Natural Remedies for Scalp Infections

Scalp Fungus:

Used several RX shampoos and pills. I even tried multiple products and remedies over the years. Your site finally solved my scalp issues. I think it must have been more than one type fungus that was causing my head to itch, burn and go bald. I used the white vinegar, aspirin and Epsom salt spray twice a day for 7 days. The area burned and peeled but it was 85% better. Even the lumpiness of my scalp was immediately reduced. After it dried I applied pure coconut to soothe it. Sometimes the coconut oil burned. I occasionally used antibiotic ointment when peeling was too severe. Only the bald spot where fungi were burned and peeled. Then I used Absorbine Jr for a 7 days which burned more and peeled more. But still it was healing and getting better. Applied pure coconut oil to soothe. This also sometimes burned. I occasionally added an antibiotic ointment in place of coconut oil.

Finally I used Listerine as many times a day as I wanted. It tingled and felt refreshing but no burn. My hair is growing back and there is hardly ever any itch. I am continuing the Listerine twice a day until I never feel an itch! Thanks for your site Ted! God led me to this place of healing. I pray others with stubborn scalp issues are so blessed!

That sounds like the all around absolute best advice I have heard!! I think that gluten for many people causes a lot of ills. Thanks for posting and spread it around.

N: Boric Acid, Boron, and Borax are interchangeable substances but Borax is preferred for scalp conditions, however Boric Acid in small amounts added to shampoo would likely help.

Also, look for "medicated shampoo" at your local retail market, which would have a variety of medicinals for scalp.

Can I use boric acid in place of borax? borax not available in my place..can boric acid work same like borax..pls tell me..my scalp is very itchy and painful for 8 years pls tell me

Seborrheic dermatitis!!!! I have read most of the posts here! Most of what has been described here sounds like.....seborrheic dermatitis! First! There is no cure as of yet! All you can do is keep flare-ups down! I think, I got mine from a dog or cat! Baking soda and ACV or white vinegar works to keep it at bay! Hair loss will grow back in time! Hope this helps!

OMGoodness...After reading your story I have hope that what has been going on with me and my scalp is something that can possibly be cured or controlled. I started having issues with my scalp and then my hair...which I was proud to say, were the most beautiful locks and I never realized that what has happened to my hair , was possible . I am 49 years old and seems like out of nowhere I started getti g random pus pockets or blisters on my scalp . They didnt so much bother me other than they were very weepy once it popped and then my hair started feeling like I had put glue in it...kinda like the old time rubber cement from back in the day. Then my hair started falling out by the handfulls at my temples and top and crown of my head, but I think the strangest thing of all for me was the amount of gray hair I started to have...literally over a month or so time and it is very weird hair .In the beginning it was thick gray long hairs that were as strong as fish line and then it started to change into spiderweb looking hair as one peice would come out ...it would just keep coming and coming as if I had 3 feet of this silvery white spiderweb mess...and then there were the bald spots from losing it . I am sorry for rambling but I havent felt hopeful in so long thatI had pretty much just accepted that I was going bald and wither away!!!!! Please tell me what if anything has changed and if u found out what it is and what it is called . And thank you so much for posting, Diane

Scalp Infections With Hair loss:

Change your diet! No more fats, no more dairy.. Diet is everything! I experienced myself! I did a fast, 5 days only water, and itchiness went completely away, after years! Then continued eating raw vegan, perfect, after a few months I started again with gluten (cookies, bread) and dairy and blooom, instantly dandruff and itchy scalp went back heavily, until I started to loose hair (I'm female 28 years old! ) and then I said stop! Did a 2 days fast to cut straightforward, and went back to eat fruit fruit fruit, and cooked potatoes, pumpkin, veggies, but nothing else. No oils at all, no avocado, no chocolate..

To Lauren from Queens: I take Vitamin B12 1000mcg/day and a multivitamin, both daily, among other vitamins. But this insane scalp itching... I'm 57, and when I was a kid my mother used to tease me that I was scratching my head like a monkey, so it has indeed been lifelong. Wish the B vitamins worked for me; glad you found what works for you! :)

When making your solutions in separate spray bottles, is it 10 parts water for each spray bottle (10 parts water in the ACY bottle and another 10 parts water in the Hydrogen Peroxide bottle) or divide the 10 parts water 5 and 5 (5 parts in one bottle and 5 in the other bottle)? Thank you! This is really helpful.

I've been suffering with a fungal infection on my scalp and skin for 15 plus years. It took me 14 of those years to actually get a proper diagnosis, that a fungus was actually the culprit. I get what looks almost like mosquito bites on my scalp, skin-mainly neck, back, upper shoulders and occasionally legs.I start with an intense itch that burns and feels prickly. I scratch until it bleeds .A scab forms and it constantly itches.The scabs take a very long time to heal. So at any given time I usually have 100 or more of these in various stages. I went through total hell. At one point I was putting high heat on my head and skin thinking it would help. It made it ten times worse. Hence heat spreads fungus. Unbeknownst to me, it got so bad I thought it was scabies.

Went to every Emergency Room and urgent care as well as family practice docs. None were helpful at all.They looked at me as if I were dirty and crazy! To the contrary I am extremely obsessively clean. Finally had one doc scrape a small inflamed area and analyze it under a microscope.I have tried everything from lindane to nix, creams, topical and oral benadryl, calamine, apple vinegar, tea tree oil, Alcohol, bleach...

