# Dry and very flakey scalp **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [March 1, 2003, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dry-and-very-flakey-scalp/158460 "2003-03-01T22:06:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Harli](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c0e974/32.png) [@Harli](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harli)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2003, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dry-and-very-flakey-scalp/158460/21 "2003-03-12T17:15:49Z")
I always found T-Gel Shampoo to be effective, mind you, my condition isn’t as bad as you make yours out to be. Sometimes I do find that I need to use it consistently for a week or two before it starts doing anything though. Something to keep in mind. Another thing, has your doctor recommended a dermatologist for you? A specialist might have a better idea than a family physician. Good luck! ---
**Author:** ![grimpixie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ecb155/32.png) [@grimpixie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/grimpixie)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2003, 8:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dry-and-very-flakey-scalp/158460/22 "2003-03-13T08:43:40Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Triss \* > \*\*Has your doc ruled out psoriasis? \*\* I was going to ask this as well, but since I see you have tried the tar-based shampoos, I guess that avenue has been investigated… Let us know what the long-term results are. 🙂 Grim ---
**Author:** ![Debaser](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/3da27b/32.png) [@Debaser](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Debaser)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2003, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dry-and-very-flakey-scalp/158460/23 "2003-03-13T14:45:23Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by jjimm \* > \*\*I had this, on my eyebrows too, and it stopped when I went on the Atkins diet. Could be a coincidence - dunno - could be yeast or something being starved of the sugars it needs to thrive. > > BTW welcome **Lobelia Overhill** , nice to see another Ireland-based doper! \*\* “How can I lose weight fast?” The Atkins Diet. “What’s a good cure for dry, itchy, flakey scalp?” The Atkins Diet. “I’ve been shot! How can I stop the bleeding!” Try the Atkins Diet. “I have a big test tomorrrow and I’m not prepared for it. What should I do?” Go on the Atkins Diet. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![bjohn13](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ac8455/32.png) [@bjohn13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bjohn13)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2003, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dry-and-very-flakey-scalp/158460/24 "2003-03-13T20:45:31Z")
Interesting comments here. I have tried most of the ideas mentioned (except vinegar), and have had no success. When I was a teenager, my doctor simply diagnosed “sever dandruff” and put me on some prescription I don’t remember. It didn’t work. I’ve tried the T-Gel. I’ve tried every Head and Shoulders, Denerex, Selsum Blue, etc. product on the market. Nothing works. When I turned 21, I had to find my own health insurance plan. The world of HMO’s (to which I no longer belong) led me to see a new doctor. He diagnosed psoriasis and prescribed another type of shampoo. It didn’t work. He tried prescribing a “apply after showering” liquid. That didn’t work either. About two years ago, I found yet another new doctor. His diagnosis was completely different. He told me that my problem was due to an overly oily scalp. He recommended that I cut my hair short and stay away from shampoo altogether for a couple of days to see what happens. I followed his advice out of curiousity. To my surprise, the flakes disappeared. However, I simply cannot go without shampoo for any extended period of time…so my solution has been to keep my hair very short and to make sure my scalp is rinsed thoroughly after each shampoo. I still get flakes on days where I’m too rushed to rinse thoroughly, but if I need to have my hair to be free of flakes, I know how. I may end up giving the vinegar a try…however, my strong adversion to the smell of vinegar makes me anxious. ---
**Author:** ![gwendee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/35a633/32.png) [@gwendee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gwendee)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2003, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dry-and-very-flakey-scalp/158460/25 "2003-03-13T21:40:25Z")
Atkins might very well work if flakiness is sebbhoreic. It’s caused by excess yeasts so reducing carbs/sugars helps. Ashkicker - my mom got one of those filtering shower heads and swears by it. ---
**Author:** ![godzillatemple](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/49beb7/32.png) [@godzillatemple](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/godzillatemple)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2003, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dry-and-very-flakey-scalp/158460/26 "2003-03-13T22:43:45Z")
[hijack] So… anybody see that Simpsons episode where Lisa gets gum stuck in her hair? [/hijack] 😉 Barry ---
**Author:** ![Lissa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/85f322/32.png) [@Lissa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lissa)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2003, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dry-and-very-flakey-scalp/158460/27 "2003-03-14T00:47:16Z")
A friend of mine has suggested, believe it or not, hand lotion. (She uses the super-duper medicated stuff for extra-dry skin.) She said that what she does is rub the hand lotion into her scalp, and wrap a moist, hot towel around her head. (Dampen a towel and put it in the dryer for a few minutes.) Wait for twenty minutes, and then wash your hair as normal, rinsing with beer or vinegar. As for not getting vinegar in the eyes, I just keep my head tilted way back, and have never had a proble, [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dry-and-very-flakey-scalp/158460.md?page=1)