my head always itches alot. then i scratch and get like sand and i can feel scabs and get very small blood like umm, pieces. sort of like dried blood but it's not.
i also get small gritty stuff like sand only i know it's not sand.
what is this stuff?? common with lyme??
i've tried every shampoo on the market and nothing seems to help this or my hair falling out.
Posted by lululymemom (Member # 26405) on :
I've had this too.. I always thought it was due to the exzema that I was dealing with but this really wasn't anything like that.
I'm not sure it's common with Lyme but I found the only thing that helped me was Nizoral shampoo. You can buy it in any drug store,(hopefully you have it in the States).
Posted by Pinelady (Member # 18524) on :
I think the grit is calcium. Borrelia form biofilm from calcium.
If it surrounds them as we kill and they are close to the skin I do believe the body will try its best to kick it out as if a splinter.
I hope it is not actual bone necrosis, but I suppose it too is possible.
I have used coconut oil---grease up and leave on all day----then wash and rinse in lemon juice.
Posted by ukcarry (Member # 18147) on :
Randibear, I have had this [both the sand-like stuff and the bumps/scabs on the scalp] over the time I've been ill, although it's not so bad at present. It's worse at the back of my head, lowdown and if I've been using a lot of certain products on my hair. At least it's not too itchy at the moment.
When it started, I thought that it was hair-related, but now I assume that it's part of detox, but is aggravated by certain products.
I like the sound of the coconut oil treatment.
Posted by mojo (Member # 9309) on :
I get what I call "hurty bumps" on my head during certain treatments - when I was on Cumanda and also when I do some "natural" drops or parasite treatment. I think it's die off.
Mine feel like large pimples - they are very very tender, grow as big as a large blemish and then go away. Then they come back.
Posted by glm1111 (Member # 16556) on :
I know I keep repeating this ad nauseum, however, I have/had the same scabs/lesions and they are almost gone due to the extensive antiparasitic treatments I have done.
I know for sure that they are parasites because they have pushed through my scalp and I can see the shape(detox pathway). They will keep coming up to the surface and retreating until they find a way out or die.
I have never tried this but Humaworm makes a medicated cream specifically for this that you may want to try.
Gael
Posted by 17hens (Member # 23747) on :
Randi,
This has been happening to me too for the past 2-3 months. It started with a "pararid" tea that I drank 1 time and had a huge breakout all over my head. But after 2 weeks it slowed down but never stopped.
Mine is also mostly on the back bottom of my head.
I'v only been on Cipro and Biaxin for the last 5 weeks so now I don't know what to think.
I'll tell you what, girl, you aren't afraid to ask personal questions, are you! I haven't had the guts to ask about my itchy, scabby, sandy head to even you guys. Or maybe I haven't had the guts to hear the answer.
Gael wrote, "I know for sure that they are parasites because they have pushed through my scalp and I can see the shape(detox pathway). They will keep coming up to the surface and retreating until they find a way out or die."
But why would this be happening if we aren't treating parasites?
Gael, I'm sorry I'm so dense. And you have been so patient with me over the months. I appreciate it, really.
Posted by glm1111 (Member # 16556) on :
17hens, You asked,
"Why would this be happening if we aren't treating for parasites?
Because we are infected with them, just like we are infected with lyme and Co. It's possible that some of the abx can be irritating them and they are looking for a way out.
I have read on previous posts that doxy can kill the baby Filarial worms, but not the adults.
It's interesting to note that some of you have the scabs at the back of the head (I have had these in the past) because the lymephotos site discusses this phenomena at the base of the skull as being the storage area for these worms. I hope this helps clarify
Gael
Posted by randibear (Member # 11290) on :
listen, honey, i've been on this board for awhile, so i've learned to just spit it out and hope for the best.
most everyone knows me here very well and what i go through. they know i have absolutely NO support and no one to talk to except this board.
they have been a blessing and a godsend, every last pea pickin one of them.
i figure i am among very best friends and with friends, you can ask anything and not be made to feel stupid or anything else.
god bless every one of you.
and i'll keep coming up with those questions, because hey, look, i know somebody else out there might have the same problem, and no matter what i ask -- they do!!!
besides i'm 61 years old now and nothing bothers me anymore!!!
