made out. nmi posted by Leah on March 07, 2001 at 08:59:34:
Hi Leah,
Congratulations! Glad to be of help.
Namaste'
Joanie
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