I awoke last night overheated from my blankets...and I began to experience terrible scalp itching...no kidding. It was so INTENSE!!
Couldn't fall back to sleep. This morning my scalp is still itching and my body feels very itchy too. More like internal itching. No hives (yet).
Took a probiotic before I went to bed last night. could it be yeast? or am I developing a reaction to my Antibiotics?? Has an ybody gone through this?
Help!
Posted by sixgoofykids (Member # 11141) on :
This will sound CRAZY. We used to live out in the country and my kids would bring lice home from school. I never got it myself, but I spent many hours combing it out of their hair (boy was I glad to move!). When I was done, hubby would comb my hair to be sure I got none.
Well, when I was ART tested, guess what showed up? Yes, lice was a blockage for me! I treated with a homeopathic preparation for bug bites, but honestly need to do more because I still get an itchy scalp at times. I don't know if this is your problem, I just relay the story to show that sometimes it's not Lyme and sometimes it's difficult to pinpoint the cause.
In answer to your question, yes, my scalp itching has driven me crazy.
Posted by randibear (Member # 11290) on :
i'm always digging and scratching at my scalp. sometimes i get teeny little red hard things and sometimes i get blood.
i had my mom look at my head once and she said it was just looked really irritated.
head and shoulders shampoo or a dandruff seems to help a lot.
but yep, drives mecrazy too.
Posted by pugs (Member # 20954) on :
Yes, I also thought of lice...but how would I get it? (ie: no kids). Been to many doctors' visits, maybe jacket to jacket?
randibear, I also have those red bumps. Maybe I'll try switching shampoos too. I'll have someone check for lice. Thanks for trying to unravel this mystery for me, it's driving me nuts!
Posted by pugs (Member # 20954) on :
sixgoofykids, does lice affect your whole scalp or just the hairline?
Posted by sixgoofykids (Member # 11141) on :
Mine wasn't a lice infestation or a recent exposure. I hadn't been near lice for a few years!!! For some reason, the exposure to the lice was still a blockage for me, apparently I was bitten when I combed my kids' hair even though I myself never had it. So, when I was checked for it, I saw none.
It just shows how complicated it gets when our immune systems are lowered so much, we get everything, and don't fight off much. Whatever the lice leave behind when they bite was still in my system.
Posted by sixgoofykids (Member # 11141) on :
My itching is mainly the hair line. My kids' lice infestations were the whole scalp ... you could see bites near their ears in their hairline.
Posted by pugs (Member # 20954) on :
Oh now I understand what you mean..sorry, dense. Your story is interesting. Thanks.
Posted by randibear (Member # 11290) on :
mine is all over, but worse on sides and top.
i have very thick hair adn shampoo every other day.
Posted by bncrump (Member # 20374) on :
Have someone check your hair for lice, they should be easy to see or their eggs at least.
Add some tea tree oil to your shampoo, that should help with the itching. I have intense itching sometimes as well...comes and goes seasonally and have had it for years. I guess now I know it's Lyme related.
If you have lice, I can give you some tips...just PM me. It's a NIGHTMARE to get rid of.
Good luck!
Posted by Tincup (Member # 5829) on :
The way some docs check for chronic Lyme is to look at the back of the head... just above the neck area.
Often there is a red rash there. It can be very itchy at times. VERY itchy.
During a herx, too, can bring this symptom out.
It looks like a red EM rash... and one theory is it could be a die off reaction to keets.
I have no way to relieve the itching when it occurs... and interesting to note.... pugs....
I also usually wake up at night, overheated and it is at it's worst.
Hope that helps.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
One of my most annoying YEAST symptoms is scalp itching!!!!!!
Remember, probiotics do not KILL yeast. They help prevent it .. IF you're on a good one.
Thank you for all your tips guys. Great information. I will have someone check my hair..but those buggers must be very tiny. Lymetoo, your past post mentions a lot of things..I'm interested especially in the garlic pills. Don't know what kind to start using.
Lymetoo, I also notice the candida post from 2003..have you improved substantially since then?
Aaargh this is so frustrating! I might also ask for a Diflucan script. I can feel the itching returning,, I'm dreading another night of this???
Posted by O2Btickfree2 (Member # 9742) on :
For months i had itchy scalp in the back part of it. I thought it was my shampoo i changed twice. I take a hot shower. Since i have been on treatment it comes and goes but for the most part has been gone.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
pugs.. I've been off abx since 2004. The yeast still gets the better of me if I don't watch my diet. Wish it weren't so.
Candex contains plenty of garlic. Then there's Allicin, available online and probably elsewhere.
www.vitacost.com is a good inexpensive source of vitamins and supplements.
If you tried the Diflucan.. you'd know within a day or two if this was from yeast.
Posted by Haley (Member # 22008) on :
One of my first symptoms was a strange sensation on my scalp at the crown of my head (way before I knew I had Lyme). After going to 20 different doctors for different ailments, I briefly mentioned to one doctor that I had a strange sensation on my scalp. She said hmmmm that makes me think of Lyme disease. I went to the internet, looked up Lyme, saw the bite and the bug and knew that was what I had. I had been bitten 1 1/2 years earlier. I thought I had been bitten by a poisenous spider.
All this to say, that yes I have had irritation on my scalp, not necessarily itchy. It turned out that there was also a rash. I thought that it resembled RMSF. I recently got a positive test back for RMSF.
It flares when I am on certain antibiotics.
Posted by Pinelady (Member # 18524) on :
It may be Morgellons also. But Lymies are documented to attract all kinds of lice. It could also be filaria worms. A dousing of vinegar may help.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
I would sure hope it's not Morgellons.
