Dandruff

Hope everyone is doing well. For the first time ever I have developed a severe case of dandruff. What do you recommend to treat it? I bought some coal tar shampoo but then did some research and apparently if you have lupus you should contact your doctor before using. Well, I am not going to bother my rheumy about a case of dandruff, that just feels plain silly. What products can you guys recommend? Of course during my searches I found some Humira users reporting dandruff as a side effect of Humira - thoughts on that one? I'd take dandruff over UC any day, just curious what everyone's thoughts are on that one.

Thanks!

The key with dandruff is to switch medications periodically. I usually use coal tar for two months, then switch to one of the other options for a couple months.

Depends on what's causing the dandruff. Is it just dry skin, seborrhea, or full on psoriasis?

If it's dry skin then adding some essential fatty acids like fish oil to your diet, and using a good moisturizing conditioner could help.

If it's seborrhea then it's probably either related to a new environmental exposure (like a new shampoo), something diet related, or even something like candida.

If it's psoriasis then it could be related to pre-existing auto-immune. I get really bad dandruff when I flare but usually it's because of explosive candida growth. When I take grapefruit seed extract it goes away.

You could try a shampoo with tea tree oil in it. Tea tree oil has anti fungal properties which eliminates dandruff. Go to sites like Puritan Pride:

https://www.puritan.com/mvc/Catalog/Search?searchText=tea%20tree%20oil%20shampoo

notsosicklygirl said...
I used to use this really smelly "jason" brand natural "dandruff relief" shampoo when I had issues. It smells bad but it always seemed to work for me. It's in a brown bottle. They sell it all over, I got it on amazon.

I think they sell that on Puritan Pride site.

notsosicklygirl said...

Michelejc said...

notsosicklygirl said...
I used to use this really smelly "jason" brand natural "dandruff relief" shampoo when I had issues. It smells bad but it always seemed to work for me. It's in a brown bottle. They sell it all over, I got it on amazon.

I think they sell that on Puritan Pride site.

That stuff stinks, but it works!

I buy vitamins from there but I didn't know they sold all types of products

They have tons of good stuff on that site.

Countess 18 - I didn't see the above post. I haven't added the MTX yet as I am now back in remission, not sure if it's the Uceris or the flare just subsided. I have about 4 days of Uceris left and I am due for my annual scope in early March. My plan at this point is to stop the Uceris after I finish the script and see what the results of the scope are. I really don't want to add MTX but then again, I don't want to jump ship on Humira as that leaves me with one less med to try. How are you feeling on the Humira?

Glad you were able to get off the devil's tic tacs, I HATE pred! I have heard of people being on it for years for UC and it still working. I belong to a Facebook group called Humira Junkies, lots of success stories. I know what you mean about coming to terms with being on a biologic. It took me a while, now it's a non-issue. I just wash my hands constantly, don't touch door handles and try to avoid sick people. It's not as scary as I had built it up to be in my mind. Funny that now I want to stay on Humira and don't want to switch to another med that I would have to go to have infused. I'd rather have my 10 second stick in the comfort of my own home. May your remission last!!