Major scalp issues

[MisFit]

Ok, I am loving the fact that my hair has grown faster in the past 3 months than it has ever in my life. Of course not to mention I have taken off my acrylics that I have worn for atleast 10 years and my nails are beatiful. I owe it all to finally eating protein as I should, (even if I do have to get most of it from shakes and bars).
But the one thing that is so not working for me, is my scalp is itching like you would not believe. For those of you that are curious... it is not lice :-). I have never really had to deal with this before. Just to let you know, my hair is in great condition and I am have been trying to use T-Gel by Nutregena now for about a week. This is not working. I also have stopped using any mousse and hair spray as well.
Any and all help will be awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Hibiscus09]

MisFit, are the things you are using for dry scalp? That's what it sounds like -- is it really cold in Germany right now? My scalp gets dry sometimes in the winter & I just buy Head and Shoulders for dry scalp when I get itchy.

[MisFit]

yes actually it is cold here now. Maybe I will try the head and shoulders. It truly can't hurt. I just wanted to hear some ideas before I over loaded my bathroom with a bunch of uselee shampoos.
Thanx

[Gracious]

Hi!
I come from Sweden originally and the winters there are COLD!! I suffer from dry skin and everytime I go back to visit Sweden in the Winter, my whole body becomes a lot dryer! I up my oil intake (Codliver oils or similar) by almost dubble when I go out there now, and it really helps. Maybe you are cutting out on too much oils? Just a suggestion! Hope it helps!!

[tone-n-up]

I was wondering if it has something to do with the amount of oils I am eating. I would think that I am eating enough oils. I am eating things like salmon with hot sauce, herring with hot sauce, and sardines with hot sauce and dipping whole wheat ritz crackers in these. I also try to mix a little omega oil in my shakes from time to time. But I will keep this in mind though. Maybe I still need more.
My thing is that I have changed my way of eating so much that I almost have to think it is my diet. I used to be pretty much a vegetarian that also loves junk food and alcohol. I really never even came close to this much protein in a day. I am thinking maybe 50 grams if even that. And that is not even using fried foods (yuck)

[buffyd]

I'm over here in Germany as well, and along with the cold weather, I know the water here is really hard. Another good thing to try for the itching is a tea tree based product/shampoo/conditioner. Also, try to be consistent with the EFAs. Not only are they good for your skin, they help to burn fat!
P.S. Where in Germany are you stationed?

[tone-n-up]

I am in Vilseck. Where are you ?

[buffyd]

I'm over in Spangdahlem, which is on the western side, close to Luxembourg and Belgium. I really like it over here, except for the complete lack of sunshine and perpetual rain!!

[tone-n-up]

I am loving it as well. We have only been here for a little over a year. Plan to extend for an extra tour so our teen can graduate here with her friends.
Do you have any German recomendations that maybe you have tried as far as hair, scalp,and skin lotions.....
I was using the wella SP for a good while. that was working great, but that was before I changed my eating habbits.
I would love to hear some different things that yu have tried and your opinions

[buffyd]

Unfortunately, due to my complete lack of knowledge of the Germany language ( I really should learn), I don't know of any german remedies, but I find that tea tree oil and lavender-based products really help with itchiness and dryness. A good place to check for these products is GNC. I think there's one near you. They usually have a good selection of skin care products as well as sports/vitamins products. Or even the Body Shop is a good place to look. They are scattered throughout Germany. Hope this helps!

[Belle]

I've had scalp problems in the past. If your still having the itchy scalp try the above shampoo. I bought mine from the chemist though and not off the super market shelves.

It's similar to this here:

http://www.drugstore.com/qxp14442_333181_sespider/ionil_t/therapeutic_coal_tar_shampoo.htm

Other tips are to try not to brush your scalp with a harsh brush. Don't wash your hair too much as it will remove the acid mantle and this irritates the skin of the scalp. The scalp and skin has good bacteria and some shampoos or shampooing too much removes this so this leaves the skin vulnerable to the bad bacteria.

[tone-n-up]

I have noticed that since I have raised my oil intake, my scalp is by far not so dry. My skin is looking better as well.

[Belle]

...with natural bristles as opposed to nylon ones is good for the scalp and also a denman brush which has round nodules on the end of each thick bristle. Any brush that is less abrasive on the scalp will do. They increase circulation to the scalp and therefore the oils increase. A natural bristle brush will distribute the sebum on the hair.

Best vitamins for stronger hair would be horsetail. Also a cider vinegar rinse will improve the PH balance of the scalp which encourages the acid mantle to return to it's natural state. The PH on most anti dandruff shampoos is quite alkaline. They may work on your scalp if there is a build up of dead skin, but your not meant to use them too much. The alkaline state of them is designed to losen up the dead skin, so you can imagine what they would do to your scalp if you use them all the time.

To further improve circulation to the scalp, deep scalp massages are excellent for this. You can either learn to do this yourself or go to a salon and have them do a scalp massage. It is a great way to relieve tension in the scalp to which can cause a lot of tension headaches, so a massage of the scalp professionally done can do wonder's for you really. If you do one at home use the tips of your finger's (make sure you don't have your acrylic nails on there or long nails!) and work from the base of the skull at the back and work upwards towards the top of the scalp with both hands (preferably lubricated with your favorite essential oil such as rosemary weakened down with a wheatgerm or almond oil..rosemary improves circulation) applying the same firm pressure. Then do the same thing from the sides of the temple and up to the top of the scalp. If you have a wide span on your hands with practice you can do this with one maneovre upwards covering the back and temple are also. When you reach the top of the scalp release the pressure and then put the tips of the fingers back at the base of the skull again--no downward movements only upwards. Going from the base of the neck helps the blood supply up from there to the tip of the scalp. Far more relaxing when someone else does it actually...they stand behind you and do the massage and you resist the pressure of their hands with your head so that your head stays stationary.