Still, Itching

[SDguy]

Hey Guys,
I posted a while back writing about considerable itching. I am on propecia, and use minoxidil once a day before I go to bed. During my first post, I was using nizoral 2x a week and T-gel 3x a week. Many of you suggested this could lead to overdrying, so I cut down to nizoral 1-2x a week and T-Gel rarely. My head still ITCHES LIKE CRAZY! I find myself waking up scratching feverishly at my scalp. Does anyone have any more suggestions? It seems mostly caused by the minoxidil, because its not nearly as bad when I stop using that for a few days. But also this problem seems to have become more noticable when I moved houses (hard water vs soft water?). Or maybe there are minerals in the water at my new house?
I'm going crazy, any suggestions greatly appreciated
I worried that itching the scalp may be worse then the benefits of using the minoxidil...

 

[misterium]

bump!

 

[cook'n'milkies]

well, I know I have hard water in my house and If i wash my hair in the shower I find my irritation is much worse. For now, until I get this problem alleviated I wash my hair seperately in some brita filtered water.

 

[jfrank]

how do you know if the water u are using is hard water?

 

[Axon]

Could definetly be the PPG in the minoxidil. What brand are you using? Store bought UpJohn?

Rogaine made my scalp itch like a motherfucker.

 

[joeb]

I had the same itch when I first started... drove me frickin nuts. I woke up in the morning with scabs on my scalp from scrathing in my sleep. I found a very simple treatment that worked immediately for me: American Crew Revitalize Spray Solution. I applied 1.5ml via a dropper directly to my scalp after my hair completely dried after a shower. That was the end of it. When it starts to flare up a bit (pretty rare) I apply some.... gone! try it. joeb

 

[SDguy]

American Crew?

Thanks for the help guys - I will definately try the American Crew stuff. I am using Rogaine (brand name). I didn't realize there was a difference in minoxidil... should I try something else?
To answer the hard water question - water is "hard" when there are substantial calcium (and other minerals) deposits in the water. Unless you have a water softener, your water is at least somewhat hard. A water softener replaces the calcium ions with sodium ions, making your water "soft" . Hair lathers better, etc with soft water. Unfortunately I live in a rental house and am only 24, so I can't really afford to put a softener on the house...
Thanks again guys!
Tyler