Fighting Scalp Allergies

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Originally uploaded by gaxiola5555

I suffer from severe dry itchy scalp. In fact, I suffer from quite a lot of things, but I began to blame fragranced products after suffering through severe bouts of migraine. Eventually I ended up with Tinnitus and TMJ. That may have nothing to do with it and in fact everything I’ve gone through over the years could be stress related, but that’s really beside the point. There’s no reason why I should be going through this.

Over the past few years I’ve had quite a significant amount of hair loss. I assumed it could be related to my anemia and most likely it is, but I don’t see why I should end up with such a dry, flakey and sometimes crusty head after using a mild daily shampoo or conditioner. I also might break out in a cystic and pimply rash around my scalp, neck and face. What the hell is that about?

The real issue is that I scratch, poke, tuck, rub and touch those itchy, flakey and pimply areas so much that I end up irritating my self even more sometimes making myself bleed.

So I spoke to yet another friend and she recommended I try Tea Trea Oil. Of course, I googl’d it and went straight to Wikipedia.

"Wiki Notes on Tea Tree Oil: 

• Tea tree oil or melaleuca oil is a clear to very pale golden color essential oil with a fresh camphoraceous odor. It is taken from the leaves of the Melaleuca alternifolia…
• medical properties (including antiseptic and antifungal
• normally extracted from Melaleuca alternifolia commercially, it can also be extracted from Melaleuca dissitiflora and Melaleuca linariifolia.
• shampoo with 5% tea tree oil has been shown to be an effective treatment for dandruff due to its ability to treat Malassezia furfur, the most common cause of the condition.[6]

Wiki Notes on Mallassezia Furfur: 

• formerly known as Pityrosporum) is a genus of related fungi, classified as yeasts, naturally found on the skin surfaces of many animals including humans. It can cause hypopigmentation on the chest or back if it becomes an opportunistic infection. ‘Holy Hell!!! Could I be infected? Am I infectious? Do I have yeast on my noggin?’
• investigations show that in humans the species causing most skin disease, including the most common cause of dandruff and seborrhoeic dermatitis is M. globosa (though Malassezia restricta is also involved.)[5] The skin rash of tinea versicolor (pityriasis versicolor) is also due to infection by this fungus.
• As the fungus requires fat to grow, it is most common in areas with many sebaceous glands: on the scalp,[12] face, and upper part of the body. When the fungus grows too rapidly, the natural renewal of cells is disturbed and dandruff appears with itching (a similar process may also occur with other fungi or bacteria).
• Symptomatic scalp infections are often treated with selenium sulfide,[15] or ketoconazole containing shampoos. Other treatments include Ciclopirox olamine, Coal tar, Zinc pyridinethione (ZPT) or Miconazole medicated shampoos.

Wiki Notes on Psoriasis:

