# I have a yeast infection................on my head. **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [September 15, 2018, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-yeast-infection-on-my-head/821397 "2018-09-15T17:45:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![DummyGladHands](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/49beb7/32.png) [@DummyGladHands](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DummyGladHands)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2018, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-yeast-infection-on-my-head/821397/1 "2018-09-15T17:45:47Z")
Insert jokes here…then move on please. This is misery! Like dandruff on steroids. I may have no hair left. The derm said soak my head in oil, coconut to be exact, then comb the plaques off (or whatever they’re called) and wrote a script for ketoconazole shampoo. It goes away for a week or so, but then roars back worse than ever. Anyone ever try to deal with this successfully?? I am shedding as I write. ---
**Author:** ![voltaire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voltaire/32/313_2.png) [@voltaire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/voltaire)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2018, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-yeast-infection-on-my-head/821397/2 "2018-09-15T18:10:34Z")
You need to keep your scalp cool and dry. If it’s getting damp and warm on your pillow while you sleep, you need to figure out the best way to avoid that. Consider a fan aimed directly at your head, sleeping stomach/face down or at least waking regularly and shifting positions so that no area of your head gets to stay damp and warm for too long. ETA: Change bedding daily. ---
**Author:** ![pudytat72](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ce7236/32.png) [@pudytat72](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pudytat72)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2018, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-yeast-infection-on-my-head/821397/3 "2018-09-15T18:17:59Z")
Have you had your blood sugar tested recently? Yeast grows more easily on people with higher blood sugars. ---
**Author:** ![Sunny\_Daze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunny_daze/32/438_2.png) [@Sunny\_Daze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunny_Daze)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2018, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-yeast-infection-on-my-head/821397/4 "2018-09-15T18:59:49Z")
Are you able to keep your hair short? Short hair would help keep it drier. Hypothyroidism is linked to the combination of hair loss and yeast infections of the scalp. If you have not been tested for that, you should get that checked out. [Per Healthline](https://www.healthline.com/health/scalp-yeast-infection#treatment), there are a number of additional medications that you can try for your issue: > [@](#): > > Research shows that antifungal drugs known as azoles, such as fluconazole (Diflucan), are very successful, as well as allylamines. Together, these topical antifungals have an 80 to 100 percent success rate in treating Candida. > > Look for one of these active ingredients on the label of any medication you purchase: > > ketoconazole > clotrimazole > econazole > oxiconazole > miconazole > naftifine > terbinafine > > If the infection hasn’t cleared after using OTC antifungals, ask your pharmacist to help you choose a cortisone foam. Your doctor can also prescribe a stronger medication, such as nystatin or amphotericin B. ETA: Once it’s cleared up, the Healthline article mentions some essential oils that help. You might switch to shampoo with one of them to help prevent a recurrence (tea tree oil or lavender are both mentioned). ---
**Author:** ![DummyGladHands](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/49beb7/32.png) [@DummyGladHands](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DummyGladHands)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2018, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-yeast-infection-on-my-head/821397/5 "2018-09-15T19:26:05Z")
Well, as I said, I have an Rx for a ketoconazole shampoo. Are you recommending an azole cream topically applied as well? The derm said it’s pretty much from a constant sheen of sweat here on my head in the summer in AZ with the 100+ temps. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2018, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-yeast-infection-on-my-head/821397/6 "2018-09-15T19:29:13Z")
> [@DummyGladHands](#): > > The derm said it’s pretty much from a constant sheen of sweat here on my head in the summer in AZ with the 100+ temps. Move to Minnesota. That’ll take care of that for you. ---
**Author:** ![HoneyBadgerDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/honeybadgerdc/32/1033_2.png) [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2018, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-yeast-infection-on-my-head/821397/7 "2018-09-15T19:36:10Z")
> [@DummyGladHands](#): > > Well, as I said, I have an Rx for a ketoconazole shampoo. Are you recommending an azole cream topically applied as well? > > The derm said it’s pretty much from a constant sheen of sweat here on my head in the summer in AZ with the 100+ temps. I wouldn’t ignore the other posts who recommended running some tests. My first thought was an underlying problem. If he diagnosed this without running cultures I wouldn’t rule out a fungal infection. Easy to clear up with over the counter anti fungal meds. Same as ringworm or athletes foot. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2018, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-yeast-infection-on-my-head/821397/8 "2018-09-15T19:50:01Z")
I am not a doctor, nor any other sort of medical professional, but when I hear of yeast infections in unusual places, my first thought is a compromised immune system. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2018, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-yeast-infection-on-my-head/821397/9 "2018-09-15T19:51:46Z")
How much hair do you have. I would buzz it real short ( easy to say, hard to do). The yeast infection pill, Diflucan should work. When you go out side you need one of the cooling do-rag things. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2018, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-yeast-infection-on-my-head/821397/10 "2018-09-15T19:54:23Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > I am not a doctor, nor any other sort of medical professional, but when I hear of yeast infections in unusual places, my first thought is a compromised immune system. I can agree with this, testing is something to look into. ---
**Author:** ![pool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pool/32/4152_2.png) [@pool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pool)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2018, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-yeast-infection-on-my-head/821397/11 "2018-09-15T19:55:16Z")
Did they offer any oral anti-fungal stuff as well or just topical. I went through a year of misery when an Army dermatologist kept insisting I had fungal infections under my armpits and gave me ketaconazole topically and orally, it kept getting worse and worse, my skin started cracking and was so painful. Finally I saw someone else and they actually cut off a small piece of tissue, and it turned out to be like a mild eczema, so basically I had been doing the opposite of what I should have been doing and keeping the area dry when I should have been moisturizing. I literally bought some over the counter moisturizing lotion and within two weeks it went away and never came back, even after discontinuing the lotion. I could have punched that other guy in the face, as angry as I was about the torture he put me through. :mad: ---