Borax was the only thing that has worked! It's amazing! 3Tb borax with 1 liter of aloe vera(100%). Massage into affected areas after shower and at bed.I am 85% healed.Some of my scalp was severe. So it's going to take a bit to completely heal. Literally spent thousands and dealing with an itch that has kept me from sleeping some nights. For under $5 and about 5mins to massage borax I am almost all healed! I recommend this to anyone suffering with itching/skin inflammation. It's truly a miracle. Finally after 15 years, almost completely healed! It's been a long time coming!

http://ted.earthclinic.com/cures/treatment-for-hair-loss.html

I was just reading through this and made a copy to highlight... there is alot of info here from Ted.

It seems the coconut oil probably put you into a healing crisis and affected your follicles and scalp broke out. Then you used antibiotics and your system got weaker and hair loss resulted. I've used the coconut oil overnight but nothing like that happened to me. Usually I do a test patch before using a lot of product due to the fact my system has a lot of problems that could be brought out as a skin or brain chemistry crisis. Your skin is your largest organ . Hope you can read through Ted's info and find out what would help you with the least amount of sufferring.

I left coconut oil on my hair covered with plastic shower cap. After that I have red painful scalp with bumps and pimples filled with pus from the crown towards the forehead. My hair has has badly fallen on those affected areas. My scalp feels like its burning and the roots feels terribly painful. I took some antibiotics and it went away but came back shortly. Its being about 3-4 months now starting January 2015. Can anyone help me please. I will appreciate any piece of advice that you give.

Hi There....I experienced the same problem a few months ago and was going crazy with the constant itching on my scalp. This had never happened before so I was really puzzled. I did the same thing as you guys....I used the selsun blue shampoo let it soak for a while and then wash it off. It would stop the itching for a while and then off we go again. In frustration, I went to my old friend Google (lol) for help. It was with interest that I read an article that said that sometimes a deficiency in B vitamins can cause this. So you guessed it.....I bought some and started using immediately. Don't know exactly when it happened but it was gone in I would say in a couple of days. Try it you never know it might help you....

I have the same exact problem. Hair loss just above temples, increased hairline on forehead, and thin 'bangs/fringe' area, and CRAZY amounts of hair falling out in my bed, in my brush and when washing it. You didn't mention the severity of your itching, but mine is absolutely unbearable after 2 days of not washing with ACV or Listerine. I have severely oily temple air only after 1 day of washing, and have a waxy build up all over my scalp and neck. I don't really seem to smell much, and I'd know, as my olfactory is extremely sensitive to smells and chemicals.

Just wondering if you have stuck with ACV on hair and/or intake, and if so, what type of results have you encountered. I use ACV on my scalp every so often 3 days in a row for 40mins. It seems to help, but then I wind up right back in the same boat after a few weeks of stepping away, even when using ONLY organic, sulfate & dimethicone free shampoos and/or conditioners.

I don't even like hugging people at this point and even feel weird snuggling with my husband and 3 yr old daughter, as I can't help but feel contagious and dirty, even though I know that is not the case. I'm 99.99% certain I have candidiasis (as I suffer from many, many other symptoms that are listed as common candida sufferers' problems); but many people and docs think that is a made-up, non-scientific 'diagnosis' of something they can't define/diagnose themselves either... so finding help with this has proven a crazy, disheartening, time consuming, money guzzling challenge for me.

Would love to hear how/what you have been doing. Thanks.

At first I would use a good application with coconut oil with about ten drops of clove essential oil for medical purposes. If there is itching afterwards, it could be parasites. Keep on for a few hours or as is convenient. Keep in mind, as with coconut oil always, it is a cooling oil and in cold weather a cover for the head is necessary. Repeats as often as convenient.

Borax is very good but oiling afterwards is necessary.

For shampoo, Dr. Bronner's pure kastile shampoo with a selection of essential oils is very good. I have used it for many years also for my pets .Available in health stores.

Making a wash from soap berries because it contains anti bacterials and is very mild but effective (see online).

Chamomile infusion. Soak a cloth and keep on for ten minutes. Very healing and soothing.

Internally Diatomaceous Earth with Bentonite clay but also externally. It has a lot of Silica for hair/nail/bones. It draws out toxins. I was surprised that my nails grew stronger and longer after only about four days of one tblsp. daily in a large glass of water.

You can find DE/Bentonite in feed stores or online. These remedies don't break the bank and they do work. Namaste, Om

I have had hair loss and whelps like acne on my head. Should I still use the Borax? Is there anything oral I should take?

I had a similar patch on my head and was a bit itchy everywhere else. I used straight Bulgarian lavender on it everyday and it started going away after a week. By two weeks the area had cleared up and I could feel regrowth. P.S. It doesn't have to be crazy expensive like YL or DT. Just Google Essential Oils for soap making and pick a company. Much cheaper and still pure quality.

Hello everyone on here, I am a 28 year old female who have had issues with hair loss and an oily scalp that produces sticky discharge.

I am across this website trying to find a homemade remedy to treat my itchy scalp and hair loss. I have read that people had great results with apple cider applied on the scalp.. which I did and it was the first time I ever did.. my scalp feels cold and not very itchy.. the first few minutes after applying I felt some burning.. but that only concludes that it might be fungus or bacteria. I have been trying to rid myself of this sticky build up and itchiness for years I have lost a lot of hair... I am balding around the temples and crown. my crown is basically very visible if I don't try to cover it with my remaining hair. I have also read that drinking apple cider might tackle fungus in the body. I did drink I tbsp. of cider mixed in with 8oz of water after an hour my eyes started to water.. and I started tearing up a little bit... Is this a normal reaction.. also my nose felt tingly and now some parts of my skin around my body is tingly.. Is it candida reacting to the cider.. I have eaten cider with my salads many times.. never had this reaction... Does that mean there is fungus in my blood stream?