• Psoriasis occurs more likely in dry skin than oily or well-moisturized skin, and specifically after an external skin injury such as a scratch or cut. This is believed to be caused by an infection, in which the infecting organism thrives under dry skin conditions with minimal skin oil, which otherwise protects skin from infections.
• The disorder is a chronic recurring condition which varies in severity from minor localised patches to complete body coverage. Fingernails and toenails are frequently affected (psoriatic nail dystrophy) - and can be seen as an isolated finding. Psoriasis can also cause inflammation of the joints, which is known as psoriatic arthritis. Ten to fifteen percent of people with psoriasis have psoriatic arthritis.
• The case for psoriasis is opposite to the case of athlete's foot, which occurs because of a fungus infection under wet conditions as opposed to dry in psoriasis. This infection induces inflammation, which causes the symptoms commonly associated with psoriasis, such as itching and rapid skin turnover, and leads to drier skin as the infecting organism absorbs the moisture that would otherwise go to the skin.
• Additionally, moisturizers can be applied to moisturize the skin, and lotions used to promote skin oil gland functions. Minerals, such as baby powder or talc powder, can be used to kill off the infection by absorbing moisture from the skin that is otherwise used by the infecting organism.
• available to psoriasis patients: 1) Taclonex Scalp, a new topical ointment for treating scalp psoriasis; 2) the Xtrac Velocity excimer laser system, which emits a high-intensity beam of ultraviolet light, can treat moderate to severe psoriasis; and 3) the biologic drug adalimumab (brand name Humira) was also approved to treat moderate to severe psoriasis. Adalimumab had already been approved to treat psoriatic arthritis.
• Ointment and creams containing coal tar, dithranol (anthralin), corticosteroids like desoximetasone (Topicort), vitamin D3 analogues (for example, calcipotriol), and retinoids are routinely used. Argan oil has also been used with some promising results.[21]
• Abrupt withdrawal of some topical agents, particularly corticosteroids, can cause an aggressive recurrence of the condition. This is known as a rebound of the condition.
• It has been suggested that cannabis might treat psoriasis, due to the anti-inflammatory properties of its cannabinoids, and the regulatory effects of THC on the immune system.[29]
• On August 27, 2006, scientists led by Jeung-Hoon Lee created in the laboratory synthetic lipids called pseudoceramides which are involved in skin cell growth and could be used in treating skin diseases such as atopic dermatitis, a form of eczema characterized by red, flaky and very itchy skin; psoriasis, and glucocorticoid-induced epidermal atrophy, in which the skin shrinks due to skin cell loss.[37]

Wiki Notes on atopic dermatitis:

• characterized by chronic inflammation of the skin[2] which is atopic, hereditary, and non-contagious.
• The skin of a patient with atopic dermatitis reacts abnormally and easily to irritants, food, and environmental allergens and becomes red, flaky and very itchy. It also becomes vulnerable to surface infections caused by bacteria. The skin on the flexural surfaces of the joints (for example inner sides of elbows and knees) are the most commonly affected regions in people.
• Many common food allergens can trigger an allergic reaction: such as milk, nuts, cheese, tomatoes, wheat, yeast, soy, and corn. Many of these allergens are common ingredients in grocery store products (especially corn syrup, which is a sugar substitute)
• avoid smoking, as well as the inhalation of dust in general.
• fur of dogs and cats may also trigger an inflammatory response
• A room must be completely free of animal dander in order to prevent an allergic reaction.
• Anger, stress, and lack of sleep
• Moisturizers should not have any ingredients that may further aggravate the condition. Moisturizers are especially effective if applied within 5-10 minutes after bathing.
• Using a soap substitute such as aqueous cream helps keep the skin moisturized. A non-soap cleanser can be purchased usually at a local drug store. Showers should be kept short and at a lukewarm/moderate temperature.
• exposure to broad or narrow-band ultraviolet light.

Wiki Notes on Psoriatic arthritis:

• Psoriatic arthritis (also arthritis psoriatica, arthropathic psoriasis or psoriatic arthropathy) is a type of inflammatory arthritis that, according to the National Psoriasis Foundation, affects around 10-30% of people suffering from the chronic skin condition psoriasis.[1] Psoriatic arthritis is said to be a seronegative spondyloarthropathy and therefore occurs more commonly in patients with tissue type HLA-B27. Treatment of psoriatic arthritis is similar to that of rheumatoid arthritis. More than 80% of patients with psoriatic arthritis will have psoriatic nail lesions characterised by pitting of the nails, or more extremely, loss of the nail itself (onycholysis).
• can develop at any age, however on average it tends to appear about 10 years after the first signs of psoriasis. For the majority of people this is between the ages of 30 and 50, but it can also affect children.
• about one in seven cases the arthritis symptoms may occur before any skin involvement.
• Symmetric: This type accounts for around 50% of cases, and affects joints on both sides of the body simultaneously. This type is most similar to Rheumatoid arthritis and is disabling in around 50% of all cases.
• Asymmetric: This type affects around 35% of patients and is generally mild. This type does not occur in the same joints on both sides of the body and usually only involves less than 3 joints.

