My Story: Need Advice And Help Please

[shawneric]

Hi guys! Finally a place I can talk with people who know the struggle! I really need some advice and tips, but first let me give you my background.

I'm 30 years old and have been shaving my head since the first sign of hair loss when I was 20. Additionally, I have a skin condition (which no doubt affects my scalp) called Tinea Versicolor, which itches severely when inflamed, caused by heat and/or excessive physical activity. I decided I finally wanted hair, but it was too far gone to try Rogaine, so I got a toupee professionally installed.

I seriously LOVE this thing, it looks absolutely amazing and I couldn't be happier - except I could. This is my third day wearing the piece, and I'm about to go FREAKING INSANE with the itching. I have to admit, I've been very tempted to tear this damn thing off my head and shave it again and say screw it. But I've kept it on, I'm hoping I can try some solutions and things will get better.

The system I'm using:

It's a short cut style, and is glued on. I'm not sure exactly of the material it's made with, I'll find out and update later with it. I've had several complaints about the piece, but they're easily correctable, all except for the itching. I'm doing the best I can to not scratch, but I most certainly am slapping, trapping, and just downright putting pressure on where it itches.

So, here's what I need help with. I'm going in on Saturday to have it adjusted for my other complaints, but I'm debating getting it taped on rather than glued on, this way I can take it off and put it back on at my leisure so I can give my scalp some time to breathe.

I've contemplated getting a wig cap, but I don't think the piece is large enough for one.

Finally, this itching has almost completely pushed me away from using a toupee, even though I'm very happy with how it looks.

Any help please? I'm about two itches from literally tearing this thing from my scalp.

 

[Noah]

Hi ShawnEric

Itching like that is almost certainly caused by the adhesives. It sounds like you have an allergic reaction to whatever adhesive is being used by your salon. So obviously the first thing is to try different adhesives. If your salon is nearby you could get them to try a skin test on you, applying a strip of adhesive on your back or your upper arm. You could try a few different types and see which cause the least reaction.

It is very possible that it is a one-off reaction to the one adhesive, and changing brands will cure it. But if that is not the case, there are a couple of other things you can do. First, you could use a scalp protector on your scalp where the adhesives will go. This is a clear liquid which you apply to your scalp, and which dries to form an invisible barrier layer between the adhesives and your skin. It's very like the NuSkin liquid plasters you may have seen for blisters etc. Another possibility is you could use a strong hairgel like Got2BGlued as your adhesive. It works pretty well, but for obvious reasons you can't swim in it or shower in it. But it should be a lot less problematic if you have sensitive skin.

Try those and let us know how you get on. If you like the toupee it is a shame to have to go back to bald because of itch.

Noah