Suggest Treatment For Dry Flaky Skin On Hair Line

Posted on Tue, 12 Aug 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Tue, 12 Aug 2014 Answered on

Tue, 2 Sep 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : I have dry flaking skin in my hair line and fringe, it looks terrible as i have dark hair. it is not itchy or painful it just looks bad. can i do anything? I do have allergy's to a lot of moisturisers and creams but if its natural im ok.

Answered by Dr. Hardik Pitroda (25 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Pictures required

Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX
Thank you for posting on HCM.
From your description its too difficult to point out single specific diagnosis. Still I would like to put forward a differential diagnosis of:

1. Seborrheic dermatitis
2. Scalp psoriasis.

I would request you to post some good clinical pictures so that I can have better understanding of your condition and thus help you with the treatment.

You can mail pictures to YYYY@YYYY with the subject titled 'ATTN : Dr Hardik Pitroda'

Thanks
Dr Hardik Pitroda

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

Follow up: Dr. Hardik Pitroda (36 minutes later)

I have email pictures, i was not able to get good ones of my own scalp but i found images on google that look exactly the same as my problem

Answered by Dr. Hardik Pitroda (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Oral and topical ketoconazole, Topical clobetasol

Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX
I can understand it must be difficult to take pictures of your scalp but treating you from pictures from Google is not appropriate as there are many conditionswhich may look alike and mimic the appearance.
Still from the pictures I would put the diagnosis of seborrheic dermatits which is a chronic inflammatory condition of sebaceous glands ( Oil producing glands) and secondary dictated by a fungus.
I would suggest a short course of oral antifungal drugs like ketoconazole 200 mg once daily for 10-15 days.
Also I would advise application of clobetasol and salicylic acid lotion and a ketoconazole lotion twice a day over affected scalp.
Use ketoconazole and salicylic acid based shampoo for scalp wash twice a week.
Antihistaminics can be taken as required for itching.
I am sure this will take care of your issue but as this is a chronic condition I would insist you to keep me posted about your condition every 3 weeks so that I can manage your problem in a better way.
Hope yoy will get well soon.
Thank you
Dr Hardik Pitroda

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