Forum Activity for @valrie

Honestly, I don't think you are ruining your dreads. How about going off of the medication for a while and solely using the tea tree rosemary bar. The rosemary is good for fighting dandruff and the tea tree is also an antiseptic. Wait a couple of weeks before evaluating the scalp because changes in soaps may take a little bit of time for the hair and scalp to adjust. If your scalp reverts then you may have a strong case of seborrheic dermatitis and you can certainly ask your Dr. if there are other ways to control it or other shampoos/rinses she can recommend that are more natural.

I've also heard that a person's diet can play a part in it because of yeast production but I'm not 100% sure on that. You may need to do some research on holistic ways to treat it.

SLS is sodium lauryl sulfate. It's in a ton of soaps and it's only purpose is to produce a lather. A rich lather makes people feel cleaner; as if the soap is being distributed better. SLS can dry out the scalp and hair though. It can also interfere with the hair growth cycle.

If the tea tree rosemary bar doesn't help on it's own and you truly need medication, only apply it to the scalp and not the dreads. Ketoconazole is an antifungal medication that prohibits fungus from growing. Usually it is prescribed to be used over a 2 week period of time (did your Dr. tell you to use this for any length of time?) The only thing that I can think of that may happen from using this is that it may make your scalp oily.

From 2004 (when I had my son) up until now I had some serious combo scalp, itchiness and dandruff. When I started my "dread care" it all pretty much went away and my scalp is super happy.
I, personally, use Dr. Bronners with lavender, tea tree, and rosemary essential oils. I've since added some of the dreadlocks liquid shampoo to the mix as well.

It just takes some research, experimentation and patience to find something that works best.
I would also find a 2nd dermatologist and explain that you felt blown off by your previous dermatologist with what he said and if you drank anymore water your eyeballs would be floating.

Doogie said:

Val I still have some dandruff issues and always have but its really not that bad now. Not completely dandruff free but I dont look like I have ski resorts on my shoulders any more!
What soap were you refering to with sls and alcohol in them, the dreadlock shampoo bars?

Sorry Doogie, those ingredients were mentioned in conjunction with the DHHQ soaps SE mentioned. Those aren't in the Bucks County Dreadlock Shampoos that are endorsed on the site. Sorry for the confusion. :P

Doogie said:

Val I still have some dandruff issues and always have but its really not that bad now. Not completely dandruff free but I dont look like I have ski resorts on my shoulders any more!
What soap were you refering to with sls and alcohol in them, the dreadlock shampoo bars?

When all else fails, seek a second opinion. I actually saw 2 dermatologists because I was dissatisfied with what the first one told me. Now I am seeing results, not only what I wanted and felt needed to be done but, getting honest, straightforward answers.

Glad you aren't using "that crap" anymore.
Dis the scalp issue cease when you were underway with the BS/ACV or when you started the dreadlock soap? If yes, try that out to wash your face and see if it clears up. If it does, then you have found a winner. :D

Doogie said:

Se I havent used that crap since I joined this site about a yr and a half ago and ever since been doing the bs/acv and started with the dreadlock bars this month. The big flakes are on my face under my beard and had that problem with my scalp but my scalp is under control. I totally disagree with my dermatologist about drinking more water! Thats all I drink so how can a drink any more without drowning?

Their standard soap has SLS and their "organic" soap has alcohol which is also very drying.

For dandruff and itchiness, rosemary and tea tree are very good. You can get the bar that SE uses which can probably be used as a body soap as well.

This site has some good recommendations at the end of the page that I have never tried but, dig around a little bit more. I'm sure certain things work better than others depending on the degree of the condition.

http://www.nativeremedies.com/ailment/natural-treatments-seborrheic-dermatitis.html

Definitely stop using ANYTHING with SLS in it. That stuff will dry you out big time.

That sounds like seborrheic dermatitis (yes, people can get this on the scalp, eyebrows, beards and sideburns.) You should have your Dr. refer you to a dermatologist to be certain though.

What do you wash your face and hair with? You may be able to treat this naturally with herbs, essential oils or salts. If it is what I think it is, then it will never really go away but it could lay dormant and you can treat the symptoms.