I have this and have had it since my RA has become active again when I was 17. I have treated it many of times. Longest I have went without it was a couple of years, but now I have it again.
I do not respond well to the shampoo treatment, but respond well to the oral meds, but they only keep it gone for like 6 months at most then it comes back.
Anyone else have this?
Joonie,
Dandruff is most often caused by an inflammatory response to an overgrowth of scalp fungus which causes itching and scaling. When this is the case, good results may be obtained by adding a few drops of GSE to one’s regular shampoo, leave on for 3 – 5 minutes.
Itchy Scalp and Dandruff: Add (?) drops grapefruit seed extract to itching scalp each shampoo. Mix in hand or on head with shampoo. Message into scalp and leave on for at least 2 minutes. Rinse thoroughly. Note: May be used without shampoo (?) drops grapefruit seed extract per cup water rub into scalp and let dry. A spray bottle would be handy for this! Read more itchy scalp.
Go here, it's worth a try, stranger things have happened.
http://www.pureliquidgold.com/the_reasons_for_itchy_scalp.ht m
LEV
Joonie, I get it. Not dandruff, but the spots. The dandruff shampoo works well on mine and takes it away after maybe a week or so.Yeah... that is what it is. I get it on my back, neck, chest, and now on my fingers... because my hands sweat even when I am cold.
I was just wondering if anyone else had it. It seems that it is a yeats overgrowth of the skin. And I remember reading something Pip! or Gimpy posted about yeast over-growth.
I hate it... it annoys me. It does not itch anymore it is just that it is ugly and hard to get rid of.
I am trying to remember what pill the dermotologiest gave me like 6 years back that made it go away for a couple of years. But I cannot remember. My RD wanted to know so she could RX it for me.
Thanks for the replies everyone
What causes tinea versicolor?
Tinea versicolor is caused by a fungus that lives in the skin of almost all adults. This fungus exists in two forms, one of which causes visible spots. Factors that can cause the fungus to become more visible include high humidity and immune or hormone abnormalities. However, almost all people with this very common condition are perfectly healthy.
Because the tinea versicolor fungus is part of the normal adult skin, this condition is not contagious. It often recurs after treatment, but usually not right away.
When tinea versicolor produces lighter-colored spots, it may take up to several months for the color to even out between skin areas that are affected and not affected. It always eventually does, however. Tinea versicolor does not leave permanent skin discoloration.
Joonie, the med was probably ketoconazole.I am not sure if I am taking anything tough on the liver right now.
I would rather take oral meds to clear it up. I just do not want to have to bother hubby with helping me with a topical treatment. I might ask for topical for future use to use when it starts to come back to catch it before it gets to the point it is at now.
Thanks for the name of the meds, Jasmine and the information. I will add it on my list-o-complaints.
My hubby uses the sulfide shampoo, Head & Shoulders in the blue bottle. I use it ever so often, but I cannot reach my back and some spots I have scrubbed for a week straight with the shampoo, and nothing... still there. The dermatologist told me to use head & shoulders in the blue bottle. But it never worked well.
LOL Joonie I can't believe you've never smelled a telephone pole.Yeah, I was wondering the same thing about Mo.
How long does it take the pills to get rid of it and how long will it stay away?
Seems like when I took the pill it was completely gone in a month and did not return for a couple of years.
My spots are dark brown, so it would not take much to make them disappear once the meds kick in, because I tan easily. But when I tan myself when it is active they are light pink and you can see them if I tan.
I remember when it use to itch. Especially my back, it would drive me crazy! Now, I do not itch, which is a good thing. But still would like to get rid of it, and RD said we needed to get it cleared up. So... let's see how it goes.
Joonie - if you have this then you probably have systemic yeast. I don't mean to scare you - but DO NOT get on a biologic until you are 10000000% sure you are not systemic yeast! I can post studies showing how candida albicans (big bad) can kill you when your system is suppressed. It makes the yeast run out of control. There is a lot of research saying that we are sick because of 'hyperpermeable gut linings' and if you go to Google Images you can see Candida Albicans poking thru peoples intestines. It's how come we can get flares from what we eat. (my opinion from my research people - really not trying to freak anybody out).
One pill may not do it. You need to think about adding probiotics (good bacteria to help offset the bad or Candida). And maybe trying Lev's Grapefruit Seed Extract internally too. When I started that I 'herxed' meaning, to me and my way of AP thinking, I got a little worse until it helped kill off some of the stuff inside.
Please, I'm not trying to be a jerk. I just got worried.
Pip
[QUOTE=moana] Isn't that the stuff that smells like a telephone pole?
I'm sorry.........but that's the weirdest sh*t I've ever read on this forum. Hands down.
Ever ever.
*shakes her head*
No, Pip! it was not diflucan. It seems like it was what Jasmine mentioned. I do not get many yeast infections. I think I had 1 in like 3 years. None since I had my son.
I had this when I was on Humira. When I took Arava, MTX and all those other meds. So... it is interesting what you say about it being systemic yeast. Maybe that is why RD was so concerned to clreaing it up. I just could not remember what the med was called I took. She would have RXed it for me the first visit if I would have remembered what it was called.
Just be careful, OK?
Pip