Posted by pugs (Member # 20954) on :
OMG!! Doesn't Morgellons mean "delusional parasitosis" or something like that? My scalp itching is very real.
How do you use vinegar? Directly on your scalp??
Wonder if it's a kind of neuropathy except on the scalp? Maybe made worse by antibiotics? Sooo weird many of us have this symptom yet the MD's don't believe us??
Posted by Pinelady (Member # 18524) on :
quote:Originally posted by Lymetoo: I would sure hope it's not Morgellons.
My daughter and I both have Morgellons. The fear
is not knowing for sure what it is. The reality
is the preliminary studies say it is some type of
fungus. The reality is that they are finding it
only in Lyme, HIV, and Cancer treatment
patients. And like Lyme if you don't look you
ain't got it. I personally feel like the sooner
everyone looks the sooner we will have more
people working on it. Only one lab right now. No
money for only 14,000 reported cases. Now if
those 200,000+ cases were to look!
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- pugs,
Morgellons does NOT mean "delusional parasitosis" - that is just the name most doctors give it, the doctors who are ignorant about this very real condition/infection. -
Posted by pugs (Member # 20954) on :
My diet hasn't been the greatest and with this illness I'm under constant stress, it wouldn't surprise me if it were fungus, I also have other symptoms of that i think.
What is the treatment Pinelady, i really appreciated your input, as if this illness isn't scary enough.
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- Yes, it could be any sort of fungus, etc. However, in answer to your question about Morgellons:
Your LLMD should be consulted. Many LLMDs know what to do. If yours does not, ask for a referral to one who can assess you. You can also read more here:
The Morgellons Research Foundation (MRF) -
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- I do not have morgellons but have had a lot of trouble with my scalp. Be sure to toss any shampoo that contain sodium laurel sulfate, artificial dyes or petroleum products.
Also avoid all shampoos and body soaps that contain milk products. That can cause intense itching if fungus is around.
In addition to taking andrographis as my key antimicrobial agent, this shampoo has worked very well for my scalp:
Note: caution for those with celiac as it contains wheat protein. In most other shampoos, wheat protein has caused my scalp to itch more. I do have celiac, but I do great with this shampoo. Not all celiacs might, however.
This has a very strong rosemary aroma. Some with MCS may be bothered. I have MCS and am not crazy about the smell, but it does not knock me out like artificial scents. This is the best scalp shampoo I have ever used - and I've tried them all. -
Posted by pugs (Member # 20954) on :
Thanks Keebler for all your hard work. I'll definitely look at the websites you mention. Just got a call from my PCP that I have an appointment with a dermatologist. Is that the right doctor to see about this?
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- A dermatologist ? Sorry, but NO WAY! (Unless you are going just to see if lice are involved. They can do that assessment.)
Seeing a typical dermatologist is about the same as seeing a typical ID doctor for lyme.
Unless the dermatologist is lyme literate, if you were to even mention morgellons, a dermatologist would laugh you out of the office. This is an area were the ones who know are in the ILADS's area of knowledge.
Most dermatologists will give you steroid cream. That is not allowed for lyme patients.
Now, you most likely don't have morgellons (or it could be). It could be some sort of fungus - or it could be other things. But only someone knowledgeable about lyme and all the manifestations would be able to give you the best advice.
You need someone who will understand your lyme treatment.
Talk to your LLMD. Get a referral to a LL dermatologist. -
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- Also switch to a natural laundry detergent and avoid fabric softeners. Biokleen or Seven Generations are good brands. Planet is okay, too.
Change your pillow case every night.
Don't use any hair products other than natural shampoo (or maybe coconut oil conditioner treatments with a shower cap).
Do you color treat your hair? Perm or straighten - or otherwise use chemicals on it? -
Posted by Haley (Member # 22008) on :
My dermatologist told me that it was a type of neuropathy sort of like shingles.
I personally think mine is related to RMSF just based on my own personal experience. I tried to find the cause of this symptom for over a year and I think I found it.
Posted by Haley (Member # 22008) on :
Pugs could you PM me if you find out what is causing your scalp issues?
Thanks
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- For everyone taking antibiotics, in addition to probiotics, Olive Leaf extract may be helpful for addressing the candida infections that can become systemic (and even affect the scalp).
When I was on abx, probiotics were not enough for me but adding Olive Leaf Extract kept candida away totally. Sugar still needs to be avoided, as well as any products containing vinegar, but the OLE really worked for me. -
Posted by pugs (Member # 20954) on :
I didn't think you could do OLE with Antibiotics. Yuck the burp from it was terrible, I couldn't tolerate OLD but I hear it is very helpful, gld to see it helped you Keebler.
Haley, I'd be happy to PM you but if my dense brain forgets maybe I'll post???
Posted by gridmonster (Member # 19280) on :
I've had good results with Sarna lotion. It is cooling and soothing.
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- OLE is fine with abx. Just maybe take at a different time. And probiotics away from abx and OLE. Many LLMDs recommend OLE as a supplement.
-- gridmonster,
I looked up Sarna lotion at Amazon. Lots of happy campers about that. -
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Did you get some Diflucan yet?
Posted by tick battler (Member # 21113) on :
scalp itching was one of my 3 year old daughter's first symptoms. I would notice it when she first woke up. Sometimes she would scream b/c the itching was so bad, but then it would stop a little later.
Soon after starting abx treatment, the itching went away. I do not think in her case it was yeast since she hadn't started abx yet, and it stopped soon after taking them.
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