Why don't you try MMS? It helps me soooo much with so many things!!! It is 100 times stronger and more effective than any antibiotic and bugs cannot become immune to it.

Melina - I forgot to mention, you may also want to ask your doctor to run some tests on your liver, as well as on your red blood cell levels. High Vitamin B levels can indicate liver disease or a bone marrow issue.

I don't mean to be describing scary scenarious, but I always believe it's better to catch something early rather than waiting until it gets bad. While unlikely, it is possible that you could be in the earlier stages of a liver or blood disease that hasn't fully shown itself yet. Liver disease in particular can trigger some strange symptoms elsewhere in the body.

I once knew of a kid who had a persistent and unpleasant body odor, regardless of how often he bathed or what he ate. Otherwise, he seemed normal. Eventually, a new doctor discovered that he had a liver condition. The kid had had it for years with only the strange body odor as a symptom. Go figure!

Melina, If you haven't already, I encourage you to go back to your doctor for more Bactrim. The fact that an antibiotic cleared up your scalp indicates an unidentified bacterial skin infection, especially since so many antifungal agents have failed. You may need to continue the Bactrim for a couple weeks beyond the point that your scalp seems "normal" to ensure that it has been eradicated. Undertreating it just ensures that the tougher bugs remain and become harder to kill later.

A caveat: If the scalp infection is just a secondary issue of a different condition, then the scalp infection could keep recurring regardless of how many times you take Bactrim.

I also encourage you to explore the low normal white blood cell count further. It suggests a somewhat suppressed immune system. Doctors generally ignore a low normal because it's still "normal." I had a low normal IgG, IgM, and white blood cell counts when I was remarkably sick, and was later diagnosed with three different chronic tick borne infections, all of which are known to be immunosuppressive.

High B vitamin levels might indicate that your body isn't absorbing them for some reason. I've recently learned that my own hair loss and skin issues are directly related to inadequate B-vitamins, especially Biotin. I have been on long term antibiotics, some of which kill the gut bacteria that produce the B-vitamins.

I switched to a different antibiotic, increased my probiotic intake, started taking 5-10g of Biotin a day, and put an antifungal cream on the flaky red spots on my face near my hair line (2-3x/day for a month and it's still not quite gone).

So far, my scalp and skin issues have greatly improved, but I still have some redness, itching, and hair loss at my crown. I am going to try some of the remedies here to see if they help (specifically Borax and Apple Cider Vinegar - I have them both in the house already).

I think that your white blood cell count, scalp infection, and off balance B vitamin levels are subtle clues to some underlying issue in your body that could lead to more serious problems later. Since vitamin levels, body chemistry, and the immune system are so intertwined with gut health, I encourage you to find a good naturopath or even nutritionist who can explore other possibilities for you, such as Ph levels, celiac disease testing (you could think you're gluten free, but could still be consuming small amounts that you don't realize), food intolerances or allergies, low intrinsic factor, et.al.

Also, check out this quick description of why Sulfa drugs are not the same as sulfur.

http://www.zimmernutrition.com/learning-center/health-articles/article/allergic-to-sulfa-drugs-can-you-take-sulfur/

I hope you find an answer soon!

I developed red bloches several places on my head inside my hair line, mainly on sides and front area. Some even appeared to look like ringworm but Derm Doctor said it was not ringworm. Used cortizone cream to control for awhile with several dandruff shampoos that did nothing to help. Then started using Selsun Blue Medicated and the rash cleared up quickly. It has not returned so I continue to use only Selsun Blue. You might want to try it.

Dear Desperate NY: What you describe is "classic" ringworm of the scalp (it is a fungus); there are great photos of this ailment on Web MD. My brother's family picked up a spot on arm & leg; the best/fastest treatment (after trying many) came from the dollar store (in the USA) called "Blue Goo"; found in the foot section, for nail fungus; cost $1.00 for an 4oz bottle (which was enough to treat ringworms, toe fungus, and yellow ingrown toenails too)! It's 1% clotrimazole cream plus tea tree oil. They applied it before bed, let it dry, then climbed into bed, washed it off each morning, after about two weeks; cured!

I tried the remainder on the (lifelong) calluses and ill-formed nails one my funnky little toes; the calluses flaked off and the nails grew out normal!

Melina, the Bactrim sounds like a good lead into figuring out what's wrong--obviously something bacterial.

The sulphur in the MSM sounds like a good idea and you could also try some kind of iodine rinse.

You may also want to investigate the low white blood cell count. If your immune system is not working right, microbes that would normally get killed will be able to get a foot hold. The vitamin B in your blood may be a sign that they are mobilizing for defense more than there being an oversupply. Zinc and the B s are good for skin and immune function.

Best of luck with finding your answer!

Per my biopsy they showed no evidence of fungus and I have never responded to any anti-fungal treatments (I went so far as to take oral Ketoconazole in addition to using it topically).

Thus far I have tried: Ketoconazole (internal and external), topical steroids, aloe, collodial silver (internal and external), ACV, listerine, borax, all OTC dandruff shampoos, Zeal dandruff shampoo, Jason's Dandruff shampoo, tea tree oil, conditioner washes, washing with only baking soda and ACV, liver cleanse, and bactrim. I have had all hormones, blood work and even a stool sample done with the only abnormality being a low-normal white blood cell count and high B vitamin levels. I do not supplement with b-vits. Aside from my scalp I feel great and live a very active lifestyle with no other skin problems. I also went gluten free many months ago as one more thing to try.

