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What Causes Dry, Flaky And Itchy Scalp And Skin On Face?

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Posted on Fri, 20 Feb 2015
Question: my scalp and sides of my face are dry, flaky and itchy and therefore i have this whitish color in the affected areas what do you think
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Answered by Dr. Sanjay Kumar Kanodia (24 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
"Seborrheic dermatitis”: suggestions and guidance.

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

Welcome and thanks for posting your query to the forum.

I can understand your concern for the dry, flaky and itchy scalp and sides of face.
After analyzing the complete query along with your symptoms it appears to be related to the skin condition known as "seborrheic dermatitis".

To tell you simply regarding this condition: it is mild inflammatory condition of the skin where there is scaly, flaky and itchy skin. It is due to mild inflammation of the oil glands of the skin which causes all these symptoms. That is why you have this condition particularly over face and scalp. The whitish color is due to mild flaking of skin.

I reassure you fully that it is a common condition and is seen particularly in elderly age group.

In my patients I generally prescribe Mometasone cream or fluticasone cream or cortisone cream to be applied over skin. These are one of the mildest creams and can be applied over the affected areas.

The only precaution you should make is to apply in a thin layer in morning and at night time. Apply in a very thin layer so that it should not be visible to naked eye. I suggest my patients to apply it for 7 days and then stop it after that and then shift to an antifungal cream such as clotirmazole or ketoconazole as maintenance therapy...

For irritation or itching I suggest tablet “Loratadine” or "Deslotatadine" (Claritin) tablet by mouth up to 2 times or 3 times also if the itching is more.

You can meet a family physician and apprise him/her with my suggestions and take action accordingly.

I hope this information's will help you. If you have further queries I will be happy to help.

"Wish you good health"

Regards,
Dr Sanjay Kumar Kanodia
MD (Dermatology)
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. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju
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Answered by
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Dr. Sanjay Kumar Kanodia

Dermatologist

Practicing since :2002

Answered : 4165 Questions

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What Causes Dry, Flaky And Itchy Scalp And Skin On Face?

Brief Answer: "Seborrheic dermatitis”: suggestions and guidance. Detailed Answer: Hello, Welcome and thanks for posting your query to the forum. I can understand your concern for the dry, flaky and itchy scalp and sides of face. After analyzing the complete query along with your symptoms it appears to be related to the skin condition known as "seborrheic dermatitis". To tell you simply regarding this condition: it is mild inflammatory condition of the skin where there is scaly, flaky and itchy skin. It is due to mild inflammation of the oil glands of the skin which causes all these symptoms. That is why you have this condition particularly over face and scalp. The whitish color is due to mild flaking of skin. I reassure you fully that it is a common condition and is seen particularly in elderly age group. In my patients I generally prescribe Mometasone cream or fluticasone cream or cortisone cream to be applied over skin. These are one of the mildest creams and can be applied over the affected areas. The only precaution you should make is to apply in a thin layer in morning and at night time. Apply in a very thin layer so that it should not be visible to naked eye. I suggest my patients to apply it for 7 days and then stop it after that and then shift to an antifungal cream such as clotirmazole or ketoconazole as maintenance therapy... For irritation or itching I suggest tablet “Loratadine” or "Deslotatadine" (Claritin) tablet by mouth up to 2 times or 3 times also if the itching is more. You can meet a family physician and apprise him/her with my suggestions and take action accordingly. I hope this information's will help you. If you have further queries I will be happy to help. "Wish you good health" Regards, Dr Sanjay Kumar Kanodia MD (Dermatology)