Posted by 17hens (Member # 23747) on :
love ya, randi! you go, sister!! (head scabs and all) Posted by 17hens (Member # 23747) on :
are you still visiting your sister?
(not to change the thread 'cause i'd like to hear all i can about head scabs too...thank you Gael!)
hoping things are going a bit better for you.
Posted by sk8ter (Member # 8671) on :
I have these too...I think Gael is right. I too have them at the base of the skull and would think the spinal cord would be a reason as it is present there too. I notice even when I do lemon water detox i start getting them.
So i feel it is detox ing issues with the parasites. I think we need to address parasites too and many docs don't.
There is a doctor that is a specialist for detecting parasites and has his own lab....but I can't find it in my files...does anyone know who this is?
Posted by randibear (Member # 11290) on :
i'm leaving on the 13th of september and coming back on the 27th.
she's having catarack surgery on one eye and then a week later on the other eye.
so i'll be in north dayton for awhile, cleaning house for her and chasing 5 cats!!
and yep, i'm thinking of doing humaworm.
Posted by lymeboy (Member # 24769) on :
I get alot of "sand"and grit....as well....I have also gotten the increasing sensation of being bit al over my body by tiny insects. I am guessing this is a neuro thing...it feels like a flea bit, and they typically concentrate in the same area, though they happen everywheer, but commonly in one spot...MADDENING. Anyone have this?
Posted by glm1111 (Member # 16556) on :
I just have to add that I have been putting a poultice mixture of mixing yogurt with milk and putting it on my head. The lactic acid drys them out. I put some paper towels under my baseball cap and I am good to go.
I can't wait until they are all gone so I can take off these dumb hats! This FREAKIN DISEASE is a MESS!!!
Hope everyone gets well soon.
Gael
Posted by randibear (Member # 11290) on :
um. yogurt and milk on your head? uh huh...
if you tell me you wrap it in aluminum foil and get the sci-fi channel i'll crack up....
no seriously, i believe you.
i had somebody tell me they used mayonnaise on their head and it seemed to help.
i bought nizoral shampoo and am trying that.
i swear i'm digging and scratching like an old dog...you'd think i had fleas or something....
Posted by glm1111 (Member # 16556) on :
Oh Randi you must be psychic! I wrap the tinfoil around the brim. I am trying to signal a ship to come pick me up.
I think they did already because I swear one of the bumps behind my ear is an implant!
You are so funny with your digging and scratching comment. Where did you get the rizoral shampoo?
Gael
Posted by sixgoofykids (Member # 11141) on :
I get little things on my forehead almost like pimples. I've read that can be a vitamin B deficiency. Mine area almost gone now and I do supplement vitamin B.
Posted by IckyTicky (Member # 21466) on :
I have this. I'm amazed that someone else described it so accurately. I thought I was the only one with this issue.
It is worse some times than others, and it is definately not dandruff and the like.
It's like grit! And nothing I do really makes it go away.
I find myself constantly scratching with my fingernails in my hair trying to get the stuff off my scalp, but it never seems to end.
Mine is worse around the ears and sides of my head. I have no idea what it is but the person who mentioned calcium caught my attention.
I do have higher levels of calcium and even had a parathyroid tumor removed.
Posted by randibear (Member # 11290) on :
i went to walmart and bought a neutrogena theraputic shampoo.
it has coal tar in it.
reminds me that i asked my mom about it when she was alive, and she told me that long time ago (in the good ole days), when people had head lice and such, they used coal tar to put on their heads.
now ya'll have to understand my people were coal miners from kentucky and tennessee. they lived in what we used to call "hollers". some of you might recall that term. it's an old mountain word meaning a valley back in the mountain.
now these mountain people used all kinds of natural cures and all, and coal tar on your head was one of them.
well today it's put in shampoos to treat head and scalp conditions.
you can't use it every day because it's pretty harsh. so once a week or so. i'd say no more than twice a week.
can't hurt.
Posted by grandmother (Member # 19908) on :
Try the Nizoral shampoo and let us know what works.
Posted by Munch (Member # 11323) on :
I have the "hurty bumps" on my ears. I can't even got a doctor to feel them.
One LLMD told me they are inflamed lymph nodes and to put a hot pack on them. He said the area around the ears has lots of lymph nodes. This made sense that it was lymph nodes because the other ones in my groin and armpits are giant like marbles.
