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Are Excessive Scalp Secretions A Sign Of Seborrhea?

Posted on Thu, 23 Feb 2017

Question: What conditions or diseases are characterized by an excess buildup of scalp secretions besides Seborrhea?Could I have developed an allergy to any of my medications? I have been treating this scalp issue with the Dr. prescribed medications for the past month with only minimal signs of improvement. I still have a daily build up of excess scalp secretions.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Regarding your scalp complaints

Detailed Answer:
Hello. Thank you for writing to us

I am dr.kakkar (dermatologist).
I have gone through your query and i have noted your concern.
Besides seborrheic dermatitis, scalp psoriasis is the other more common condition that leads to build up of scalp scaling.
Other less common condition include lichen XXXXXXX pilaris, scalp DLE and head lice infestation with secondary bacterial infection.
Your treatment seems to suggest that you have either seborrheic dermatitis or scalp psoriasis.
I would like to modify your treatment a bit. Instead of antifungal shampoo you may use a coal tar and salicylic acid based shampoo every alternate days or preferably daily if you have short hair. Secondly, instead of plain clobetasol propionate lotion you would be better served by a lotion containing a combination of clobetasol propionate and salicylic acid.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Kakkar (2 hours later)

I will get some of the coal tar and salicylic acid shampoo and use that as you suggested. I will e-mail my Dermatologist's office and ask my doctor if she will order me some clobetosol propionate lotion w/ salicylic acid in place of the plain clobetasol propionate lotion. I'll get back w/ you if I need further assistance. Again thank you for your help. One other thing that I should inform you is that I am itching and massaging my scalp several times per day which I know is counter productive to reducing the amount of scalp secretions but try as I might I can't stop this habit as it unfortunately has become part of my daily routine. What determines whether this in fact is a scalp psoriasis, licken XXXXXXX pilaris, scalp DLE and of course I know that if either my doctors whom I've seen or myself had found head lice I would know that unless the lice have been killed but I was left w/ a bacterial infection. Thanks again.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Regarding possible causes of your scalp condition

Detailed Answer:
Hi.

If you also have itching and therefore scratch and massage your scalp then secondary bacterial infection, oozing and crusting could be another possible cause of your scalp secretions. I would advice an oral antihistamine e.g cetrizine 10mg tablet twice daily for symptomatic relied from itching and scratching. Also if there is oozing or fluid coming out and crusting then a course of an oral antibiotic e.g either amoxicillin Or cephalexin would be of great help.
Most likely you have either seborrheic dermatitis or scalp psoriasis. Both these conditions itch and that can commonly induce scratching, leading to oozing and crusting. DLE, Lichen XXXXXXX pilaris and scalp psoriasis can be diagnosed by their clinical appearance, however they may require a skin biopsy for confirmatory diagnosis.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Kakkar (16 hours later)

thanks again for your help. I already take Clarinex 5mg. This is an antihistamine, am I correct? Should I take 2 of these pills daily? I don't have any crusting on my scalp that I am aware of. What I have is an oily, gritty surface on my scalp w/ one area where the hair on my hear is growing in which I have been putting Neosporin on nightly. I will do the daily shampoo regimen as you suggested and hopefully this will be resolved before I am scheduled in a couple of weeks to return to my dermatologist.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (10 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Regarding scalp dermatitis

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Yes, Clarinex is desloratadine which is an antihistamine. You may take it during day and if this is sufficient its fine. However if you still itch on scalp you may add cetrizine 10mg at night.
I think you would do better with a coal tar and salicylic acid based shampoo. Shampoo every alternate days. Allow it to act for 3-5 minutes and rinse it off thoroughly. Use clobetasol and salicylic acid lotion once daily at night.
Let me know how it goes.

Regards

Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar