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.
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!
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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