As mentioned, the only thing that ever gave me relief was topical steroids (sub par but it was something) and the Bactrim was amazing. I am thinking I want to do another round of bactrim and see if I can do maintenance dosing while healing my scalp (using aloe or err looking into other options). Not sure if this is best? I feel the bacteria causes low grade inflammation, while the bacteria is getting killed the skin is not healing thus it's just coming back. Does this sound reasonable? Also someone suggested I may be reacting positively to the sulfur in the bactrim and to take MSM.

Thank you thank you for all your help. This has been such a battle for me with time, effort, doctors and money (as many of you understand).

You may want to investigate that you have a bacterial infection (because your condition responded to the antibiotic) that is overlying a fungal infection, probably malassezia. The fungus makes the skin itchy and scratching it introduces bacteria into the open skin.

So if this is the problem, solving the fungal infection would be your best bet. Coconut oil, baking soda and/or apple cider vinegar may help.

Dear Melina,

I read a post on Earth Clinic last week where she cured her perioral dermatitis after switching to shampoos and hair styling products that do not contain wheat (most of them do). Have you tried that? If not, maybe that would help. Another thing that comes to mind is that maybe you have a severe iodine deficiency.

I forgot I wrote this until I was searching again and saw my name came up.

So I ended up doing a round of Bactrim and this made all my scalp pain/shedding disappear. While the shedding stayed down, about 2 weeks post antibiotics, the pain/itch comes right back. Again, there are no visible signs less a slight pink hue.

I also tried CS both internally and externally and it doesn't seem to do anything. Upon application with either aloe or lotion as a carrier, my shedding goes from 40-50 hairs to 200+ hairs (this just happened today).

Any ideas on why Bactrim would work and/or CS would cause this reaction? Do you still think this is a mite infestation? After my first round of bactrim my entire top layer of scalp skin shed off and I was able to wash my hair with no pain - I cried. Of course, it came back. I did a test for staph colonization and came up negative.

to Dick -

That's awesome! Make sure that the canned beets you are consuming daily are not packaged in a can which contains BPAs or other synthetic chemical liners & that the ingredients do not list preservatives.

You could probably find an organic farm local to you that grows beets which would be cheap and you would know exactly what your consuming. :)

I use apple cider vinegar for my hair to avoid infections and dandruff. Make sure to use it with 50% water. After a few days no more scalp build or itchy scalp.

Hamza from Jakarta -- I would use completely different natural remedies:

Virgin Coconut Oil with cayenne pepper as #1, with borax separately

Honey gently dissolved with warm water

Borax for exfoliation and as a scrub together with the undissolved Borax

Amla powder which is the Indian amla fruit high in vit C as a wash

sulphur soap for fungi

Indian navaratna hair oil

or ... Maha Narayan oil after cleansing first.

Thanks Cat and Mama to Many for sharing you routine and observations.

As mentioned by Cat, Even I am seeing now more hair in the drain when I am mixing ACV + baking soda from past 2 days. I think I will try to use them separately and will observe results. If that also causes problem and hair loss then I'll go back to only using diluted ACV.

The only issue using diluted ACV on my scalp is that it doesn't clear dead skin on my scalp properly and produce more oil. But it doesn't cause hair fall much.

Hi Cat,

Thanks for taking the time to share your routine and observations! Very helpful.

I should clarify for Hamza that when I use ACV and Baking Soda, I first put 1 T. Baking soda in a container then add a cup or two of water (and a few drops of essential oil.) Then I pour it around on my scalp and gently rub a little. Then I rinse. For the vinegar, I am probably mixing 1 part vinegar with 5 parts water and putting putting my hair into it, but not putting it on my scalp, actually. Then I rinse my hair. I do not do this as often as I was shampooing, either and so far it is working pretty well.

~Mama to Many~

I thought I'd blend in on this subject: Once a month before bed, I pour 1/2 c baking soda down my bathtub drain, then pour about a cup of ACV or white vinegar (whichever is available) after it. I let it sit overnight. It fizzes and breaks up the hair that has accumulated down there with the end result being the disappearance of hair, oil, and gunk clogging my drain; my drain works smoothly again. I though I would say this because I noticed that when I combined these 2 products and used them to wash my hair, I got lots of hair going down the drain. I thought perhaps this combo was eating my hair as it does the hair in my drain. This does not happen when I use them separately. But, for a while now, I only wash my hair with diluted ACV (1/1), pouring it onto my hair and scrubbing it onto my scalp; I let it sit for about 5 minutes, then I rinse it out thoroughly and do a natural dry. I then spritz with a favorite organic cologne. I use virgin coconut oil as a scalp and hair moisturizer every 2-3 days. I use LouAnn (from Wal) because it does not have a strong coconut smell, yet gets the job done I.e. keeping my scalp from feeling tight and itchy. Once a month, I use Dr. Bonner's rose oil soap (very diluted) to wash my head and hair and strip it of old oil or dandruff. This strategy really works for me and is preserving the hair my thyroid condition has left on my head. (alleviating this condition is a work in progress).

I ONLY use diluted baking soda to wash my body after I have used a clean, rough, white, car cloth to dry-scrub off the coconut oil I slathered on my body beforehand. This has changed my skin for the better soooo much. All other soaps (and I've tried hundreds), including Dr. Bonner's has left my skin dry and cracked and itchy. Peace out, Cat

Dear Hamza,

I am no expert, but my thought is that baking soda and Apple Cider Vinegar are used by many people for cleaning their hair and many seem to use it long term with only positive results. I have recently begun trying it myself. As I see it, this has got to be safer than anything else I have been using to clean my hair, even most "natural" stuff.