Hot packs did NOT help.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Nizoral works very well for most scalp issues. I keep it on hand.
lymeboy... the bumps could indeed by inflamed lymph nodes. I used to have them too. My doctor knew they hurt, but had no clue what to do about them....
hmmmm... however, he was the first dr to recommend Nizoral shampoo to me! I think it did help. (this was many years ago.. had Lyme then too)
You can find it at Wal Mart.
Posted by glm1111 (Member # 16556) on :
Randi,
That's so interesting about your background. It reminds me of the way Dolly Parton relates to her family. I think old timers had some really good home remedys.
Gael
Posted by 17hens (Member # 23747) on :
One of my all time favorite shows is the Waltons. There were people on that show who lived in hollers.
Think I'll go watch Liv and John and the gang while I scratch my itchy, bumpy head.
All kidding aside, this is an interesting thread.
Randi, glad you've finally reached an age where nothing bothers you! I'm gittin' there, I'm gittin' there! Posted by Leelee (Member # 19112) on :
OMG! This is a new-ish symptom for me too and it seemed so impossibly weird that I have never told anyone about it.
Thank you so much, all of you, for sharing as once again I thought I was imagining this craziness.
The top of my head has little sand-like things stuck into it. I can scratch them off fairly easily, but more keep "growing". They look like tiny blackheads or itty pieces of rice, but are very small and hard to see well once extracted.
The corresponding problem I have is what others have mentioned -- the itch at the back of my head. It is maddening, but there are no sandy things there. Only constant itching.
My hairdresser hasn't noticed anything, so I decided I was yet again crazy.
Thanks for writing about this.
Posted by Got Lyme? (Member # 11109) on :
My itchy head was worse at night and drove me crazy...mostly at the back of my head at the hair line.
Acutally any hairline was always itchy!
After 6 years of aggressive treatment and detoxing it has finally gone away!
I am still on treatment and it comes back faintly during a herx.
I also get the "bumps" on my face, escpecially on the forehead. They feel like an open sore that I never scatched as they burn from soap or even water.
They start out painful like a zit but never comes to a head and then it seems like they would pop on their own.
I always figured it was something trying to get out. I also had them on my upper arms.
Keep treating lyme & co and detox!
Posted by mojo (Member # 9309) on :
quote:Originally posted by sixgoofykids: I get little things on my forehead almost like pimples. I've read that can be a vitamin B deficiency. Mine area almost gone now and I do supplement vitamin B.
Six or anyone - I only take B-12 - I could use a recommendation for B supplement. I have these on my forehead, too. I did notice they almost went away when I did a few days of Activated Charcoal, not sure if it's coincidence -
Posted by catdog (Member # 26365) on :
i get the bumps, sand, itchy scalp thing too. it seems to get REALLY bad when i wear a hat outside and my scalp sweats. as soon as the hat comes off i scratch like mad!
i also have gotten little bumps, like heat rash on my arms. they're not red and don't have white or black heads so i wouldn't say they're body pimples. anyone else have that?
i'm a little confused about the remedy though. if they are parasites, is the shampoo and home remedies alone enough to kill them? do they die off during abx treatment? or do you have to take an anti-parasitic?
also been having a lot of hair loss Posted by DaveNJ (Member # 17362) on :
Okay....been here for almost two years and never brought it up but I have this to...the meds i'm now target the blood brain barrier and low and behold my forehead is a mess.
Dave
Posted by IckyTicky (Member # 21466) on :
Being from Tennessee and growing up in an actual "hollar" (yes, we actually called it that) I can so appreciate that Posted by randibear (Member # 11290) on :
i was born in oneida, tennesee, and my family is from tennessee and kentucky.
mom was born in domino kentucky and my dad ws born in hazard.
my grandparents were in robbins, tennesee.
our history goes back to long before the civil war.
and yep, we actually had "moonshiners" in our family.
i have a lot of really interesting stories to tell. mom and i got to talk alot about our family history so i know all the old stuff.
we had ancestors on both sides....
so you'll find i still use alot of the old expressions.
they're comforting.
Posted by glm1111 (Member # 16556) on :
catdog,
The shampoo and home remedys alone are not enough because the parasites are systemic and have dessiminated from the top of the head through the G.I. track to the bottom of the feet.
