Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by MJ on July 15, 2014 at 6:14pm

Jenny,
I have been prescribed Ketaconazole shampoo, which is supposed to help with inflammation. I was instructed to shampoo with it at least 3 times per week. I usually shampoo every other day.
MJ

Permalink Reply by Classical Anne in NC mountains on July 15, 2014 at 6:24pm

Hi Jenny, I wondered the same thing, and finally remembered to ask my dermatologist.  My hairdresser had said maybe go longer between shampoos to protect what's still there.  But my derm said NO, just the opposite.  We need to keep the follicles and sebaceous glands as clean as possible, because any build-up of natural oils and dirt is more likely to clog and negatively impact the health of remaining hairs. 

Like you, my scalp really starts driving me crazy when a shampoo is delayed.  Here are some suggested shampoos. Some wash with tea tree oil shampoo which I have not yet tried.  Many recommend Neutrogena T-gel shampoo, which definitely controls itch, and is available in most pharmacies in less expensive generic form.  There is a prescription strength shampoo called Clobex [generic clobetasol] which you might request from your MD.  Others suggest Nizoral shampoo and say it's fantastic for scalp irritation [don't know where the grey highlighter came from!?].  There is also an anti-itch shampoo called Nioxin.   Apparently zinc is an important ingredient.  Head & Shoulders Classic Clean has 1% zinc.  DHS shampoo has 2% zinc.  These are all brands that have been recommended by several ladies on this forum.  The only one I've tried is the generic T-gel, which doesn't smell wonderful, but a sweet smelling conditioner after thorough rinsing seems to clear the air.

See my discussion thread "Some of the simple things that may have helped me" for other suggestions for hair care.  I hate for you to keep finding wads of hair in the drain!  I wish you all the best, to enjoy your summer!

Permalink Reply by jennyl on July 15, 2014 at 8:48pm

Thanks, Ann.  I will check those out tomorrow.  Maybe washing more frequently, I won't notice as many hairs in the tub! ha.  That actually makes quite a bit of sense.

Permalink Reply by MJ on July 15, 2014 at 8:59pm

Jenny,
I think that you really will see less hairs in the tub. When you wash every three days or so, you are probably just seeing three days worth of hair that would have been less dramatic on a daily basis. The Nizoral shampoo classical Anne mentioned is the generic for the ketaconazole I use.
MJ

Permalink Reply by jennyl on July 16, 2014 at 9:15am

You're right about the hair in tub issue. . . just logical.  I will see my derm. next week and will get a prescription for the shampoo you mentioned, MJ.  Thanks so much for the advice.  You ladies are the best. 

Permalink Reply by Anne Louise on July 16, 2014 at 7:17pm

I agree with MJ. I have very thick curly hair and I learned long ago frequent shampooing dries it out and it does much better with just shampooing once or twice a week. I washed my hair today and filled up the drain! But that has always been the case, long before I got diagnosed. Of course now I'm so sensitive to any hint of hair loss :-(

However I haven't had much problem with an itchy scalp, so I've just been using my usual shampoos. A dermatologist here in
Boston did say that hair shampoos, conditioners, coloring, perming won't impact the disease since the damage is happening deep below the surface of the skin. But it does make me wonder why I bother with topical Clobetasol...

Looks like Anne gave you some great suggestions to help with the inflammation and the itch. Hope something works for you soon. It's hard enough being reminded of this disease every time you look in the mirror, but dealing with a constant itch will never let you think of anything else!

Permalink Reply by MJ on July 16, 2014 at 8:57pm

Anne Louise,
I could not recall but I thought one of us was going to follow up at an upcoming appt about the question of how hair color doesn't get down deep, yet clobetasol and rogaine do? I have pretty much resigned myself to going natural but I haven't yet had any events where I know I will feel self conscience about it...I am going to try to go back to full time work after a 10 year break with my girls and I would appear much more youthful if I colored my hair...
MJ

Permalink Reply by Annie on July 17, 2014 at 10:31am

I've seen 3 doctors since my ffa diagnosis in March 2013.  They all said that coloring your hair has no effect, although I'll admit that I still wonder about this statement.   One doctor said that hair shouldn't be permed since the perm rods pull on the hair and the perm solution is much more irritating to the scalp.  Also, my doctor explained that topical steroids and Rogaine have an alcohol base, which helps them to be better absorbed into the skin.

Permalink Reply by Classical Anne in NC mountains on July 17, 2014 at 1:12pm

Very helpful answer.  And can I just say?  Three clever Anne/Annies on one thread!

Permalink Reply by Mareea on July 25, 2014 at 7:18am

My hairdresser, the trichologist I attend and the dermatologist all say that frequent washing, colouring and hairspray have no affect on the rate of hairloss. I avoid the issue by having my hair washed and a scalp treatment with Nioxin twice a week. That way I do not have to look at myself at my worst. The weather effects the itch. I live in a very hot temperature zone. In Summer it can be almost unbearable. To cool off the scalp I use a water spray on the roots.

 

Permalink Reply by PJ - MN, USA on March 6, 2015 at 10:42pm

I don't get on this site very often, so just noticed this post. My dermatologist recommend washing my hair everyday for the same reason as Classical Anne said. We need to keep what follicles we have left unclogged. When I was first diagnosed my Derm had me rotate between the DHS with Zinc and the Head & Shoulders classic (which has zinc). I would also gently scratch it into my scalp and leave the shampoo on my scalp for 3-5 min, then rinse.Now I use the Head & Shoulders, Free & Clear Shampoo and Conditioner. I don't care for the Free & Clear, it makes my hair feel like it has a layer of something on it, even though I rinse it thoroughly. Also the conditioner leaves my hair staticky. I'm seeing my Derm again next week so I'm going to ask for another recommendation. I did not see any difference on my hair loss when I tried the Ketaconazole shampoo. Another thing my Derm told me was to make sure you just use conditioner on your ends, do not put on scalp. It may clog the follicles. This can be hard to do with short hair. I will skip washing my hair a day here and there, I think it helps with the itchiness I get once in awhile.

Permalink Reply by MJ on March 7, 2015 at 9:38am

PJ, please keep us posted on what your derm says. I wash my hair every other day using ketaconazole primarily and a hair thickening conditioner. I often like how my hair looks on day 2. Would you mind also asking about coloring hair? I guess I am still not convinced that it has no ill effect. My derm initially told me to avoid my hairline area, only highlighting that area. But at my last visit six months ago, she seemed to reverse course stating that peroxide in hair color may have a scalp cleansing effect. MJ

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