Seborrheic Dermatitis Hair Thinning

[Exoclap]

Hey guys. A few weeks ago I just got 16 years old and I don't know what to do anymore so I decided to post a thread on this forum if anyone could help me out.

So it all started last year. I was really stressed out because of school and I started flaking up and feeling an itchy sensation on my scalp. I thought nothing of it but when the summer came it started getting really hot so whenever I would sweat I could feel my scalp burning and tingling/itching like somebody was poking it with a needle. When I noticed that I started getting really worried since this never happened to me.

On the top of my head hair started thinning and feeling really weird as well. So I decided to shave my head in hopes the itching will go away but when I did it the burning was awful. When my mother ran the razor over my scalp it burned and itched an awful a lot. I resisted the scratching and I thought it was normal. When my hair started to grow out I still experienced flaking, itching and the burning sensation when I worked out/when I was sweating. My hair grew out quite a lot since then and for the first time I took a selfie to check out my hair. The sun was shinning and I could clearly see my scalp. Not a lot but it was still really noticeable. That was the point when I started freaking out and fell in depression. Since then I did lots of research and I self diagnosed myself with seborrheic dermatitis. I used many anti- dandruff shampoos/natural treatments and nothing worked. I always checked if I'm still flaking by moving my head above a peace of paper and ran my hand through my hair. When I did that I noticed the dandruff coming off like snow. In a matter of seconds the whole paper was covered in flakes. This year when I shaved again I noticed red pimple like bumps on my scalp. So I decided that enough is enough and I visited my doctor. She looked at my scalp and diagnosed me with SD and scalp folliculitus. She perscribed me an anti-fungal shampoo called Nizoral and clindamycin. So I started appying clindamycin every evening and I used Nizoral every 3 days. She told me that I need to keep using the medicine for 2 weeks and then come back if nothing gets better. My scalp got really dry and the flaking was still present. So a week later I got sick and that is when the miracle happened. I was sick for a few days and while I was sick I slept a lot more than I used to and I started drinking mineral water. So when I came home from school on monday I rubbed my head against a peace of paper and literally no flaking was present. I was thinking what did I do differently in those 4 days except sleeping and drinking mineral water and not washing my hair. Recently not long ago I switched from Nizoral to Dr.Bronners with ACV in hopes my hair will grow back. My scalp can still be seen through when there is some form of lighting shinning over it and my scalp still feels hot after showering but the flaking and burning almost went away.

This is my story and now I'm asking you guys that had the same condition to help me out. I really want to regrow my hair and treat this damn thing. I'm only 16 and I really want to get a girlfriend but I cant since my thinning hair completely destroyed my confidence So any help that yoy guys would give will be appreciated A LOT.

PS: My hair almost stopped falling out and the flaking stopped as well and I really dont know if the sleeping part helped or did the mineral water/Nizoral cure me of flaking. But I doubt it was Nizoral since I always experienced a lot more flaking and my scalp got dry after I used the shampoo.

I did use many other shampoos like Vichy, John masters organics and Hanz de fuko. After using those shampoos my scalp felt kinda better but it was still terrible.

 

[Giiizmo]

If you don't have androgenetic alopecia your hair should regrow slowly over the coming months.

Seborrheic dermatitis, as with all forms of eczema, is a strange beast. As with most conditions stemming from an immune response and its subsequent inflammation, it is poorly understood. What little is known is that there are factors that can modulate its recurrence such as an infection - be it of bacterial or fungal origine (and possibly even viral), genetic causes and stress from different sources like a lack of sleep, poor hybiene habits, excessive sun exposure, poor nutrition, etc.

The specific causes are not known.[9] Current theories for the cause of the disease include a weakened immune system, the lack of specific nutrients (for example zinc), or issues with the nervous system.[10]

Seborrhoeic dermatitis may involve an inflammatory reaction to a proliferation of a form of the yeast Malassezia,[11][12] though this has not been proven.[13]

Genetic, environmental, hormonal, and immune-system factors have been shown to be involved in the manifestation of seborrhoeic dermatitis.[16][17]

Seborrhoeic dermatitis may be aggravated by illness, psychological stress, fatigue, sleep deprivation, change of season and reduced general health.[18] In children, excessive vitamin A intake can cause seborrhoeic dermatitis.[19] Lack of biotin,[18] pyridoxine (vitamin B6)[18][20] and riboflavin (vitamin B2)[18] may also be a cause. Those with immunodeficiency (especially infection with HIV) and with neurological disorders such as Parkinson's disease (for which the condition is an autonomic sign) and stroke are particularly prone to it.[21]

Your doctor was right to prescribe you both Nizoral (ketoconazole) and antibiotics. Ketoconazole, the active component of Nizoral, is known to have anti-fungal and anti-inflammatory properties. As a prophylaxis measure, you should keep using Nizoral about once a week. Don't let it sit too long on your scalp as it'll dry your skin and further trigger an immune response (2-3 mins should be about right).