Taking antiparasitic herbs have helped me the most. Coconut oil is also good to take as well. There is a lot of info in the archives about parasites and tx.
Gael
Posted by catdog (Member # 26365) on :
thanks gael for the info! i'll make sure i bring it up to my LLMD next month Posted by Remember to Smile (Member # 25481) on :
Just looked at this thread, as I'm getting little forehead bumps now with a few stray grains of sebaceous sand...
My dermatologist declared "Rosacea" a couple yrs ago, but that was due to redness about the cheeks.
A friend who's not treating for Lyme or anything may have Rosacea (common, fungal) or SLE (autoimmune, serious). Experiences major itchy forehead & nose, and looks pink & inflammed much of the time now.
Have any of you looked into or been diagnosed with either of these?
Overall, our hard-working sebaceous glands may not be getting enough respect.
Found this descriptive info on a web page focused on the origin of words:
* * * * * * * * * * sebaceous having been obstructed and the secretion accumulated, this being accompanied by overgrowth of the epithelial lining of the sac and the surrounding connective tissue.
Sebaceous gland, crypt, or follicle, a cutaneous acinose gland of small size, opening usually into a hair-follicle, and secreting a greasy substance which lubricates the hair and the skin.
Such structures are almost universal among the higher vertebrates, and of many special kinds, though all of one general character.
In man they are especially notable on the face, being represented by the pores in the skin, which when stopped with a morbidly consistent secretion produce the unsightly black specks called comedones.
The Meibomian follicles of the eyelids, the preputiiil follicles of the penis, the anal or subcaudal pouch of the badger, etc., are similar structures. The rump-gland of birds is an enormous sebaceous gland. (See elfeodochon.)
The mammary glands are allied structures, and apparently derived from sebaceous glands.
The scent-glands of various animals, as the musk, beaver, civet, badger, etc., are all of like character. They serve to keep the skin in order, attract the sexes, repel enemies, etc. See castorV, civet*, musk, and cut under hair.
Sebaceous humor an oily matter secreted by the sebaceous glands, which serves to lubricate the hairs and the skin. Also called sebum, sebum cutaneum, and smeffma.
Sebaceous tumor A sebaceous cyst. See above, (ft) Same as pearl-tumor.
* * * * * * * * * We're complex organisms, for sure! *sigh* Smile
Posted by Remember to Smile (Member # 25481) on :
May sound nice in polite company if we're found to have "pearl tumors." (Not a cancer.)
Pearl tumors may be the gentile old-fashion term for these "grains of sand" exuding cholesterol.
Posted by daniella (Member # 6753) on :
I get it but only when I'm on certain meds..
Posted by randibear (Member # 11290) on :
just went to get a haircut.
asked about the thinning hair, he said use zinc and biotin (which i'm already doing).
asked about the sand thing. he said t-gel once a week and stop scratching... easier said than done.
i'm not on any meds cept olive leaf right now and vitamins. so here's hoping the hair thing will straighten out.
i did use the t-gel on sunday and it certainly seemed to help with the itching, so we'll see.
Posted by TN Kim (Member # 26729) on :
Well, I was lying awake most of last night because of insane ITCHING of my head and scalp!
Oh brother, just what I need ... more parasites! LOL! I was seriously starting to think we had bed
bugs but only on my pillow! *sigh*
Posted by kday (Member # 22234) on :
My scalp formed tiny bumps and finally peeled once my body started to detox for the first time in a long time.
The whole scalp hurt, but the baseball cap line (I made up that term) was the most bothersome.
Tried all the anti-fungals, head and shoulders, etc. What worked was time.
Now I have a fresh scalp Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Itching of the scalp CAN be from YEAST... so keep that in mind. It's a big signal for me.
A great way to have thicker hair is to take MSM!! Works!!
Posted by 17hens (Member # 23747) on :
MSM? sorry, got lyme brain!
Posted by Leanne (Member # 27350) on :
Wow, y'all! I'm new to the forums here, but I've had this scalp problem for many, many years. Fascinating to consider that it may be the Lyme.
Do you also get skin boils? I get these cysts and boils on my back, my neck and sometimes my face; smaller ones on my calf muscles. It's not acne. It's boils. Could it be Lyme?
