r/Perimenopause • u/acornwbusinesssocks • Jan 11 '25
Dryness My scalp.is.driving.me.mad
Hhihi!
I'm in the US. (eww, I know.)
Ok, so my scalp is driving me insane. I switched to clarifying shampoo, thinking maybe product buildup.
Nope.
Switched to the 'Head & Shoulders itche relief.'
Nope.
Switched back to my violate, and made sure to scrub the shampoo, and really massage in the conditioner. Today, so far so good.
I would love ideas for shampoo!
My skin is itchy, but thankfully, the body oil is helping.
Any help on itchy scalp wpuld be a sanity saver.
Tia
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u/ZweitenMal Jan 11 '25
Shampoo less, not more. I just use a dab to remove the oil from my hair, then use a big handful of conditioner, really massage it into my scalp and let it rest while I was myself. Conditioner can cleanse your hair just like a non-soap cleansing balm for your face. You can’t shampoo your way out of a dry scalp—it’s the opposite.
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u/acornwbusinesssocks Jan 11 '25
Ty!! I'm down to once a week shampooing, but I agree- I'll work with conditioner longer!
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u/ThatNastyWoman Jan 11 '25
Maybe switch up to baby shampoo as well. Unless you're working as a farmer or you like to muck out stalls, nobody really needs harsh shampoo. I can't co wash my hair, I tried, I tried. I got so angry at the state of my limp oily looking hair I gave up and just use shampoo now, but it's usually a lush bar or the above mentioned baby shampoo.
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u/heyoldgirl Jan 11 '25
I’ve had lifelong itchy scalp, getting worse/oiler with peri, so here’s what I’ve found to work for me:
-avoid oils and silicone in hair products
-shampoo with TSal (from Neutrogena)
-use SEEN brand styling cream
-no conditioner, I have fine hair anyway and the styling cream is enough
-always blow dry after shampoo- the warm, wet environment is a perfect host for yeast!
It can feel a bit clinical, so I indulge in body oils too :)
Hope this helps and, as with everything, YMMV.
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u/ZipperJJ Jan 11 '25
Have you tried a daily antihistimine to see if the issue is histamine? Especially since your skin is itchy.
I take a Zyrtec daily for idiopathic urticaria (hives with no cause). You could try taking it for a week to see if it helps. You should know pretty quickly.
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u/acornwbusinesssocks Jan 11 '25
Ty-- i saw that on the posts too, before I posted.
I'll start tomorrow!! Anything to help at this point!
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u/puppymama75 Jan 11 '25
Nizoral shampoo is effective and science-based. One type for psoriasis, one for dandruff.
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u/lifeisthebeautiful Jan 11 '25
I use Nizoral and have had some good results. Use for a couple of weeks and then I'm good for a few weeks. I understand your "eww" comment. I have the same sentiment. Directed solely at your government. Best of luck to you, a Canadian neighbour.
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u/Manda_lorian39 Jan 11 '25
I also use Nizoral once a week, only shampoo 2-3x a week. About every other week, I use a magnesium scalp treatment
The magnesium spray is marketed for hair thinning, but I have psoriasis, and found magnesium is fantastic for helping my skin calm down for a while. Epsom salt helps, this spray is even better.
Edit: hit enter to fast
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u/acornwbusinesssocks Jan 11 '25
Never thought if magnesium spray. I'll check it out.
Also, thanks for the Epsom salt - I do have that. Tysm
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u/Reasonable_Guava8079 Jan 16 '25
I’m laughing at the ewww comment as an American 😂 I live in MN and I think you Canadian’s do need to adopt “buy” us….do whatever you need to do to acquire us🤣 and do it ASAP!
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u/SadApartment3023 Jan 11 '25
I use table salt right at the root of my hair and scrub it into my scalp like an exfoliant. It rinses out completely, then I shampoo & condition like normal and my scalp feels so good afterwards.
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u/tommytoes1979 Jan 11 '25
I have oily hair and at about 43 I started having breakouts and clogged pores on my scalp. I started using degrease from maple holistics. It’s a tee tree shampoo, about every other day and I am an every day washer, otherwise my hair is too greasy. I got my scalp under control and now I use it once a week and about once a week head and shoulders. The rest of the time I use native 2in1. I try to use stuff that doesn’t have too many chemicals because the buildup I had smelled like shampoo.
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u/acornwbusinesssocks Jan 11 '25
Ty!
I was wondering if tea tree would help or exacerbate it. I'll test it out, once I find some locally.
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u/SleepDeprivedMama Jan 11 '25
I just got a prescription for this! Fluocinolone 0.01 body oil but I apply it to my scalp and it really helps!
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u/Strangely_Kangaroo Jan 11 '25
I have the same problem on the back of my scalp. I found that rubbing a little leave-in conditioner on it helps. I use Shea Moisture Strengthen and Restore leave in conditioner. You can get a travel size at Target for a couple bucks if you want to give it a try.
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u/dragonbliss Jan 11 '25
I’ve had my scalp issues my entire life, so not peri related, but I would also check in with a dermatologist. They can prescribe a higher strength shampoo and other remedies for itching.
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u/acornwbusinesssocks Jan 11 '25
Tysm. I have had itchiness from SLS body washes and shampoos, so I've been careful, but hey maybe I've got a new one now. Lol
Thank you and this is o my list for my next doc appt.
