Dear Dr Sue:

From ever since I could remember, I have always had a flaky scalp! Sometimes it seems worse than others and I find it so embarrassing. The flakes will often appear even in my eyebrow and in my ears. I keep going to doctors and I may get a cream or potion, but inevitably it always seems to come back. Is there anyway I can get rid of it once and for all?

Yours frustrated
S P
Kingston 6

Dear SP:

You have described a condition known as Seborrhoea Dermatitis which falls under the inflammatory class of skin conditions. In this group of conditions, the skin is often inflamed and irritated and scaly. It is also prone to secondary infection from organisms such as fungi and bacteria.

Like the colour of your eyes, no doctor can change the kind of skin you are born with. However, we know enough to be able to control the irritation and the infection.

Please revisit your doctor, I am sure he or she will give you a shampoo or face wash which will control the itching and fungal infection. You will also have to use a mild steroid cream or ointment to the scalp to deal with the scaling.

This treatment will be for life. There will be times if you are under stress or if you live in a dry climate that you may find that the condition may worsen, but generally speaking you will be able to control it. You will also be given a cream and sulphur-based soap for the face. Flaking in the ears can be treated with ear drops.

Your doctor or dermatologist will invariably give you a repeat prescription so you can maintain a constant supply of your products.

In some patients who have conditions that affect their immune status, they may find that this condition can take on an aggressive phase and the medication has to be changed.

So it is important to take a detailed history and perhaps undergo a blood test to assess the body accurately.
So the answer is no there is no cure but certainly there are a host of medications available to control the condition and make life simple.

Have a great week!

Dr Sue

The fear factor

Feeding the multitude

DANGEROUS PETS