I have only recently begun to research Lyme and I have most of the symptoms. I keep reading "cysts" and I can't figure out of those are skin cysts or just places where the bacteria like to hide in clusters or something.
Posted by Leanne (Member # 27350) on :
Oh, and yes, I get these scalp bubbles too. And "sand". I never knew what it was.
Posted by Leelee (Member # 19112) on :
quote:Originally posted by Leanne: Wow, y'all! I'm new to the forums here, but I've had this scalp problem for many, many years. Fascinating to consider that it may be the Lyme.
Do you also get skin boils? I get these cysts and boils on my back, my neck and sometimes my face; smaller ones on my calf muscles. It's not acne. It's boils. Could it be Lyme?
I have only recently begun to research Lyme and I have most of the symptoms. I keep reading "cysts" and I can't figure out of those are skin cysts or just places where the bacteria like to hide in clusters or something.
I can only speak for myself and yours maybe something different than mine, but I have similar skin problems. My LLMD said it is bartonella. Who knows, though. Lyme can do weird stuff too.
Posted by Elaine G (Member # 20735) on :
Randi Leave it up to you to start this topic. Now we are all scratching !!!
Yeah, I get the head itchies, nose and forehead and at night if I lay on my stomach for a short while, my lips and chin itch. What's with that???
Excuse me a while, I have to go scratch some more.
Good topic.
Posted by randibear (Member # 11290) on :
why, thank you, thank you very much.....
i'm a mindreader ya know. but with lyme, it's amazing. sooner or later someone will mention something and lo and behold, alot of other people are going through the same thing.
well, at least we're not alone huh?
oh, here's a tip from my llmd (well the one i USED to have).
use dial soap. apparently it's antibacterial and will help with boils, acne, etc.
so now i use dial soap in the shower.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
I've taken it alone for years. For the past 2 yrs I've taken it with glucosamine and chondroitin. Helps joint and muscle pain too!
The triple combo is available at Vitacost.
Posted by Leanne (Member # 27350) on :
My tongue itches. I've chewed on it for years. And the area right in my bangs. And right in front of my ears. And my back itches. Will somebody come scratch my back?
Posted by deerose (Member # 27484) on :
"my head always itches alot. then i scratch and get like sand and i can feel scabs and get very small blood like umm, pieces. sort of like dried blood but it's not.
i also get small gritty stuff like sand only i know it's not sand."
I have this exact thing too plus the "hurty bumps" and was told it was related to iodine by an alternative practioner...after reading this whole thread...I think not.
Amazing how these oddball symptoms you deal with turn out to be part of this. Who knew?
Posted by deerose (Member # 27484) on :
oh and I found that when I apply tea tree oil it helps a lot...only to the individual spots.
Posted by psano2 (Member # 11711) on :
I used to have all kinds of issues with my scalp...scabby, itchy, painful bumps, and yes, mostly at the back of my head near the nape of the neck, along the brain stem, and behind and above my ears.
It's mostly gone now after years of systemic antibiotic treatment and topical treatment with all kinds of things, from Farah's Lymessence essential oil, ozonated olive oil, coconut oil, Venex bee venom ointment, metronidazole (Flagyl) cream, and various and numerous herbal tinctures/remedies. They would all make me herx.
Before Farah disappeared/quit making her Lymessence oil, she told me that she believed that it was key to her improvement that she massaged her entire scalp every night with the Lymessence oil. I haven't been disciplined enough to do it every night, although I did do it for quite a while.
I agree with Gael in that I believe all of it represents bugs, both bacterial and parasitic, trying to get out of our bodies/brains. I think it's an indication of how overwhelmed our bodies are with the infection.
Patti
Posted by deerose (Member # 27484) on :
patti makes sense that it is evidence of overload. I am definitely working towards detoxes. Been reading the thread on detox.LLND has me on some measure of that...but i can tell more is needed. I have massaged my scalp with tea tree oil for some relief. Also helped a lot by a shampoo that had aloe (in place of water), tea tree, rosemary and a few other. I had stumbled upon at TJMaxx and trying to find again. Edited to say I found it at iherbs.com-cheaper. Giovanni's .
[ 08-20-2010, 09:57 AM: Message edited by: deerose ]
Posted by Leanne (Member # 27350) on :
But does anybody have the hurty bumps other places? I just had an outbreak on the back of both thighs.
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