Perhaps someone else with have some more thought that will shed light on why some say it is not good.

~Mama to Many~

Can experts please help me on my concern?

Hi Louwrence,

I know this solution is working but my concern is that if I use the combination of ACV + baking soda for prolonged time, then whether it will damage the scalp and hair and cause excessive hairfall further? I am not seeing hairfall as of now but I read over internet that if used this combination then it damage the scalp and one will see the impact of it after a month of so. Because scalp ph is slighlty acidic 4.5 - 6 and ACV + baking soda combination make scalp ph to 7.

Hi Hamza, If it is working why not carry on.

Hello, I am having scalp infection with excessive hair fall from past 6 year due to which I have lost 50% of my hair from top. I came across this website last year and after going through several post, I used borax to wash my hair initially but that didn't helped me at all. So, I started using ACV diluted form on my hair. It didn't cured my hair fall and scalp infection entirely but helped at least 50%.

Few days ago, I thought to use TED's alkalizing remedy's of mixing 1/4 tb baking soda and 2 tbp of ACV in 1 cup of water. I waited till the bubbles gone off and then spray it on my hair this solution. My itching is reduced 95% and am seeing less oily hair and feel the mixtures has helped. I didn't feel the same when I used ACV.

But, I searched about this mixture I.e. baking soda and ACV over internet and found it's harmful to use. Even first applying baking soda and then rinse with ACV is not good. Could anybody help me whether its safe to use the mixture of ACV and Baking soda on hair? Does it damage the hair over a period of time if used daily? PLEASE HELP

Melina, I just want to add to your comment on colonics. Long time ago I tried this and had the same awful, painful experience. The Ayurvedic system of eastern medicine states that colonics are not good for the body and use enemas (basti) instead. Om

Melina from Las Vegas:

Sorry to hear your overwhelming problem. It is most likely mite infestation. Your description exactly fits what happened to me years ago to take years to rectify. I did not really know what to do, which I do now through EC posters, thank God. I now have had my head shaved and only then were visible three mite nests, round white spots.

I am using Ted's mange remedy daily as well as MMS and colloidal silver. Then I use moisturizer to balance the drying effect. MMS really attacked them in my face especially which brought on a burning itch like scabies which it isn't but it was mainly in and around the eyes, nose and jaw. This had not been visible. The delicate skin around the eyes became like paper but through moisturizing it is now as good as new. MMS can be sprayed into nose, eyes and ears which is invaluable. Borax is wonderful for skin and hair in combination with Dr. Bronner's lavender kastile shampoo, left on to dry. In between, especially at night, colloidal silver on a cotton ball works very well. It is always worse at night. It feels like a slight tickling and nothing is visible.

I have studied EC's site for hours and came up with these remedies and they work. The follow up will take as long as needed. I have stopped using pillows. I had very healthy hair but I used someone else's pillow and they jumped from there and disappeared in my face. Slowly but surely all that beauty disappeared and finally even produced rosacea. I have no more redness due to colloidal silver and the other remedies. I am indebted to Ted, God bless him, for his selfless assistance which also my pets are benefitting from very well indeed. Ted's instructions are very precise and repeated many times. One must take the time and read over and make notes till it becomes clear enough to follow rules. Many posts on EC are with questions which Ted has already answered.

I wish you good luck and "this, too, shall pass". Love Om

If you have time to answer this bless you, I am at my wits end due to something some might consider trivial.

Since July 2013 I have had a chronic red and itchy scalp. I am not sure if there is a correlation, but this began right after I had my first colonic which was a terribly horrible and painful experience (I stopped the procedure and never went back).

My symptoms are redness, non-stop itching (I never itch though fearing infection, I just tap on my scalp) mild pain at times and light flaking (not really visible less you were looking at my scalp). I feel like I have been shedding more but I can't really tell as I never paid this kind of attention to my hair prior to July. I would say I lose around 70-100 hairs per day, with mid back length hair so this seems like it might be normal? I am 32 and very much into exercise, while I eat while it is neither organic nor daily/gluten free. Also, while I feel this on my whole head, it seems to concentrate more in my crown.

I have seen two derms and they both said seb derm. The second doctor did a biopsy and it came up negative for fungus but showing spongiosis, parakeratosis, exocytosis of lymphocytes and superficial perivascular lymphocytic infiltrate. Even with the diagnosis, I took a 3 day course of oral ketoconazole and it did nothing less make me feel ill. I have tried natural remedies (aloe, tea tree, acv, jojoba oil, coconut oil), not so natural remedies (i.e. dandruff shampoos) and nothing has stopped this. When I use any type of irritant (dandruff shampoos or even tea tree) I shed much more hair going from the amount listed above (70-100) to 150+/day, thus I try and stick with mild, non sulfate poos. I do have to wash daily though or the itching gets worse.

Any ideas? I am so desperate for something.

Does using the recommended:

• Hydrogen Peroxide - 1 Part (e.g., 1 Tablespoon)
• Apple Cider Vinegar - 1 Part (e.g., 1 Tablespoon)
• Water - 10 Parts (e.g., 10 Tablespoons)

Does this amount of peroxide lighten your hair?

Posted by Theresa

×

Theresa

The wonderful Theresa from Minneapolis, MN has been helping pet owners and their beloved pets around the world on Earth Clinic since 2013.

About Theresa

Theresa from Minneapolis was born and raised in the inner city, always wishing she had been raised on a farm.

Her love for creatures great and small began at an early age, starting with caterpillars - which continues to this day, along with an interest in all insects and 'creepy crawlies'.

