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Suggest Treatment For Itching On The Scalp And Excessive Hair Loss
Question: I seem to be losing my hair an it is very itchy an hurts had an hiv exposure back in November could this be tied into my problem
Brief Answer:
Possibility of seborrheic dermatitis with secondary bacterial infection
Detailed Answer:
Hello. Thank you for writing to us.
I have taken note of your query and I have understood it.
Itchy scalp and hair loss is most likely due to seborrheic dermatitis with probably secondary bacterial infection, thus causing bumps.
It is not related to exposure and more so because the possibility of an HIV infection has already been ruled out.
Seborrheic dermatitis is otherwise fairly common in the general population and in itself is not a reason to suspect or test for HIV.
I would suggest you to use an antidandruff shampoo e.g a ketoconazole based antidandruff shampoo.
Nizoral is an OTC brand of ketoconazole that can be tried in your case.
Use it every alternate days. Lather it well into the scalp and leave it on to act for 5-7 minutes before rinsing it off. You may even use it daily.
An OTC oral antihistamine e.g cetrizine 10 mg once daily will provide you symptomatic relief from itching.
I would also suggest a week course of an Oral antibiotic e.g either flucloxacillin or cephalexin for a week to help resolve the bumps.
In addition you may also use an OTC topical antibacterial e.g 2% mupirocin ointment, twice daily for the bumps.
Regards
Possibility of seborrheic dermatitis with secondary bacterial infection
Detailed Answer:
Hello. Thank you for writing to us.
I have taken note of your query and I have understood it.
Itchy scalp and hair loss is most likely due to seborrheic dermatitis with probably secondary bacterial infection, thus causing bumps.
It is not related to exposure and more so because the possibility of an HIV infection has already been ruled out.
Seborrheic dermatitis is otherwise fairly common in the general population and in itself is not a reason to suspect or test for HIV.
I would suggest you to use an antidandruff shampoo e.g a ketoconazole based antidandruff shampoo.
Nizoral is an OTC brand of ketoconazole that can be tried in your case.
Use it every alternate days. Lather it well into the scalp and leave it on to act for 5-7 minutes before rinsing it off. You may even use it daily.
An OTC oral antihistamine e.g cetrizine 10 mg once daily will provide you symptomatic relief from itching.
I would also suggest a week course of an Oral antibiotic e.g either flucloxacillin or cephalexin for a week to help resolve the bumps.
In addition you may also use an OTC topical antibacterial e.g 2% mupirocin ointment, twice daily for the bumps.
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Is this condition somewhat common? Also noticed this condition apparently 85% of those who have hiv have seborrheic dermatitis is this true? I don't know where I am going to get the prescriptions I can buy the shampoos. Is my hair going to continue to fall out any possibility I have hiv? This morning when I woke my eyes were full of fluid had trouble opening them I have a terrible anxiety problem and stress could these symptoms being caused by the stress. The other person had 4 negative hiv tests is any of this condition possibly tied to hiv ? Thank you
These bumps I have had for years wondering why they are just now beginning to itch an hurt hard to tell my doctor what to do as far as the scripts go and the medicines I need
These bumps I have had for years wondering why they are just now beginning to itch an hurt hard to tell my doctor what to do as far as the scripts go and the medicines I need
Brief Answer:
Seborrheic dermatitis is fairly common; scalp infection requires antibiotic
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Yes, seborrheic dermatitis is common in general population.
It is more common, severe and can be widespread in HIV but that does'nt mean that those who have seborrheic dermatitis need to be screened for HIV.
Since HIV has been adequately ruled out in your sexual partner after 90 days of sexual contact therefore it is not a possibility anymore.
Seborrheic dermatitis does have an association with stress.
Swelling of eye and difficulty opening eyes is most likely because you also have a scalp infection/ bumps. You said they itch and hurt.. this suggests that there is an infection.
You can ask for a prescription of oral antibiotic from your GP.
Regards
Seborrheic dermatitis is fairly common; scalp infection requires antibiotic
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Yes, seborrheic dermatitis is common in general population.
It is more common, severe and can be widespread in HIV but that does'nt mean that those who have seborrheic dermatitis need to be screened for HIV.
Since HIV has been adequately ruled out in your sexual partner after 90 days of sexual contact therefore it is not a possibility anymore.
Seborrheic dermatitis does have an association with stress.
Swelling of eye and difficulty opening eyes is most likely because you also have a scalp infection/ bumps. You said they itch and hurt.. this suggests that there is an infection.
You can ask for a prescription of oral antibiotic from your GP.
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Don't think my eyes were swollen they were just closed due to fluid build up as they were stuck together from the fluid but not swollen nor did they hurt just had trouble opening them without wiping the fluid away so I could open them. Can I ask you an hiv question if the person I was with was infected what would be the likely hood or odds I would have contracted it ? I saw the last negative test just not sure the person followed the proper protocol of not having any kind of sex for the previous 90 days. The stress of all of this is killing me seems like everyday something new happens like this morning with my eyes. The previous 3 night I had night sweats but have had them before thinking they are from the severe anxiety an stress. Never had a fever or flu like symptoms an has been 5 months since the sexual episode
Also all of the sudden have allot of oil around my nose an behind my ears face has become very oily in the last month
Also all of the sudden have allot of oil around my nose an behind my ears face has become very oily in the last month
Brief Answer:
You may get tested for HIV
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Eyes getting stuck together is also a sign that you could be having seborrheic blepahritis which is the same process affecting the eyelashes as it is affecting your scalp.
Chances of contracting HIV after a single unprotected peno vaginal sexual contact are 1 in 2500.
If the person in question tested negative at 90 days after having sex with you.. that rules out HIV. It means that the person was not HIV positive at the time of having sex with you.
Whether that person had sex with someone else after having sex with you and acquired HIV or not does not matter.
However, you should not use your sexual partner as a surrogate to define your own HIV status.
You must take up an HIV test yourself and even though most likely it would be negative but that would give you peace of mind and reduce your stress
Oily skin and nose are all signs of seborrhea. Seborrhea and seborrheic dermatitis are related.
Regards
You may get tested for HIV
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Eyes getting stuck together is also a sign that you could be having seborrheic blepahritis which is the same process affecting the eyelashes as it is affecting your scalp.
Chances of contracting HIV after a single unprotected peno vaginal sexual contact are 1 in 2500.
If the person in question tested negative at 90 days after having sex with you.. that rules out HIV. It means that the person was not HIV positive at the time of having sex with you.
Whether that person had sex with someone else after having sex with you and acquired HIV or not does not matter.
However, you should not use your sexual partner as a surrogate to define your own HIV status.
You must take up an HIV test yourself and even though most likely it would be negative but that would give you peace of mind and reduce your stress
Oily skin and nose are all signs of seborrhea. Seborrhea and seborrheic dermatitis are related.
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
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