Best wishes.

 

[Armando Jose]

Your flaking and itching sensation was on all your scalp or only in the top/vertex and crown area?

 

[Exoclap]

Your flaking and itching sensation was on all your scalp or only in the top/vertex and crown area?

It was everywhere. A little less noticeable on the sides but on the top there was a lot of it. The burning/itching sensation was present all over my scalp but again a little bit less noticeable on the sides.

 

[Exoclap]

If you don't have androgenetic alopecia your hair should regrow slowly over the coming months.

Seborrheic dermatitis, as with all forms of eczema, is a strange beast. As with most conditions stemming from an immune response and its subsequent inflammation, it is poorly understood. What little is known is that there are factors that can modulate its recurrence such as an infection - be it of bacterial or fungal origine (and possibly even viral), genetic causes and stress from different sources like a lack of sleep, poor hybiene habits, excessive sun exposure, poor nutrition, etc.



Your doctor was right to prescribe you both Nizoral (ketoconazole) and antibiotics. Ketoconazole, the active component of Nizoral, is known to have anti-fungal and anti-inflammatory properties. As a prophylaxis measure, you should keep using Nizoral about once a week. Don't let it sit too long on your scalp as it'll dry your skin and further trigger an immune response (2-3 mins should be about right).

Best wishes.

Thank you so so much for responding ! I was using Nizoral and clyndamicin for 2 weeks then I switched to Dr.Bronners and ACV rinse. So if I understand correctly I should use Nizoral and clyndamicin when the symptoms come back ?

But I definitely don't sleep enough time. For the past 2 years I've only been sleeping for 5-6 hours a day maybe even less but I do sleep quite a lot during the weekend which usually for about 10-11 hours since I'm so exhausted. I've also been under stress a lot and I don't eat anything for breakfast or sometimes nothing for lunch as well so yeah I guess my diet is not that great either....

I know I'm an idiot but I didn't know that would have such an effect on my scalp. Thank you so much again for helping me out and giving me those tips.

If I would have any more questions can I maybe shoot you a private message or add you on some sort of social media ? That would be awesome.

 

[Armando Jose]

It was everywhere. A little less noticeable on the sides but on the top there was a lot of it. The burning/itching sensation was present all over my scalp but again a little bit less noticeable on the sides.

Then, you are a lucky person because you dont suffer from common hairloss, probably with some natural method you could achieve a great improvement. Try pure jojoba oil as a lotion.

 

[worm]

Read my thread under alternative treatments about zix. I experienced SD and it will definitely stop all your itching.

https://www.hairlosstalk.com/intera...ce-how-b6-and-zinc-have-saved-my-hair.101629/

 

[Exoclap]

Then, you are a lucky person because you dont suffer from common hairloss, probably with some natural method you could achieve a great improvement. Try pure jojoba oil as a lotion.

I mean my hair thinned out quite a lot since you can see my scalp when on the sun. Ah oils I've read so much about them but people said that oils make your SB worse but it does help with the itching and burning of scalp folliculitus.

 

[Exoclap]

Read my thread under alternative treatments about zix. I experienced SD and it will definitely stop all your itching.

https://www.hairlosstalk.com/intera...ce-how-b6-and-zinc-have-saved-my-hair.101629/

If you don't have androgenetic alopecia your hair should regrow slowly over the coming months.

Seborrheic dermatitis, as with all forms of eczema, is a strange beast. As with most conditions stemming from an immune response and its subsequent inflammation, it is poorly understood. What little is known is that there are factors that can modulate its recurrence such as an infection - be it of bacterial or fungal origine (and possibly even viral), genetic causes and stress from different sources like a lack of sleep, poor hybiene habits, excessive sun exposure, poor nutrition, etc.



Your doctor was right to prescribe you both Nizoral (ketoconazole) and antibiotics. Ketoconazole, the active component of Nizoral, is known to have anti-fungal and anti-inflammatory properties. As a prophylaxis measure, you should keep using Nizoral about once a week. Don't let it sit too long on your scalp as it'll dry your skin and further trigger an immune response (2-3 mins should be about right).

Best wishes.

It doesn't itch anymore. It only itched the first month when I noticed something was wrong and when I'm sweating. When I run my hand through my hair it burns a little bit on many different spots which is really weird. Through out the day my scalp doesn't get itchy or burning. One thing to note though is that my scalp is pretty red when I wash my hair and it does burn a little bit after my hair is dry but the next day everything is normal.