Theresa's interest in pet health started with a bird keeping hobby at age 14, where she learned from another hobbyist that the simple addition of Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) in a bird's drinking water kept fungal infections away; she was able to share this with her avian vet who in turn prescribed it to her own clients; Theresa was surprised to learn that she could teach her vet a thing or two. This important lesson - that each of us can be a teacher - was a turning point for Theresa, and  fueled  her quest for the knowledge held in lore,  and remedies passed by word of mouth. That quest for knowledge continues to this day, as new and old remedies alike are explored. She may not have experience with a particular issue, but she will research it to the best of her ability and share what she finds freely, in the hopes that you can heal or improve your pet's health.

-----------------------------

How To Show Theresa Your Appreciation

If you would like to thank Theresa for her helpful posts, she asks if you would please consider making a donation to one of her favorite local rescue organizations, or by making a donation to help the genius contributor, Ted from Bangkok, recover from his stroke.  

http://www.piperslegacy.org/

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Get-Bobo-home/1409993732632080?sk=timeline&ref=page_internal

http://ted.earthclinic.com

Close

(Mpls., Mn) on 10/25/2013

Hey Anayo!

This is from the scalp infections remedy page:

... Ted from Bangkok: "Apple Cider Vinegar and Hydrogen Peroxide are used as a shampoo to cure scalp infections. You can also mix chamomile, tea tree and lavender oils together and apply to the scalp as a shampoo. Do not take these remedies internally!

I have treated successful over 100 people with persistent scalp infections by preparing a shampoo made of just tea tree and lavender oil alone and have been successful... Continued here: https://www.earthclinic.com/cures/scalp_infections4.html#TEDS

Scalp Fungal Infection. I am 33 years of age and I have had this ailment for the past 12 years. I will be glad if I can have any remedy for it. Thank you.

Hi, my friend had this happen to her on a holiday in Spain, first she thought she was bitten by some thing, then it got larger and she put it down to the sun. When she got checked out, it was an abscess which had tracked (on her butt, nude sunbathing) six inches in to her left buttock. I am not saying yours is an abscess, but its worth getting it checked out, as the one on my friend's butt, looked a lot smaller than what the actual cause was, and never appeared to have the characteristics of an abscess. Another thing is, (sorry I am not trying to scare you just help) in certain areas in the World, insects lay egg's under the Human skin, and will turn in to a Larve before making its way out, and the area will enlargen with the insect's growth. As I said, these are only suggestions, but the obvious is go get it checked. If your DR is not sure, see someone that deals in tropical diseases and infections as they can be mistaken for other things. Alopecia is another one, as this is common on the scalp area and will produce what you've described, and try not putting any products on your hair until you've had a prognosis. Love Andrea C xxxxxxx

Mary, I was just reading about something like this on the Iodine page, and the person was healed by applying decolorized iodine daily. I suppose regular Iodine would work too if you don't mind the color. It does seem to take time, so you need to be patient.

After reading this I am thankful to find that some people have found relief/cures to their skin conditions, I thought I had no hope and would have to take an oral medication. About a month ago when I was overseas at Cancun I noticed that there was a red spot where I usually part my hair, I didn't think anything of it and thought it was sunburn. This spot has developed to a bald spot, it is round like a ringworm spot and seems to be spreading little by little taking on new hair, and making it fall out. There is tiny little hairs, as if it was growing but I am not sure if it is the hair that broke off at the root or new hair growing in. It keeps getting worse and I do not know what to do. I went to the pharmacy and the pharmacist said it looks like it is a little bit of fungus and recommended clotrimazole cream 1% for the fungus. The only other thing I could think of is that I have died my hair alot, a few months ago I bleached my hair from black to blonde. I don't want the spot to keep spreading, what should I do?

Thanks. Mary

Thanks for this website. I have had scalp Problems for nearly 7 years. I have went to 3 doctors for tgis and nothing helpd but ur treatment of borax and H2O2 really works. Today will be my third use and it is incredible. I can feel the difference on my scalp. Thanks again for this amazing cure.

Valentina, Makes me wonder if it is some kind of fungal thing. I would try a shampoo with tea tree oil in it, or just mix tea tree essential oil with extra virgin coconut oil and massage into your scalp and hair. (This would be messier, but a stronger solution. ) Let it sit for 10 minutes or so before washing it out. I would do that every day for 10 days. Charcoal is great for odor and toxins, but so very messy to use in your hair... It wouldn't hurt to take charcoal tablets internally (4 tablets 2-3 times a day for a few weeks. ) Don't take charcoal near the time you take any medications as it will absorb them. A probiotic internally, would be a good supplement to the above.

Hope this helps.

~Mama to Many~

Try washing your hair AND the inside of the helmet with white vinegar.

Hi, 8 months ago I went to a forest hotel and wore a helmet for one of the activities, once on I realised the helmet absolutely stunk but I was already on the equipment so just thought I'd wash my hair once finished and thought no more of it....... Until 2 days after washing I could smell that funky awful smell, it has been like this ever since. I've tried nizoral, hibiclense, dial antibacterial, Jason dandruff, nothing works. Please help me as I am really depressed because of it. Valentina

Scalp sores, bumps and itching: I too have had problems with this condition. I purchased the Borax, peroxide and dish detergent put in small bowl mix to a runny consistancy, wet my hair then, slathered the mixture on my head while in shower(don't get hair wet).

After bathing, I then rubbed mixture like shampoo into hair/scalp rince complety. I woke up this A.M. and no itch, bumps reduced in size and open spots were closed with scabs. I will do this 2-3 times a week and I believe this will end my scalp problem. Thanks for the heads up. (no pun intended).