Wiki Notes on Human Leukocyte Antigen B*27

• HLA-B27 strongly associated with a certain set of autoimmune diseases referred to as the "seronegative spondyloarthropathies". In the general population, about 8% Caucasian, 4% African, 2-9% Chinese, and 0.1-0.5% Japanese have the HLA-B27 antigen. In Northern Scandinavia (Lapland), 24% of people are HLA-B27 positive while 1.8% have ankylosing spondylitis (AS).
• does not appear to be the sole mediator in development of disease."

Well, my little search took me on quite an adventure. I tend to jump all over the board for information when I'm learning about a certain subject. It helps to tie things up in my mind. For example, I had severe rashes all over my body when I was young and I was eventually told that it was due to an allergy to the sun. Of course the fact that every single time my mother took me to the ocean just to calm and sooth my skin didn’t really make much sense. In fact, the more I was at the beach the better my skin felt. Another thing is the memories of my severe arthritis as a child. No one believed me or my mother, but it was arthritis sure enough and it was simply ignored. It was so frustrating and I’ll never forget it.

Now after having read all of this information it seems like there could actually be a connection between the arthritis and the severe allergies I experienced. I always thought psoriasis was just a dry skin problem, but it looks like I could be wrong and the problem with my scalp may not be dandruff at all.

Psoriatic Arthritis could be something I’ve suffered from all my life. Not sure and of course I could never make a diagnosis on my own, but as I’ve gotten older the symptoms have changed. At least the target areas have changed. I no longer suffer from rashes all over my hands, feet, arms or legs.

I wish I had more time to explore this and maybe someday I’ll get back to it, but for now this bit of information has helped me confirm my belief:

"Different Types Of Psoriasis

Erythrodermic Psoriasis

With this psoriasis it is very common to see larger areas of the body affected. There are more of the typical red, and scaly patches that come with this disease.

Pustular Psoriasis

This type of condition may be found on one small area of the body, and can spread to other areas as well. It is not contagious to other people exposed to someone suffering from this skin problem. Pustules appear on different areas of the body. That looks scale like in appearance. Talk to your doctor, and mension using tea tree oil as a psoriasis natural remedy. He/she may feel it appropriate for helping the condition and coloration of the skin.

What Are Pustules?

This is a term to describe a pimple or zit type mass on the skin.

Scalp Psoriasis

This type of psoriasis is very often mistaken at first as simple dandruff due to the similar symptoms concerning early skin appearance. Dry areas on the scalp often scale looking. The skin is consider very itchy at times of severity, and spots (pustules) often are visible on the forehead along the hair line, and behind the head near the neck.

Nail Psoriasis

This is condition often found in people who suffer from psoriatic arthritis although the overall appearance looks somewhat similar to nail fungus. It is very distinct in the sense that the nail itself begins to have a more bumpy look to it, and becomes very fragile towards the tips. This leads to lifting of the nail, and also a drastic change in color of the nail. Finding a psoriasis natural remedy for this type of problem should be concidered. Such as soaking fingers in a solution using tea tree oil.

What Is Psoriatic Arthritis?

This is swelling of the joints. Followed by a painful acking sensation. Common places affected are the knees, hands (knuckles), elbows, and sometimes the back."

Pustular Psoriasis is exactly what I am experiencing and it’s been a bit painful. Especially when I use conditioners like the Loreal conditioner I’ve been using only once a week. Whenever I use it more than once I’m sure to get it. I have to do my best not to condition. I think both my husband and I have the same problem too. A while back we used Unscented Downy and both of us ended up with a horrible rash all over our legs JUST like the one I used to get when I was a child. Stress and lack of moisture could both have very easily contributed to this and when I get home I’m bathing In lotion.

Now I’ll have to search for Tea Tree Oil and check my Flickr inbox. I found someone there that sells natural products that could help.

Goody.