Hey

This is a yucky question, sorry.


INFO: A few months ago I came off the contraceptive pill. I had originally been put on them in my early teens to correct an androgen problem (I had excess body hair and seriously bad acne) until I recently discovered that I was having a bad reaction to them 'internally', but that isn't the issue here. Since coming off the pill my mother has said the hair on my body looks more noticeble and I have noticed my acne returning... I get it badly on my upper back, shoulders, chest and the back of my neck. However I have recently had a really itchy and painful scalp, there are lots of little lumpy sores on it with 'heads' I find myself absent mindedly picking off (bad I know!). It isn't visible through my hair but when I run my fingers through it it feels like there's sugar on my scalp and if I examine it closely I see lots of little white flecks - worryingly similar to headlice!! I had my mother look closely and see says she doesn't see any lice and its more like dandruff, but I can feel 'pimple-type things'. I currently use T/Gel shampoo (coal tar shampoo designed to releave irritation, it isn't working!) and Aussie Real Volume conditioner just on the ends of my hair.

QUESTION: Why am I so disgusting? Haha, sorry. Can anyone tell me what is wrong with my scalp, is scalp acne a new pain to add to my list or does it sound like something else? Can anyone recommend a treatment? Also, can anyone recommend anything good for treating general acne problems? (I think I'm going to make a question post specifically for my chest acne as its slightly different and an ailment unto itself, *sigh* I like myself more each time I think about it). I am 20, eat healthily and drink plenty of water, use dove soap and shower regularly.

Thank you for your time and any help you can offer.

My boyfriend has the same problem with his scalp. I got him a balancing type shampoo (I think by tresame) and tea tree oil conditioner. That usually helps but sometimes it still gets bad. When it gets bad I have to put acne medicine and neosporin on his head and then he'll sleep with that and sometimes even jojoba oil and wash it out in the morning. That combination seems to work really well for him.

I just got a bad allergic reaction to a black hair dye. I had to do to the dermatologist for a cortizone shot. Do you have an itchy scalp? Is your scalp wet like an open wound? Do you have lumps under your skin on the back of your had and neck?

If so go buy a Peppermint Oil based leave in conditioner and leave it on your hair after you shower. It will help you make it through the night without itching. You can leave it in during the day to if you wear a head wrap or bandana.

And call a dermatologist to get a shot. My reaction took over a week in a half to develop so catch it before it gets worse.

Thanks for the advice folks but I went to my Doc and she said I was most likely right suspecting it is just my acne spreading and she gave me some anti biotics 'Erythromycin'. I've been taking them twice a day for about a week and a half and already have noticed a marked improvement - certainly on my scalp.

Thanks!

I wouldn't think antibiotics for acne. I would say you have psoriasis and it got infected.

But I'm not a doctor. If that's what your doc said. Then I can't argue :) I'm glad you got it figured :)

i wouldnt think antibiotics for acne. i would say you have psoriasis and it got infected.

but im not a doctor. if thats what your doc said. then i can't argue :) im glad you got it figured :)

It definitely wasn't psoriasis, my mother gets that with stress as does a friend of mine and it is quite different to what I was suffering with. I had been recommended anti biotics for my chest/back acne but had avoided them up until now, wish I'd tried them sooner!

Thanks again folks.