**Author:** ![Hurk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ecc23a/32.png) [@Hurk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hurk)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2018, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-yeast-infection-on-my-head/821397/12 "2018-09-15T19:59:54Z")
I had “something” on my penis back in 1984. Being the eternal pessimist I was sure it was herpes. I drove myself crazy for a couple of weeks, putting this and that on it, but it wouldn’t go away. I’m dead, I’m toast. It was like a whole bunch of tiny blisters, within an area of a half-inch or less. Zero pain or other sensations. So I finally go to my doc. He looked at it through a magnifier and immediately said, “It’s a yeast infection.” He gave me a script for some antibiotic cream and it was totally gone in a couple of days, never to be seen again. If your dermatologist is telling you to use coconut oil or whatever on it, get a REAL doc who will give you some REAL medicine. The correct diagnosis is step one, then the correct medicine is step two. If my doc knew this 34 years ago, then for some “doc” today to NOT know it is unacceptable. ---
**Author:** ![x-ray\_vision](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/x-ray_vision/32/351_2.png) [@x-ray\_vision](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/x-ray_vision)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2018, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-yeast-infection-on-my-head/821397/13 "2018-09-15T20:01:05Z")
> [@HoneyBadgerDC](#): > > I wouldn’t ignore the other posts who recommended running some tests. My first thought was an underlying problem. If he diagnosed this without running cultures I wouldn’t rule out a fungal infection. Easy to clear up with over the counter anti fungal meds. Same as ringworm or athletes foot. Yeast is a fungus. That’s one of the reasons the ketoconazole shampoo was prescribed. Another is that it treats seborrheic dermatitis, which is most likely what the OP has. That’s what cradle cap is on babies. It’s not uncommon for babies that have had cradle cap to grow up and again have to deal with seborrheic dermatitis around middle age. Then again in old age. Dermatologists are excellent at diagnosing and treating issues like these. ---
**Author:** ![DummyGladHands](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/49beb7/32.png) [@DummyGladHands](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DummyGladHands)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2018, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-yeast-infection-on-my-head/821397/14 "2018-09-15T20:10:02Z")
> [@Hurk](#): > > I had “something” on my penis back in 1984. Being the eternal pessimist I was sure it was herpes. I drove myself crazy for a couple of weeks, putting this and that on it, but it wouldn’t go away. I’m dead, I’m toast. It was like a whole bunch of tiny blisters, within an area of a half-inch or less. Zero pain or other sensations. > > So I finally go to my doc. He looked at it through a magnifier and immediately said, “It’s a yeast infection.” He gave me a script for some antibiotic cream and it was totally gone in a couple of days, never to be seen again. > > If your dermatologist is telling you to use coconut oil or whatever on it, get a REAL doc who will give you some REAL medicine. The correct diagnosis is step one, then the correct medicine is step two. If my doc knew this 34 years ago, then for some “doc” today to NOT know it is unacceptable. Yeah, he’s a terrific derm, the coconut oil is not to heal, it’s just to relieve the massive flaking. And it works. And I do have, as I said, the ketoconazole shampoo by Rx. I guess another visit. He did tell me stress can bring it on in spades, and yeah, I’ve been really stressed. ---
**Author:** ![Rushgeekgirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rushgeekgirl/32/3715_2.png) [@Rushgeekgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rushgeekgirl)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2018, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-yeast-infection-on-my-head/821397/15 "2018-09-15T20:13:12Z")
I get recurrent yeast in my ears. No other health issues. I use coconut oil when it gets crusty and itchy. No cream seems to help with that but using clotrimazole cream after showers seems to keep it away for the most part. If I forget though, it comes right back. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2018, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-yeast-infection-on-my-head/821397/16 "2018-09-15T20:26:11Z")
OP, do you wear a hat? ---
**Author:** ![Hurk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ecc23a/32.png) [@Hurk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hurk)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2018, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-yeast-infection-on-my-head/821397/17 "2018-09-15T20:40:22Z")
> [@DummyGladHands](#): > > Yeah, he’s a terrific derm, the coconut oil is not to heal, it’s just to relieve the massive flaking. And it works. And I do have, as I said, the ketoconazole shampoo by Rx. I guess another visit. He did tell me stress can bring it on in spades, and yeah, I’ve been really stressed. My doc told me to wipe myself off after having sex. My GF did not have a yeast infection which, if I recall correctly, is not an STD anyways. Before I discovered it I was not stressed, that came afterwards. ---
**Author:** ![Hurk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ecc23a/32.png) [@Hurk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hurk)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2018, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-yeast-infection-on-my-head/821397/18 "2018-09-15T20:41:27Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > OP, do you wear a hat? Or maybe the question should be: Do you ever have head sex? :eek: ---
**Author:** ![DummyGladHands](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/49beb7/32.png) [@DummyGladHands](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DummyGladHands)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2018, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-yeast-infection-on-my-head/821397/19 "2018-09-15T20:59:06Z")
Hurk, you missed the joke window, leave please Back to Voltaire’s thought, I wonder if a powdered azole at nite would be a good idea? Dry and anti-fungal at the same time, like a nystatin powder? No hats, occasional visor or sweatband. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2018, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-yeast-infection-on-my-head/821397/20 "2018-09-15T22:22:42Z")
God. IDK, I sometimes wonder if you keep throwing OTC product at your head and scalp you’ll just be making the problem worse. I worry a lot about allergic reactions to those things. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-yeast-infection-on-my-head/821397.md?page=2)