Reducing Inflammation w/o finasteride

[Sprintz]

Hey all,

I tried finasteride and quit due to sides. I've accepted the going bald part, and am just looking for ways to reduce the terrible scalp 'burning' (not itching) I get. I've seen 2 dermatologists who have basically said either scalp oil (fluconazole) or nizoral (which I use 3x/week), and that's all they can suggest.

I suffer from anxiety and have heard anti-anxiety meds can reduce 'burning scalp syndrome'. My dad takes mirtazapine if anyone has any reviews.

Other than that I'm open to any suggestions. I know finasteride works but I can't take it, so if Nizoral is all there is that's that.

Thanks

 

[g.i joey]

if i could suggest anything, it would be to NOT use anti anxiety meds to overcome anxiety. Unless its for a short term solution like presentation, big event etc. anxiety can be beaten but you have to really get out of your comfort zone and face it head on.

 

[Sprintz]

How did you end up treating it? Exercise helps but it definitely runs in my family and I haven't found a great solution.

 

[g.i joey]

I met some really positive friends in a time where i felt my lowest who really helped me. I wasnt one to get panic attacks or anything but i always had butterflies and intense sweating and nervousness before doing anything that involved people out of my social circle or in front of a crowd. My program at school consists of alot of presentations and mainly that is what helped me understand that i had to find comfort in being out of my comfort zone. cold apporaching people helped, at first i looked like a fool but after multiple tries i was getting alot more positive responses and it kind of just ended there. My brother suffers from anxiety and i tell him multiple times that he has to get out of his comfort zone but he just stays in his room and does his own thing. he recently told me he used to have to take shots of liquor before presentations just so he could speak normally without stuttering and stop his shakiness.

 

[Dench57]

Hey all,

I tried finasteride and quit due to sides. I've accepted the going bald part, and am just looking for ways to reduce the terrible scalp 'burning' (not itching) I get. I've seen 2 dermatologists who have basically said either scalp oil (fluconazole) or nizoral (which I use 3x/week), and that's all they can suggest.

I suffer from anxiety and have heard anti-anxiety meds can reduce 'burning scalp syndrome'. My dad takes mirtazapine if anyone has any reviews.

Other than that I'm open to any suggestions. I know finasteride works but I can't take it, so if Nizoral is all there is that's that.

Thanks

You need to figure out what the burning actually is before you can treat it. Did this burning come about after you tried finasteride or have you always had it?
If it's burning scalp syndrome, then yes a tricyclic anti-depressant should help relieve any pain/burning/itching symptoms (I was prescribed Amitryptyline). Also try a shampoo/topical with capsaicin in it. Capsaicin, and certain anti-depressants, inhibit 'substance P' which is a neuropeptide responsible for burning scalp syndrome.

However if it's the "male pattern baldness" itch/burning/pain then that's something more complicated and difficult to treat. Most people get relief simply by using Nizoral shampoo.

 

[Sprintz]

Usual story it came w/hairloss, goes away on finasteride but can't handle the sides.

I figured nizoral was my only hope. I think for me there is also a mental component.

 

[Letsbeatbaldness]

Hey man. If your burning has anything to do with balding, then a pgd2 inhibitor might work. Pgd2 causes inflammation so inhibiting it has worked for some people. There are some topical ones, like OC and TM, and seti of course.
Also, for me, just doing things seemed to help with my anxiety. Whether that's exercise or hanging out with people, keeping my mind off of it helped. Also try guided meditation. There are YouTube videos and they help me calm down. Good luck dude.

 

[shookwun]

Antibiotics - acne medication