Discussion
Apologies for what some may think is an obvious question & answer, but as I'm abroad at the moment on holiday I can't get to the relevant documentation or policy booklet.
To give some background, I get ezcema a bit, however I really have it bad on the scalp (Like Cradle Cap I believe). Without wanting to gross anyone out, it's nasty! My GP, who I have been going to for 10 years, just prescribes me a steroid fluid (Betnovate Scalp) which smells like ethanol! I put it on my scalp for 3/4/5 days before I need to go for my monthly hair cut and it brings it mostly under control. It does give me nasty headaches occasionally though! I'm extremely self consious about it and going to the barber is stressful. Yes, I know he's bound to have dealt with guys with it before, but that doesn't help.
Anyhow this is where BUPA comes in. My friend mentioned it today and I realised I had BUPA through work. I'm wondering if there's anything I can do to get to a specialist who can investigate further and help cure it or at least point me in the right direction. I've tried gluten free diets, lactose free, I don't drink alcohol etc but I can't get it under control even though my skin is pretty ok my scalp is awful. Having never used BUPA before or having the slightest clue, could anyone give me a rundown of if it's any good to me and if so how I would get started?
Like I said, I am away at the moment so can't read up on it. Any advice would be fantastic. Thank you.
To give some background, I get ezcema a bit, however I really have it bad on the scalp (Like Cradle Cap I believe). Without wanting to gross anyone out, it's nasty! My GP, who I have been going to for 10 years, just prescribes me a steroid fluid (Betnovate Scalp) which smells like ethanol! I put it on my scalp for 3/4/5 days before I need to go for my monthly hair cut and it brings it mostly under control. It does give me nasty headaches occasionally though! I'm extremely self consious about it and going to the barber is stressful. Yes, I know he's bound to have dealt with guys with it before, but that doesn't help.
Anyhow this is where BUPA comes in. My friend mentioned it today and I realised I had BUPA through work. I'm wondering if there's anything I can do to get to a specialist who can investigate further and help cure it or at least point me in the right direction. I've tried gluten free diets, lactose free, I don't drink alcohol etc but I can't get it under control even though my skin is pretty ok my scalp is awful. Having never used BUPA before or having the slightest clue, could anyone give me a rundown of if it's any good to me and if so how I would get started?
Like I said, I am away at the moment so can't read up on it. Any advice would be fantastic. Thank you.
Check you are covered by BUPA, then ask your GP to refer you to a Dermatologist.
Had similar problems and had referrals through various health insurance providers over the years. It has never been an issue.
Even if you are not covered by your BUPA policy you can still ask your GP for a NHS referral. You may have to wait.
Good luck.
pp
Had similar problems and had referrals through various health insurance providers over the years. It has never been an issue.
Even if you are not covered by your BUPA policy you can still ask your GP for a NHS referral. You may have to wait.
Good luck.
pp
Try some Nizarol Shampoo. I actually use it for the acne that flares up on my shoulders from time to time, excellent stuff. My sister uses it for her eczema after I recommended it.
This is the stuff;
http://www.boots.com/en/Nizoral-Dandruff-Shampoo-1...
This is the stuff;
http://www.boots.com/en/Nizoral-Dandruff-Shampoo-1...
Thanks for all the suggestions and advice.
I'll buy some of that Boots stuff when I am back home and also check what the BUPA covers me for, otherwise off to a NHS Dermatologist.
I've tried (and use at the moment) the pink Nizoral stuff but it's not doing anything at all. T-Gel in the past became ineffective as well so I'm up for giving the Boots stuff a go.
Anti histamines seem harmless enough to try. I assume they help with the symptoms too because some research says they're good for the itching however I don't itch at all, not in the slightest.
Bloody skin!
I'll buy some of that Boots stuff when I am back home and also check what the BUPA covers me for, otherwise off to a NHS Dermatologist.