 

[worm]

It doesn't itch anymore. It only itched the first month when I noticed something was wrong and when I'm sweating. When I run my hand through my hair it burns a little bit on many different spots which is really weird. Through out the day my scalp doesn't get itchy or burning. One thing to note though is that my scalp is pretty red when I wash my hair and it does burn a little bit after my hair is dry but the next day everything is normal.

It'll still help restore the health of your scalp.

 

[Exoclap]

It'll still help restore the health of your scalp.

Alright thank you so much I will def try it. When should I use the jojoba oil tho before shower or after shower since I really have no clue about stuff like this. I heard onion juice is also really good for hair regrowth and amazing for SB and scalp folliculitus as well since its anti-fungal and anti-bacterial. Arent oils bad for SB though ?

Again thank you so much for helping me out it means the world to me. I hope I'm not annoying you too much !

 

[Giiizmo]

Thank you so so much for responding ! I was using Nizoral and clyndamicin for 2 weeks then I switched to Dr.Bronners and ACV rinse. So if I understand correctly I should use Nizoral and clyndamicin when the symptoms come back ?

Maybe not the clyndamicin but yes for Nizoral. You can even use Nizoral even when you don't have acute symptoms as a preventative measure, once every week. It is theorized that seborrheic dermatitis can be triggered by a fungal infection and Nizoral helps to fight that or prevent it, especially during the cold season when your scalp gets less sun and is more prone to fungal proliferation.

If I would have any more questions can I maybe shoot you a private message or add you on some sort of social media ? That would be awesome.

Feel free to shoot me a PM if you have more questions. Or just post them here so other members can comment on them.

As for the last couple of posts, I can't really comment on the efficacy of using various oils (jojoba / emu / castor oil) except that I haven't read much more than some anecdotal reports that it can alleviate symptoms a bit for some people. However, onion juice is pretty much useless since it's not concentrated enough, won't sit on your scalp long enough nor even penetrate the skin appropriately.

Try to improve your overall quality of life - notably your sleeping habits - and your hair should return to normal in a few months.

 

[Exoclap]

Maybe not the clyndamicin but yes for Nizoral. You can even use Nizoral even when you don't have acute symptoms as a preventative measure, once every week. It is theorized that seborrheic dermatitis can be triggered by a fungal infection and Nizoral helps to fight that or prevent it, especially during the cold season when your scalp gets less sun and is more prone to fungal proliferation.




Feel free to shoot me a PM if you have more questions. Or just post them here so other members can comment on them.

As for the last couple of posts, I can't really comment on the efficacy of using various oils (jojoba / emu / castor oil) except that I haven't read much more than some anecdotal reports that it can alleviate symptoms a bit for some people. However, onion juice is pretty much useless since it's not concentrated enough, won't sit on your scalp long enough nor even penetrate the skin appropriately.

Try to improve your overall quality of life - notably your sleeping habits - and your hair should return to normal in a few months.

Wow thanks for all the info I really do appreciate it. I really hope my hair will return to normal since SB and scalp folliculitus probably damaged and destroyed my hair follicles.

Again thank you so so much again to everyone who responded It really means a lot that this community is so friendly and helpful.

Even if I get back my hair we will probably see each other in a couple years since my father is almost completely bald.

I wan't to help out people that have SB or scalp folliculites so I will keep this thread updated if my hair grows back or not...

 

[CopeForLife]

without pics it is pointless

maybe u have generic male pattern baldness

 

[Johnmpb]

Exoclap,
I feel obligated to respond because I feel like I went through the same experience around your age. I'll give you some history and what has "helped" through the years. This is not medical advice. I am not saying we have the exact same issue, but hopefully some of this info will help you.

Around your age (14- around the age I went through puberty) my scalp became inflamed and flaky. I was on the swim/water polo team at school and attributed it to the chlorine and the constant shampooing. My family advised me to not wash my hair as much- just rinse in water and oil my scalp- BIG MISTAKE. If you have seborrheic dermatitis you likely already have an overabundance of sebum/oil on your scalp. It is theorized that the yeast naturally occurring on your scalp feed off this sebum. Your body's immune system reacts to this overgrowth of organisms and your scalp gets inflamed. I have tried tons of stuff both internally (supplements) and externally (shampoos, lotions, etc). I also believe seborrheic dermatitis runs in the family (my dad had a similar condition when he was younger). Even though doctors claim it doesn't cause hair loss, I believe if it is left untreated for too long it can exasperate hair loss if it is in your genes.