Hi Caroline! I would recommend using "Borax" to wash your hair with especially if it is a fungal infection. I use it in my bath as well as wash every part of my body with it. Including a douche for vaginitis! A cure all it is. There are a great deal of posts on here regarding it's uses. Drinking borax mixed with water and lemon help cleanse your body inside and out.

Hi, I had the same problem from past 6 years. I found this site and gone through several feedback and post of TED and Bill. Doing so helped in my problem. I am not fully recovered but it certainly helped me with my condition. Please follow below procedure and let me know if this helps.

1. Change your diet. Drink plenty of water, no sugar, no yeast food item, no fastfood etc, no fry food. This needs to be followed very strictly.
2. Mix (1/4 tbsp for male or 1/8 tbsp for female) of borax in a water and drink throughout the day.
3. Take 2 tablespoon ACV + (1/2 tablespoon baking soda for male or 1/4 tbsp for female). You will see bubble once you mix this. Let it settle and then mix 1 cup of water and drink it twice in day on empty stomach.
4. Before taking shower add ACV + water in 1:2 ratio in a spray bottle. Apply it on scalp and let it sit for 30 min. Then wash the scalp with mild herbal shampoo.

Hope this help. Also, you need to be patience to see the results.

I need help, my scalp is slowing but surely balding, lately there are sores that present with pus. I have had this problem for about 6 years now and I am getting exasperated. Now I can only wear wigs. The bold patches have come close to the forehead.

After visiting many skin specialists, some of whom thought it was a genetic problem, two of them finally believe it is a fungal infection. I am currently taking grisofulvin, so far 3 weeks.

Please, if you know of any solution, I will be really greaful. Thanks. Carol.

After reading some of your recent post I think you might benefit from some internal coconut oil since you had the uti. 1 tsp a day in food or drink

The dental issue, you can add alpha lipoic acid to help knock that down and kill some cavities too. Brush with coconut oil. ( don't spit it in the sink but the garbage ).

Start with just the coconut oil for a couple weeks slow /so you don't feel sick from detox or die off. Then try the ALA. I have also discovered my grey hair is going away and I am in menopause.

I started with Magnesium citrate with my vitamins - a few months later added a full spectrum mineral and that has been amazing!

I also drink water half an hour before eating to prevent indigestion and take salt in my food in the correct portion. I am OVERCOMING slowly everything that has been overwhelming me for many years. I have recently added Kelp since my TSH levels were so high and I expect to see some new eyebrows soon. 1/3 of my outer brow is missing on each side and my scalp hair has thinned a bit. DO NOT USE KELP IF YOU ARE HYPERTHYROID... Too much thyroid hormone. I had bloodwork done but my ob/gyn did not tell me I had hypothyroid and so I have been struggling along trying to figure it out. My TSH # should have been a red flag to her? I found a piece of paper in my pile that said a high TSH number meant thyroid function was low.

Hi, I had a similar problem, got really panicked. What do you use to wash your hair? I suspected that my issue was related to that so I started researching and found Castile soap. I bought tea tree one to try and washed my hair with full strength couple days in the row rinsing with apple sider vinegar. Those were ponytail days until I discovered dr Broner's rinse. The inflammation is gone, my scalp does not itch or hurt anymore. I am not sure if hair is growing back but at least it is not falling out and my scalp does not bother me. Now I wash my hair with 3:1 ratio of water to Castile soap and rinse using the rinse. You can find it on amazon or vitamin world. My hair looks better than it did in years. I would also recommend detoxing and doing flushes (liver, colon etc). Good luck, hope this is helpful. Victoryia

Wanted to give an update: I went to a dermatologist who said she can tell I'm having hair loss and my scalp is inflamed. She said there is no sign of infection what-so-ever and it's not alopecia. Which makes me think I have an internal problem of some sort. I've been rinsing my hair w/ACV everytime I wash it and green juicing. I've cut out most sugar. The burning and redness has gone down quite a bit from when I orginally posted, but the hair falling out is the same. For Lori: I'm curious how the blackstrap molasses and ACV is supposed to help? I'm thinking of trying this.

Thank you for all the responses. For Lloyd: To give you more history: I had a UTI infection about 2 months ago which was rare for me. I've only had a few my whole life. I did have a dental infection about 1 year ago. It was a raging infection that went on too long because I had a dead tooth so I couldn't feel the pain and didn't know the infection existed for a long time. I took a horrible antibiotic to clear the infection (called Flagyl) that made me sick for a few months after taking it. The infection went away with antibiotics and a root canal. No head injuries or lacerations. The hair loss started about 4 months ago. I don't take any medications except vitamins. I can't tell that eating anything in particular infames it. I have no food allergies that I'm aware of. I used to have acid reflux when I ate anything that was spicy or fried, but I cut those things out of my diet years ago. I have not been oversees since 2004. I don't eat any raw meat. I very rarely will get ringing in my ears - Ive had this for 10 years though. Thanks for all the suggestions. I very much appreciate it.

Thank you Joy! I'm in the process of getting a new doctor and more tests. Hopefully this will turn up something. Thanks again.

After I read your post, I went and did a lot of reading. Found some interesting stuff. Most people lose 100 hairs a day on a normal day. Vitamin D affects hair either from too much or too little the hair falls out. Magnesium and other minerals affect vitamin D.

Low magnesium affects homones, and hormones affect hair. Thyroid affects hair and most thyroid tests do not accurately assess a problem.

Stress wipes out magnesium and hair loss episodes usually happen 4 months after stressful events, surgery , drugs, trauma, too much of one supplemental vitamin , mineral, herb... Birth control pills

Low progesterone causes hair loss because other hormones get out of balance. Hormones in animal products we eat, cause estrogen to dominate and progesterone to be low in comparison.