I've tried (and use at the moment) the pink Nizoral stuff but it's not doing anything at all. T-Gel in the past became ineffective as well so I'm up for giving the Boots stuff a go.
Anti histamines seem harmless enough to try. I assume they help with the symptoms too because some research says they're good for the itching however I don't itch at all, not in the slightest.
Bloody skin!
Head and Shoulders Intense - see here
I had bad eczema / dermatitis on my scalp for 20 years or more even with a grade 3 haircut all over. T-Gel, Nizoral etc never really worked. Steriod solution from the docs (can't remember name of it now) took the edge off but only for so long. Tried many things over the years but nothing "cured" it.
Someone on here recommended H&S Intensive so thought i'd give it a whirl, got the stuff in the large Tesco with the weekly shop.
Stung a little bit the first few times I used it (i figured that meant it was working) and within a week the flaking was gone, no itchiness, no red patches etc. Couldn't believe that something off the shelf worked when prescription shampoos, lotions and steroids didn't! And it doesn't leave your head smelling like a medicine cabinet either.
I use it daily now and not had any flare ups in 3 years. Not sure if it'll help you but worth a shout, its about £5 for 400ml but with short hair that lasts a good couple of months at least.
I had bad eczema / dermatitis on my scalp for 20 years or more even with a grade 3 haircut all over. T-Gel, Nizoral etc never really worked. Steriod solution from the docs (can't remember name of it now) took the edge off but only for so long. Tried many things over the years but nothing "cured" it.
Someone on here recommended H&S Intensive so thought i'd give it a whirl, got the stuff in the large Tesco with the weekly shop.
Stung a little bit the first few times I used it (i figured that meant it was working) and within a week the flaking was gone, no itchiness, no red patches etc. Couldn't believe that something off the shelf worked when prescription shampoos, lotions and steroids didn't! And it doesn't leave your head smelling like a medicine cabinet either.
I use it daily now and not had any flare ups in 3 years. Not sure if it'll help you but worth a shout, its about £5 for 400ml but with short hair that lasts a good couple of months at least.
i went steroid free after 25 years off on off the creams. The steroids clear it up to start with but your skin gets addicted to it and then needs it. plus steroids break down the bodies ability to create "flexable" skin instead of dry flakey patches prone to cracking etc. thing is comming off the steriods youl go through hell as your body will crave it. if you dont have eczema anywhere else then it wont be that bad. I was head to toe and now just down to the usual sweaty patches of feet, inside leg and inside elbow and a few patches in isolated area's. Havnt touched steriod creams or tablets in 6 months now.
slipstream 1985 said:
i went steroid free after 25 years off on off the creams. The steroids clear it up to start with but your skin gets addicted to it and then needs it. plus steroids break down the bodies ability to create "flexable" skin instead of dry flakey patches prone to cracking etc. thing is comming off the steriods youl go through hell as your body will crave it. if you dont have eczema anywhere else then it wont be that bad. I was head to toe and now just down to the usual sweaty patches of feet, inside leg and inside elbow and a few patches in isolated area's. Havnt touched steriod creams or tablets in 6 months now.
What do you use now? I'm on fucibet for my hands and its a steroid.SmartManDan said:
Thanks for all the suggestions. I'll get some of the Boots shampoo and the H&S Intense and start there before bothering the Doctor again. I shall report back in a few weeks.
Holy thread ressurection etc. I realised I never updated this. I took the advice here and started on the Boots and H&S Intensive Care. The Boots stuff didn't make too much of a difference but the H&S did make it about 50% better. Now, slate me as much as you want, but the best thing I've found is not to wash my hair every day, perhaps every 2nd or even 3rd day. I work in an office and am not the type to sweat, I also don't have greasy hair so it looks ok, but this has made a remarkable improvement. It's almost cleared up completely since mid December until now.
Anyhow, I just wanted to update as promised I would do. Thanks so much for the advice, it's been brilliant.
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