# 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:** 13\ **Page:** 2
**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, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-yeast-infection-on-my-head/821397/21 "2018-09-15T22:24:15Z")
Yes, I think targeting it multiple ways would be a good idea. Shorter hair. Powder to keep it drier. Possibly a different medication in the first place. ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2018, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-yeast-infection-on-my-head/821397/22 "2018-09-15T22:49:13Z")
> [@Northern\_Piper](#): > > Move to Minnesota. That’ll take care of that for you. Come on, that _might_ work for half the year, but when it gets warm in Minnesota, it turns into (note the high Scandinavian population) a sauna. At least in Arizona it does not get muggy, even at 108°. If yeast does not thrive in humid conditions, where would it? ---
**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 16, 2018, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-yeast-infection-on-my-head/821397/23 "2018-09-16T01:30:23Z")
There is a fungus among us. I think yeast and fungus will probably do us in, in the end times. We are doomed. ---
**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 16, 2018, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-yeast-infection-on-my-head/821397/24 "2018-09-16T02:19:30Z")
> [@DummyGladHands](#): > > 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? [The CDC has this](https://www.cdc.gov/fungal/diseases/ringworm/treatment.html) to say: _Ringworm on the scalp (tinea capitis) usually needs to be treated with prescription antifungal medication taken by mouth for 1 to 3 months. Creams, lotions, or powders don’t work for ringworm on the scalp._ ---
**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 16, 2018, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-yeast-infection-on-my-head/821397/25 "2018-09-16T02:26:00Z")
> [@voltaire](#): > > [The CDC has this](https://www.cdc.gov/fungal/diseases/ringworm/treatment.html) to say: > > _Ringworm on the scalp (tinea capitis) usually needs to be treated with prescription antifungal medication taken by mouth for 1 to 3 months. Creams, lotions, or powders don’t work for ringworm on the scalp._ Why are you posting info on what works and doesn’t work for ringworm? ---
**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 16, 2018, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-yeast-infection-on-my-head/821397/26 "2018-09-16T02:58:23Z")
OP, I’m sure your derm mentioned yeast, but are you sure he said you have a yeast _infection_? Based on the treatment and prescription you were given and some other clues, such as him telling you stress brings it on, it sounds like he diagnosed you with seborrheic dermatitis. It may be yeast related, but there is no cure. Stress does not bring on infections. That is why he didn’t prescribe you with anything that would be prescribed if the issue was an infection. He prescribed you with a shampoo to manage it and a home remedy that many find helpful, and it seems to be working for you. ---
**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 16, 2018, 3:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-yeast-infection-on-my-head/821397/27 "2018-09-16T03:41:21Z")
> [@x-ray\_vision](#): > > Why are you posting info on what works and doesn’t work for ringworm? Ringworm/tinea/yeast/fungal infection are all names for the same thing. AFAICT, you’re the only one posting your own diagnosis. ---
**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 16, 2018, 4:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-yeast-infection-on-my-head/821397/28 "2018-09-16T04:12:42Z")
OP, you’re gonna have to be diligent to get rid of this. No sweat, no damp, apply meds, take pills for a good while. This not a battle, but a full size war. Change your pillow cases everyday, and I like the fan on your head idea. Good luck. ---
**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 16, 2018, 4:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-yeast-infection-on-my-head/821397/29 "2018-09-16T04:16:49Z")
> [@voltaire](#): > > Ringworm/tinea/yeast/fungal infection are all names for the same thing. No, they’re not. Ringworm is a fungal infection that is from types of fungi that are not yeast. Fungal infection is also not synonymous with ringworm. All ringworm infections are fungal, but not all fungal infections are ringworm. > [@](#): > > AFAICT, you’re the only one posting your own diagnosis. No, I didn’t. I said based on varios things written by the OP, “it sounds like he diagnosed you with seborrheic dermatitis.” Why is that relevant to mention based on me asking you why you’re posting info regarding ringworm? ---
**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 16, 2018, 4:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-yeast-infection-on-my-head/821397/30 "2018-09-16T04:32:15Z")
Sorry, you’ll have to dance alone. ---
**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 16, 2018, 4:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-yeast-infection-on-my-head/821397/31 "2018-09-16T04:40:01Z")
I was just wondering, would anyone care to dance? 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Melbourne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b5e925/32.png) [@Melbourne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Melbourne)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2018, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-yeast-infection-on-my-head/821397/32 "2018-09-17T00:28:04Z")
> [@DummyGladHands](#): > > 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. Yes, dandruff is caused by a yeast-and-bacteria infection like a sourdough starter, and it is treated by using a anti-dandruff shampoo. Personally, I’d recommend a zinc pyrithione shampoo rather than a ketoconazole or selenium sulfide, but for many people the zinc pyrithione shampoos make your head /feel/ worse, and other treatments make your head /feel/ better. Treatments like coconut oil make your head feel better, and make your head less attractive to the yeast & bacteria coalition, but in the end, trying to cure by treating the physical condition of your scalp is much less effective than simply killing the yeast-and-bacteria and letting your scalp heal back to normal. The treatment you’ve been recommended is standard, and you should be better in a couple of days. If you aren’t better in a week, I’d start to consider switching to a different brand: I have no reason to expect that all scalp fungal conditions are equally susceptible to ketoconazole/ zinc pyrithione / selenium sulfide/. ---
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2018, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-yeast-infection-on-my-head/821397/33 "2018-09-17T00:38:41Z")
Could be [worse](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gB5HsDRRPRY&t=75s). [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-yeast-infection-on-my-head/821397.md?page=1)