What in the $%^& happened to my hair??

[lennet93]

I think I may be dealing with a similar situation. That area was always pinkish, tender, and would get irritated easily. Also, dandruff tends to build up there more so than in other areas. It's turning into a bald spot from me scratching it so much, but I couldn't help picking at the flakes. Gross, I know. I made an appointment with a derm and will most likely transition (I'm already a couple of months post).

The thing though is that I had stretched for 15 months then decided to relax my hair this summer. It's then that things started to get worse.

That area is where I tend to have the most build up as well and scratch the most

 

[lennet93]

Thank you SO much for the replies ladies. I really appreciate it. I was a bit hesitant to post the pics because of how bad the area looks, I'll be honest, I was a little embarrassed I have made an appointment with my primary doc so he can give me a referral to the derm. Should I be putting anything on that area in the mean time, if so what should I use?

 

[lennet93]

Well, Platinum recommended something w/ sulphur (if you aren't allergic to it) and I agree. Traditionally, problems like yours have been treated w/ sulphur and/or pine tar. Glover's Dandruff Treatment may be a good product for you as a pre poo.

At the very least, I'd suggest investing in a bar of Grandpa's Pine Tar Soap. Grandpa's can do wonders. Don't panic just yet.

The medical treatments usually given for skin/hair issues are radical w/ tons of horrendous side effects. Try something more traditional 1st.[/QUOTE]

Thanks for mentioning this. I'm not familiar with these treatments and I would prefer to try natural first. I recall a few years back I was having some itchy scalp issues and the derm recommended pine tar shampoo, it really helped.

 

[Miamori]

I had a situation about 3 years ago of a bald spot the size of a quarter and then a half dollar in my nape. It was always red and sometimes itchy. The main think was that there were flakes. Not dandruff flakes, but giant skin flakes, like thing Dr. Evil from Austin Powers. The skin would die and darken then peel off.

I got it after my stylist relaxed me one day, and I think I had a scratch or something back there, like the skin was broken. So, it took my hair about two years to get over it, mostly from my basing that area very well, stretching longer, only relaxing it every now and again, etc. I also started massaging it frequently and keeping it moisturized. Once I joined the board and eventually switched to a new relaxer, it got better.

Anyway, I said all that to say that if you'd look back there now, you'd never know. The hair in the area is more fine and a slightly different texture, but there's no redness, itchiness, etc.

Also, my mother had something very similar this summer on the crown of her head. Hers did not itch, but she was balding SEVERELY and it was very red. Her spot was very, very large. She went to get a relaxer (she was natural and we'd recently removed her locs) and see my stylist when I advised her not to, but my stylist told her in great detail how bad the spot looked (I tried but apparently I must have been exaggerating) and gave her cinnamon oil and cinnamon essence. The second is basically cinnamon infused likka. I opened that thing up and it took me a whiiiiile to figure out that vodka smell was coming from that bottle. It worked wonders for my mom's head though.

Anyway, again, I said all that so you don't panic. I think there are a number of options and possible solutions. Like the other ladies said, you could start with something mostly organic and with a visit to the derm. I'm sure your hair will recover.

 

[Nuelle]

Thank you SO much for the replies ladies. I really appreciate it. I was a bit hesitant to post the pics because of how bad the area looks, I'll be honest, I was a little embarrassed I have made an appointment with my primary doc so he can give me a referral to the derm. Should I be putting anything on that area in the mean time, if so what should I use?

Thanks for posting the pics and starting this thread. It came right on time for me. My appointment is weeks away, so in the meantime, I'm using castor oil to encourage regrowth in that area. In the past, I've used keracare dry and itchy scalp poo and con and coconut and avocado oils, drunk a lot of water, washed my hair weekly, and taken flaxseed oil. My scalp was in the best condition then. I plan to go back to this regimen beginning next semester.

 

[Miamori]

Thanks for mentioning this. I'm not familiar with these treatments and I would prefer to try natural first. I recall a few years back I was having some itchy scalp issues and the derm recommended pine tar shampoo, it really helped.

Another suggestion is a cinnamon treatment. You could try straight cinnamon oil, or Espiritu de Canela (stronger - contains likka, but it works).

Also, there are Alter Ego's Cren drops and other hair drops. YOu could do a forum search for "alter ego drops" and "alter ego cren" I believe. I've heard good things about them - as in good results, and saw great reviews on Amazon some months ago.

 

[sunshinelady]

Thank you SO much for the replies ladies. I really appreciate it. I was a bit hesitant to post the pics because of how bad the area looks, I'll be honest, I was a little embarrassed I have made an appointment with my primary doc so he can give me a referral to the derm. Should I be putting anything on that area in the mean time, if so what should I use?

Yes, put aloe or an OTC cortisone cream in the area.Castor oil wouldn't hurt either, you need an anti-inflammatory.

 

[Ash25]

Hey! Im new...been look for weeks now...post pics and junk later

Same thing happend to me and I think I may have an ans as to why...

Do you use butters for your hair? Or oils with no preservatives?

If so, then that may be the problem...esp with the butters. Any bit of water that gets into the product can cause bacteria, mold, fungus, and yeast to grow. You then put the product on your scalp (wit all the bacteria, mold fungus, and/or yeast), scratch and presto! Nasty, itchy, sore, balding scalp!!

Once I learned that I throw all my butters away and started fresh. Washed with a shampoo that had, neem oil, tea tree oil, and MSM. I also made and oil of my own...coconut oil, neem, lavender, tea tree and eucalyptus (water free).

It got better and my hair is growing back...i also took some stuff that kills them suckers from the inside out....ACV, Pau d Arco (spell?)

Def see a doc....and keep your organic products bacteria, mold, fungus, and yeast free

 

[lennet93]

Hey! Im new...been look for weeks now...post pics and junk later

Same thing happend to me and I think I may have an ans as to why...

Do you use butters for your hair? Or oils with no preservatives?

If so, then that may be the problem...esp with the butters. Any bit of water that gets into the product can cause bacteria, mold, fungus, and yeast to grow. You then put the product on your scalp (wit all the bacteria, mold fungus, and/or yeast), scratch and presto! Nasty, itchy, sore, balding scalp!!

Once I learned that I throw all my butters away and started fresh. Washed with a shampoo that had, neem oil, tea tree oil, and MSM. I also made and oil of my own...coconut oil, neem, lavender, tea tree and eucalyptus (water free).

It got better and my hair is growing back...i also took some stuff that kills them suckers from the inside out....ACV, Pau d Arco (spell?)

Def see a doc....and keep your organic products bacteria, mold, fungus, and yeast free

I've been using Jane Carter Nourish and shine as my moisturizer and jbco on my scalp once in a while. I'm not sure if they have preservatives or not. Thanks for the response.

 

[Ash25]

Hope all is well with your scalp!!! Hows it doin?

 

[Nuelle]

Hi Lennet. Did you ever find out what the issue was with your scalp?

The results of my scalp biopsy are in and it seems like it's ringworm. I've been prescribed some tablets, and plan to use oils like castor, coconut, and tea tree to treat the area. I need to find some anti-fungal shampoo and conditioner.