OK, I know this sounds weird, but about 10 months ago I developed red, itchy patches around my scalp and aggressive, unrelenting dandruff that even the dermatologist's prescription didn't completely control. Now that I've been on Plaq. and MTX for my autoimmune issues, the dandruff has stopped and only a few red patches remain at my hairline. Could there be a connection? Has this happened to anyone else?
Finally, is there any way to get e-mail notification of responses to posts or do I have to just keep checking in to see if there's anything new? Thanks everyone!
Hey! I just read the other day about mtx helping w/ certain skin disorders. I think it was at About.com. Interesting stuff.
I think it is in settings somewhere that you can be notified of responses to your posts. Since I have no life I just keep checking in lol.
I have no clue about mtx and skin disorders but I would check out the article on about.com that monk talked about.
Gramma LOL I'm like you. I just keep coming back to see what's new. MTX is used for psoriasis so it's not a stretch it would help with dandruff.Hi Jesse,
I have psoriatic arthritis and my psoriasis has only ever appeared on my scalp (which I think is quite common). I got patches of skin that were red and sore and very itchy with plaques of flaky skin on top. It used to itch so bad that I's wake up with blood on my pillow from scratching in my sleep. The MTX has got rid of the psoriasis completely - apparently it's one of the more pleasant side effects that you can get! I know that psoriasis and seborrheic (sp) dermatitis on the scalp look almost identical so it could be a mis-diagnosis or it could be that the dermatitis is also controlled by MTX - either way at least you're getting a beneficial effect form the meds...
KT
Hi Jesse, it sounds like you may have psoriasis and mtx does help that condition to a point. I guess that a lot of our meds help other diseases as well. If my memory serves me right I think that plaquenil was used for malaria and mtx is used for part of the chemo treatment for cancer. At least you have one condition under control and that's a good feeling. I hope that the trend continues for you. Thanks for your responses. I was a little embarrased to bring it up with the RD but I feel comfortable telling my "board buddies" 'cause you've been through so much and probably don't laugh at anyone's weird symptoms. Bless your hearts!Your rd should not be laughing either. They learn from us too. They only know what we tell them about many things that have no tests or measure.Jesse, you may need a refferal from your RD to a dermatologist. There is a great mouse type steriod based stuff that will help with your Psoriasis. You also need to show him, because my RA levels are borderline too, but when I started to reveal all of the psoriasis, my RD said, hmmm. We have active psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, which presents much the same, but untreated can ruin your eyes PDQ. Take care and go for the dermatologist and talk to him about Psoriatic arthritis. The treatments are the same. Whoa, Shelly I had no idea it was that serious and I assumed the meds I'm taking for the autoimmune issues would protect me as well, especially since they seem to have cured my dandruff and only some red spots remain. I'll be sure to mention this to my RD. I was going to sort of skip that part in case he would think I'm some sort of hypochondriac, lumping everything that happens to me to the "disease." Thanks a bunch!!