Reader Help: Beyond Head and Shoulders

By Elisabeth

About three years ago, after I had my second child, I started to notice some dryness around my hairline/part in my hair. I noticed it when I went to scratch my head and THINGS FELL FROM IT AND LANDED ON MY LAP. I had never experienced dry skin other than having a dryer-skinned complexion, so I had no idea what on earth was causing it nor how to treat it.

I figured it was a hormonal thing. 9 months in, 9 months out, then all hell breaks lose, but I wasn't certain. I did go and buy a bottle of the always dependable Head and Shoulders and tried to exterminate the horrid flakes. (WAAAH.)

I am not sure if the shampoo cured me, or I got a handle on my two-kid life and started washing my hair more often, but the flakes tapered off, or went away and life moved on.

Last Spring I had my 3rd and final baby and have been hit by the dryness again. Yes, 9 months after birth even! What I want to know from you is this,

Has this happened to you before? Is this, in fact, *whispers* DANDRUFF, or is it some other skin condition entirely? Shampoo build-up, perhaps?

Suggestions on how to treat it besides the blue wonder sludge?

My hair needs your help!!

(I did read somewhere that Omega-3s help with dry skin and I did stop taking them around the 9-month mark after birth...hmmm.)

 

{photo credit: amazon.com}

Comments

[meaghan]

Oh my gosh. I have had this off and on through adulthood. I have self-diagnosed myself with some sort of psoriasis, which runs in my family and seems to have some connection to arthritis/osteoporosis later in life. But, since I moved a few years ago and haven't consistently seen a dermatologist, I can't tell you if that is the true problem. I've been pregnant or nursing since 2008, so I also don't know what the real scalp situation is anymore, but my scalp was terrible back in 2006/7.

Anyhow, what works best for me is this medicine a dr. prescribed some years ago - Clobetasol Propionate topical solution. But it is a no no while nursing (and I assume pregnancy) so I haven't been able to use it for the past four years. So in the interim I do lots of things - Scalpicin hydrocortisone solution, coal tar shampoos and sometimes baking power mixed in with my shampoo. Those help to some extent, but don't take care of it completely.

I will say, since I started taking Fish Oil and Vitamin D with regularity (in early 2010), I notice that it comes and goes less frequently and the dry/scabby spells are less intense. But, with all the hormonal stuff that goes on with babies...it's hard to say what if anything is the root cause of all of this.

Hope that helps!

[Megan]

After my third baby I found myself caught off guard by dandruff! Now that I am done nursing her, it seems to be calming down as my hormones regulate themselves again.

[Sarah Lena]

Both I and my son have this flaky scalp that is more eczema-based than dandruff-based. We both swear by Neutrogena's T-Gel shampoo (or a generic - Target has one). It's pine tar based, and we just use it once a week and it keeps both of us clear.

[Carrisa]

I started suffering from this about three years ago. At first H&S worked for me, then stopped. It seems like each time I switch to another store brand dandruff shampoo, it works for a little while and then stops. The best thing ever was Pureology's Scalp Cure, but it's crazy expensive. I only tried it because my sister is licensed and I was able to get it at her cost. I'm currently using Head & Shoulder's Clinical Strength shampoo and it works. It just leaves your hair smelling not good so after I rinse it out I go back over it with another shampoo that smells better. And then I use Aussie's 3 Minute Miracle conditioner. I've been on this regimen for about two months now and have been doing well. I also started taking Biotin about three months ago. Maybe that has helped some.

[J]

I take all kinds of vitamins, including biotin and omegas, and I still struggle with this. I use Aveda scalp therapy, but it isn't working that well. Apple cider vinegar seems to help, but it leaves me smelling like salad. My next experiment is going to be coconut oil. I read on the "internetz" that it kills the fungus that causes dandruff. I will be reading to see if others have ideas, as I am afraid the oil will make my hair extremely greasy.

[C]

Zinc helps my scalp. Try it!

[Shea]

This sounds crazy, but - listerine!!! Take some and after you shampoo and such, pour it on your scalp, let it sit, and then rinse. It will tingle, but with help with itchy scalps and dandruff!!! This has been a secret my mom and I have used for years, and just the other day I heard Dr. Oz mention it as well. Give it a try...and yes, it will tingle a little while it's on your head!! :-)