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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Discomfort In Scalp Of An Elderly Lady?

my mother fell and fractured 6 ribs 2 months ago. she also has a floating rib. she is 93 and was pretty active before her fall. about a month ago she started digging at her scalp. she has made sores and is going bald where she is digging. she says it doesnt itch but that she feels a coating and wants to scratch it off. she never did this before. her dr. gave her xanax, but it just makes her loopy or sleepy, and when we cut the pill in half it doesnt help at all. she does this contantly.
Thu, 21 Feb 2019
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Hello,

It looks like she is not able to look after her scalp health. She is getting fungal infections that are causing her scalp to itch, form flakes & crusts. She may have dandruff too. She is going bald because fungal infection & dandruff are making the hair fall off.

Get her physically examined by a dermatologist, give medications under a treating doctor. In the meantime get her treated with a course of oral Fluconzole. Wash her hair with Antifungal shampoo's like Selsun, Head & Shoulders, dry the scalp & apply antifungal cream, Candid. Xanax, is Alprazolam, it's for panic attacks.

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Regards,
Dr. Nupur K, General & Family Physician
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What Causes Discomfort In Scalp Of An Elderly Lady?

Hello, It looks like she is not able to look after her scalp health. She is getting fungal infections that are causing her scalp to itch, form flakes & crusts. She may have dandruff too. She is going bald because fungal infection & dandruff are making the hair fall off. Get her physically examined by a dermatologist, give medications under a treating doctor. In the meantime get her treated with a course of oral Fluconzole. Wash her hair with Antifungal shampoo s like Selsun, Head & Shoulders, dry the scalp & apply antifungal cream, Candid. Xanax, is Alprazolam, it s for panic attacks. Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further. Regards, Dr. Nupur K, General & Family Physician