Itchy scalp. Wtf is the cause?

[hexedd]

Hey all,

Basically since I started on propecia and nizoral my scalp is always itchy and sometimes it hurts in certain areas. Should I assume that this is male pattern baldness effects or the side effects of the regimen I'm using? I don't want to just stop using either because I've been on them for about a year and the results, while not exactly what I wanted, are somewhat pleasing in the sense that the only minor recession has been at the sides. The top seems to be doing ok still. Would anyone recommend anything for me to use? I use Dove shampoo which is supposed to be good for moisturizing. Has anyone else had this problem and solved it with over the counter stuff?

 

[misterium]

BUMP,

This sounds exactly like me, other than the time on my regimen and I don't use Dove.

My shampoo rotation consists of nizoral 1% 1 - 2x weekly, 1x weekly T/Gel (stubborn itch formula.. I leave nizoral and t/gel on for 3 - 5 minutes).. and the other times of the week I use an emu oil brand shampoo, a wal-mart pro-vitamin generic conditioner, and sometimes avalon organics brand tea tree & mint shampoo, I also like Mane & Tail brand conditioner.

I don't know if maybe I should knock out the nizoral and T/Gel for a few weeks to 'isolate' the itch spots, but it sounds like a possible idea. Maybe I need different shampoos/conditioners in my rotation?

I also agree only after starting propecia was I getting the mildly tender spots on the crown/vertex (my only thinning area) and annoying itch spots, which are random in their annoyance.

Anyway the tenderness is well under control after months of my routine, however I still get that annoying itch around the back and top, just a spot or two here and there throughout the day.. but the crown/vertex definately has a more 'sensitive' feel to it when I rub a hand gently through my hair.. it just seems that since the DHT has been 'attacked' by finasteride, that the areas are "getting used to" their new environment.. at least I think that's what it's all about since I didn't have any noticable itch problems before taking my daily dose of finasteride.

 

[global]

With me it was the opposite, I had much more itching before taking Propecia (now on dutasteride).

I believe that itching is caused by inflammation from the DHT attacking the hair follicles.

You could try alternating the nizoral with NANO shampoo which contains anti-inflammatory SOD's. Or even get Proxiphen-N which also contains SOD's.

 

[Guest]

I've read some stuff about the itchy, one theory is that its the chemical reactions of DHT on the surface of your scalp, hense itching in where your thinning. This sounds about right to me.