Too tight of hair doo or curlers or pony tail pulled too tight, tight braids, or fungal infection or parasites or allergy to a product.

I hope you know down deep which thing it would most likely be from so you can get new hair.

My heart goes out to you... Love, Joy

My head is similar to yours but maybe not quite as severe. I have lost nearly 2/3 of my hair and my scalp burns and aches and it hurts to wear hair clips or pull my hair up. Four days ago I started taking 1 TBS organic Apple Cider Vinegar and also 1 TBS blackstrap molasses. I lost only a FEW hairs in the shower today!!! I am so thankful. Try it! You have nothing to lose! Take the supplements in any way you can get them down. I add vinegar to cold water then chase with molasses in vanilla coconut milk, but take them how you want to, as long as you take 1 TBS of each! Hope you have great luck with it.

Hello Penelope, To give us "medical detectives" some more insight, could you please elaborate on what your recent medical histor is... have you had any major infections, for instance? Or dental work? Or injuries to the head causing lacerations or puncutre? If the answer to the above three items is "yes" then that might give a clue to viral, fungal or bacterial infection inside the scalp which has spread from a previous infection.

Next, assuming we eliminate the infection possibility, go to reactions to topical ointments, allergies etc. Does anything you eat, for instance, make the condition worse, such as acidic foods? You might have developed a late developing allergy to some specific item. My mother in law is deathly allergic to sesame seeds and sesame oils. You can get to the bottom of this by process of elimination. Leave off certain items you may be suspicious of and see if the condition changes.

Next, could there be a deficiency of anything? Some latent genetic conditions could be triggered as we age and kick in a deficiency where previously was asymptomatic. Read relentessly to find any clue to vitamin deficiencies, such as the B complex or mineral deficency, eg magnasium.

One odd question: Have you been overseas where parasites could be another avenue of enquiry.

Oh, one more: Please advise whether you eat raw meat.

Yet one last one: Are you ear canals alright? Any new unsual ringing or clicking sounds? That could indicate fungus or virus. And your eyes... Is your vision recently blurred?

I am assuming you have already checked on your acidity... I refered to that above but make sure you are drinking enough alkeline liquid (one half teaspoon of baking soda twice a day) would help neutralize an acid body. If you suspect that, then get off coffee, meats and acidic foods such as tomatoes.

Diatomaceous earth is an interesting "test" to see if key digestion issues are a problem. Really high quality "green" drinks is something that could give you another hint; that is is after consuming for a week if the condition improves.

Please forgive me for suggesting so many things but I thought I'd run some ideas out to give an expanded check off of possible cures. And don't lose hope... Because there is a solution. It may be as easy as soaking in boron (borax) and/or epsom salts.

Just keep trying. But go back to my first request... is there anything else you can give "us" to help you by way of hints concerning your midical history; prescriptions drug interaction for instance.

I'm a 30 year old woman with no kids no history of scalp or hair issues and no female hair loss in my large family. For the past 4 months my hair has been falling out (diffused) and then the last month my scalp has become red, inflamed and feels hot and burning. It doesn't itch much but will burn on and off all day long. The hair fall greatly increased when the burning and redness started. I have no flaking or bumps but a few areas of small flat red spots and areas where the scalp is entirely red. It doesn't hurt to massage the scalp but hurts to move my hair- which I don't understand. The reddest areas are just below the top of the back of scalp and on the sides of my head is worst for redness and hairloss. If I wash my hair with anything other than shampoo that has pyrithione zinc the burning gets pretty severe. I tried an anti- fungal shampoo and a tea tree oil shampoo-both seemed to make the burning worse especially the anti -fungal. I've tried going without any hair products and didn't seem to make any difference. I tried rinsing my hair with apple cider vinegar which helps temporarily but the burning always comes back within about 12 hours. I also made a paste of baking soda and applied to the scalp - it didn't seem to help and dried my scalp and hair horribly. I've been to my doctor who did bloodwork and everything came back as normal. I don't know what to do and am scared I won't have any hair left soon as my hair started coming out in handfuls within the last couple of days. Any idea what this is or how to treat it???

This sounds like something my daughter had a few years ago. I took her to someone that made a "natural concoction" that consisted of burdock root and something else. Before this I had tried, vinegar, medicated shampoos, fungal medicine from doctor and her scalp would sell shortly after. Her scalp was oozing some kind of pus or something and I had begun to wash her hair everyday. Once I started using the burdock root mixture, I noticed results within the first week. I would spray a little on her scalp along with normal hair do in the morning and at night. She was cleared in about 2 weeks and we haven't had problems since.

Parts - think about it as equal portions. 1 tablespoon is a part. So the 1 part, 1 part, 10 parts would look like 1 tablespoon of ACV, 1 tablespoon of hydrogren peroxide and 10 tablespoons of water. Bigger jug? 1/4 cup is a part. So the 1 part, 1 part, 10 parts would look like 1/4 cup of ACV, 1/4 cup of hydrogren peroxide and 10 quarter cups (or 2 1/2 cups) of water.

Thanks Heather for sharing your success, I will try the Borax and hope it works for my condition as well.

Danielle~ Ted would tell you to use Borax. I have had great success with this. I heat roughly 1.5 cups of water in the microwave or in a tea kettle until it boils. Add Borax until it is saturated (cloudy) Stir. Add cold water until it is luke warm. Pour into a bottle with a tip (like ketchup at a restaurant). Use in the shower after shampooing. Leave on a few minutes. Repeat daily. This will help tremendously.