As a note, I also have psoriasis so I may have both conditions occurring at once (really sucks). Below is a list of things that has helped (usually temporarily) in the past (in no specific order):

-Making sure to get enough sleep (minimum 7 hrs per night)- try your best to sleep early. Go to bed at the same time every night so it becomes a habit. I'm not sure why this helps but it does. My theory is during sleep your body has time to repair itself including your immune system. When you are not resting, your body is out of whack as is your immune system/response to certain things. You easily become more stressed without enough rest.
-Nizoral shampoo left on for 5 mins- this kills the overgrowth of yeast on your scalp. This shampoo has also been proven to help hair loss.
-T/sal shampoo- salicylic acid removes the excess oils and dead skin on your scalp- like nizoral, leave on 5 mins
-Tea tree oil shampoo- this seems to kill both the yeast and helps in softening/removing scale on my scalp. I use giovanni tea tree triple treat shampoo. You can find it at Target or Walmart. Again, leave on for 5 mins. The menthol in this shampoo really provides a big punch and helps ease inflammation.
-T/gel shampoo seems to have helped too in the past but warning it literally smells like tar.
-De-stress your life as much as possible. For me, excess stress and anxiety immediately make my scalp inflamed and/or sore. Try to exercise and find other ways to de-stress. Work up a sweat.

rotate some shampoos til you get relief, sleep well, and limit stress. Try to have a good diet. I notice if I eat lots of oily/fried foods my skin/scalp get quite oily the next day.

Hope this info was helpful to you. I wish I would have had someone to help me when I was your age (or at least someone to give me legit advice). You seems like a bright kid. I wish you luck. I've been dealing with this issue for almost 18 years. I'm almost 32 now. Enjoy your youth my friend and don't let things like this consume you. Let me know if you have any questions.

 

[worm]

Exoclap,
I feel obligated to respond because I feel like I went through the same experience around your age. I'll give you some history and what has "helped" through the years. This is not medical advice. I am not saying we have the exact same issue, but hopefully some of this info will help you.

Around your age (14- around the age I went through puberty) my scalp became inflamed and flaky. I was on the swim/water polo team at school and attributed it to the chlorine and the constant shampooing. My family advised me to not wash my hair as much- just rinse in water and oil my scalp- BIG MISTAKE. If you have seborrheic dermatitis you likely already have an overabundance of sebum/oil on your scalp. It is theorized that the yeast naturally occurring on your scalp feed off this sebum. Your body's immune system reacts to this overgrowth of organisms and your scalp gets inflamed. I have tried tons of stuff both internally (supplements) and externally (shampoos, lotions, etc). I also believe seborrheic dermatitis runs in the family (my dad had a similar condition when he was younger). Even though doctors claim it doesn't cause hair loss, I believe if it is left untreated for too long it can exasperate hair loss if it is in your genes.

As a note, I also have psoriasis so I may have both conditions occurring at once (really sucks). Below is a list of things that has helped (usually temporarily) in the past (in no specific order):

-Making sure to get enough sleep (minimum 7 hrs per night)- try your best to sleep early. Go to bed at the same time every night so it becomes a habit. I'm not sure why this helps but it does. My theory is during sleep your body has time to repair itself including your immune system. When you are not resting, your body is out of whack as is your immune system/response to certain things. You easily become more stressed without enough rest.
-Nizoral shampoo left on for 5 mins- this kills the overgrowth of yeast on your scalp. This shampoo has also been proven to help hair loss.
-T/sal shampoo- salicylic acid removes the excess oils and dead skin on your scalp- like nizoral, leave on 5 mins
-Tea tree oil shampoo- this seems to kill both the yeast and helps in softening/removing scale on my scalp. I use giovanni tea tree triple treat shampoo. You can find it at Target or Walmart. Again, leave on for 5 mins. The menthol in this shampoo really provides a big punch and helps ease inflammation.
-T/gel shampoo seems to have helped too in the past but warning it literally smells like tar.
-De-stress your life as much as possible. For me, excess stress and anxiety immediately make my scalp inflamed and/or sore. Try to exercise and find other ways to de-stress. Work up a sweat.

rotate some shampoos til you get relief, sleep well, and limit stress. Try to have a good diet. I notice if I eat lots of oily/fried foods my skin/scalp get quite oily the next day.

Hope this info was helpful to you. I wish I would have had someone to help me when I was your age (or at least someone to give me legit advice). You seems like a bright kid. I wish you luck. I've been dealing with this issue for almost 18 years. I'm almost 32 now. Enjoy your youth my friend and don't let things like this consume you. Let me know if you have any questions.

I think this is similar to my story except zix, homemade zinc/b6 mix, nipped my seborrhea in the bud .