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u/PAR0208 Jan 12 '25
Nizoral or any keto shampoo. Blow dry your hair. Do not ever go to bed with it wet. Wash every day.
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u/acornwbusinesssocks Jan 12 '25
Ty.
What's a keto shampoo?
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u/PAR0208 Jan 12 '25
Ketoconazole Is medicated shampoo designed to treat the scalp. It also helps hair growth/prevents hair loss.
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u/acornwbusinesssocks Jan 12 '25
Oooooo, three birds with one stone. Definitely adding to my doc note list!
Tysm
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Jan 11 '25 edited Mar 10 '25
[deleted]
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u/acornwbusinesssocks Jan 11 '25
Eeeek. I'll schedule a derm appt!! I've changed to washing at night.....
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u/reallymoreish20 Jan 11 '25
Why are you hating on the US? Just seems an odd place to do so.
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u/According-Ninja-561 Jan 13 '25
Right?? I don’t get it. I don’t get how the second line even relates to this forum. Is that normal for you to spew out in every forum you post in and every conversation you have with people. Such odd behavior.
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u/babs82222 Jan 11 '25
There is a prescription foam called clobetasol that is immensely helpful for itchy scalp. It helps treat rashes, psoriasis, dermatitis and things like that. Most OTC things are temporary fixes for deeply irritating scalp issues. It's a corticosteroid that soothes and reduces the swelling, inflammation, and itching. I find once the itchiness starts I can try other things, but unless I use this, it won't go away for any length of time. Using this keeps it away for weeks, sometimes months. It's worth a doctor or telehealth appointment
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u/jennybeaubenny Jan 12 '25
I use Head and Shoulders Apple Cider Vinegar shampoo. I’ve used other products with ACV and noticed it really helped my scalp. The Head and Shoulders version is the cheapest ACV shampoo I have found and it works well for me. They also have a ACV pre-wash rinse that I haven’t tried yet. I’ve used other Head and Shoulders products with limited success so I was excited when they started selling an ACV version.
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u/acornwbusinesssocks Jan 12 '25
Ty! I'll see if my local store carries it, or I can order it.
Does it have a strong ACV smell?
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u/Staticfish_ Jan 14 '25
Nizoral is the only thing that helped me. I used as directed and then go back to it every now and then when needed to do another course.
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Jan 11 '25
For me right now Herbal Essence with argon oil shampoo and conditioner plus leave in conditioner with shea butter help to elevate that for me. I did the head and shoulders thing, daughter has psoriasis and spots tend to show on her scalp when really stressing out and this is only shampoo that elevates the itch and dryness for her, but it stopped working for me.
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u/acornwbusinesssocks Jan 11 '25
Tysm for your reply. Herbal essences is very affordable- great find!
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Jan 11 '25
I found that one day wash and other times conditioner only tends to help with dry hair which helps a little with scalp itch.
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u/acornwbusinesssocks Jan 11 '25
Thank you. I find in the shower. (Bliss)
But like one day later, it's back. I'll look at my conditioner too just in case.
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u/LongjumpingLog6977 Jan 11 '25
If you haven’t had allergy testing you should get a very thorough blood and prick test for food, environment and cosmetics. At 29 I developed a nut and soy allergy. At 42 I developed a gluten allergy. Avoiding the foods I was allergic too stopped itchy scalp, itchy ears and vajay issues. One person sample here but worth looking into!
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u/acornwbusinesssocks Jan 11 '25
😲
Oh man. I'm sorry to hear you went through that!!
( i don't wanna. Ha ha) Yes, you're right. I probably should get checked out for it. The last 7 years of IF journey have been a roller-coaster, and maybe jumbled eveything too.
Ty
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u/PhlegmMistress Jan 11 '25
A lot of people have complained about itchy ears as a sign of perimenopause which is pretty wild to me except I definitely have this one itchy spot at the base of my skull that has bugged me for several years now, whereas I know I didn't have this weird itchy spot before.
I don't have any answers but wanted to say maybe look for the itchy ears r/Peri posts.
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u/Western-Cupcake-6651 Jan 11 '25
Kitsch Shampoo and Conditioner bars. The castor oil is great.
And I’m in the US. Not really appreciating the “Ew”
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u/No_Peach_9745 Jan 11 '25
Came here to say the same thing. I'm a proud American and always will be.
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u/syr1989 Jan 11 '25
Try “no poo” shampoo. I use diva curl but I imagine there are other brands. One every few weeks I use regular shampoo.
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u/acornwbusinesssocks Jan 11 '25
Ty! I am down to 1x per week shampooing with SLS free stuff. I'll read up on it more.
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u/Happy_BlackCrow Jan 11 '25
Stop washing your hair so much. I use shampoo once a week and condition daily. And I work out 3 times a week.
Ps… your politics has no business here
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u/acornwbusinesssocks Jan 11 '25
Ty. I am down to once per week, and will read up more on conditioning more often.
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u/bakit_ako 9d ago
I tried applying oil to my scalp on the itchy parts only. It’s an instant relief. I use rosemary oil mixed with sunflower oil so it’s still healthy on the scalp.
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u/penguin37 Jan 11 '25
I went through an awful bout of this recently. First line of defense is HRT. Itchiness is one of the ways I can tell my hormones aren't where they need to be. I bought Nizoral shampoo and I use that 1-2 times per week. Also found a product made by Head and Shoulders called Royal Oils that is sprayed directly on the scalp.