Continuing my journey to cure this pain.
It’s a recurring nightmare for me. You think you’re ok for a day and the next you’re back to square one, feeling sorry for yourself about those crazy itches and flakes you find on your hands after moisturising your hair.
And everyday I wish I didn’t have this problem but I do and so I have to live with it for the rest of my life. It will come and go, like it has many times in the past. It will either drive me nuts or I won’t even notice that I have it (that feeling has to be the greatest).
Hair loss isn’t even the problem anymore. It’s that terrible itch, the inflamed hair follicles and crawling sensation on your scalp. Oh the joys of seborrheic dermatitis. It’s really hard to keep quiet about it and not complain.
Here I explain my diagnosis and what I was given to treat it.
I’ve been using Nizoral since May and I have had minimum luck with it. I admit that at first I wasn’t regular with it (using only 1x a week), but then I did start getting regular and then I incorporated some ayurvedic washes as well. This and Nizoral did diddlysquat for me.
I went to the doc last week and she told me that I should use Capasal again.
This is it. My doc said it should work. I’m so optimistic (not).
I’ve used that shampoo for years. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. In fact, when I stayed away from these medicated shampoos, my issues were nearly non-existent. These medicated shampoos dry out my scalp, but… that’s what they’re supposed to do, right?
Aloe vera gel has been helpful (sometimes) in soothing itches.
I’ve used aloe vera gel to soothe my itchy scalp multiple times and that has worked for the most part. It deals with the itchiness there and then but hours later it changes. I may use it again to deal with it, I really don’t know.
I don’t baggy anymore either and I had to drop out of the GHE challenge because the moisture from the bag would make my scalp itch like crazy. So any bag over the head is a complete no no for me.
As for handling hair? It is becoming painful to handle my hair some days because the follicles hurt so much sometimes. I feel as if I’m going to rip that bit of my hair out of my scalp because it is just that painful. I’m very tender headed these days, so I’ve mostly kept my hair braided so that I don’t have to handle it on a daily basis.
I am still struggling to get this seb derm under control. Honestly, I don’t think I will any time soon. I’ve attempted to change my diet to a much more healthier one without any success (lack of willpower, motivation, alternatives etc).
Not 100% effective but better used with the shampoo.
But what’s been very helpful? An applicator bottle with oil and drops of essential oils. Apply that to scalp hours before, wash off with medicated shampoo and it does make a difference for me. My scalp is still itchy but not as bad. Some days are better than others (like with most things in life).
The essential oils I’m using. Available at The Goody Box UK.
At the moment I am trying coconut oil with drops of tea tree/peppermint/rosemary essential oils in the applicator bottle. I will apply to my scalp before washing but also if it’s itchy. That or aloe vera gel or coconut oil if my scalp is itchy.
However, I need to attempt something dramatic and fast. I’ve been told by a friend that Synalar Gel is effective seb derm (but it’s prescription only). My plan is to get my doctor to write me a prescription for it. But I am not looking forward to traveling to my GP who is around an hour away. While I’m there I may as well ask for a GP transfer closer to home so that I can go to the doctor near damn everyday to get this under control.
What is my plan at the moment?
- Wash twice a week with Capasal (or as required)
- Prepoo with coconut oil and drops of rosemary/peppermint/tea tree essential oil
- After washing, apply virgin coconut oil to my damp scalp
- Every other day spritz hair with water and glycerin and seal with a butter
I’m going to do this for thirty days before I give up or until I see the doctor. Whichever comes first.
Diet wise, I’m attempting to drink a lot more water and have a much more healthier and balanced diet overall. Less coffee, more water. Less bad food, more good food.
I’m aiming to stay out of stressful situations but it’s easier said than done.
Having this does not help if your confidence or self esteem is pretty low. I’m blessed with thick hair so I can actually hide thinning or bald areas with my hair through bunning my hair or just braiding it close to my scalp.
My go to style at the moment. Other styles look awful.
I’ve accepted that I may not be able to grow my hair back… or that I may live with this for another five years and then find something that works. Hair is slowly becoming of less importance to me. I still take care of my hair though. I still deep condition, wash, protective style etc., but I don’t try new things anymore… I’m not happy when doing my hair… I don’t feel excited about my hair.
Instead of hurting myself by looking at what my hair used to be or what it could be, I’m focusing on the now. It just keeps me sane. I have refrained myself from watching YouTube videos about hair. I don’t frequent hair blogs or forums. It hurts that I am not able to live a happy life without itching scalp and with wonderful natural hair that I can style daily and show off. It really knocks your confidence, it really does.
But this is my reality right now. I feel very vulnerable as I’m finishing off this post. But this is my update. Sadly it won’t be my last one either.
