Post-chemo hair "fairy dust" (aka dandruff)

bejuce · 05-10-2010, 10:47 AM

I'm almost ready to go without my wig and expose my unruly curly mane, but before doing so, I'd like to take care of the white stuff that is flaking off my scalp.

Yesterday, for example, after washing my hair in the morning I noticed that my dark t-shirt was sprinkled with the white stuff. My scalp is also itchy at times, and when I was itching it a bit yesterday while playing Pictionary with my kids, quite a bit came out of it into the table (yuck!) I told my kids it was "fairy dust"

I searched online for chemo and dandruff, but didn't find much except hints that it may caused by hormonal imbalance. I'm on Tamoxifen and now wonder whether there's any relation. I always had tons of hair and had ovarian polycystic syndrome when young and was put on birth control pills (Diane) at an early age - 16? 17? However, I never had dandruff before so I don't know why I'm getting it now.

Does anyone have any tips for dealing with it?

Thanks!!!

Marcia

StephN · 05-10-2010, 12:35 PM

Hi Marcia -

You may not have actually dandruff in the normal sense.

What I found is that I had "old skin" flaking off my scalp. When we have lost our hair we don't tend to wash our scalp as vigorously and certainly don't brush it which will keep up circulation.

AS my hair started growing my scalp was itchy and sensative, but I could scrub it gently with a wash cloth to loosen the old skin layers.

Hope this is just one more temporary, easy to fix, side effect of these past few months!

Jackie07 · 05-10-2010, 01:24 PM

Marcia,

I've had dandruff problems my whole life. It pretty much disappeared during chemo - possibly because the bacteria could not grow as much and my scalp was less oily while undergoing treatment.

Once chemo stopped, the dandriff problem came back in a vengeance. The regular dandriff shampoo such as Head & Shoulder (containing 1% Zinc) no longer worked. I went to the dermatologist and was given a DHS Zinc shampoo (2% Zinc) along with a prescription Nizerol (Ketoconitzrol) shampoo alternate daily to solve the problem.

You might want to start with a baby shampoo to see if it works on your scalp (in case it had become sensitive after all the treatment) to clean up the debris Stephnie mentioned about. (That's what I was given after my brain surgery.) My experience is that only a dermatologist can figure out the right solution for [my] skin problems.

vlcarr · 05-10-2010, 02:03 PM

I've noticed the same thing Marcia. I never had dandruff before either. I think I will also check with the guy who does my hair. I did wash my bald head and put lotion on it all the time. But, now with hair there that is not as easy to do. I'll also try the washcloth approach!

vlcarr · 05-11-2010, 08:09 PM

I saw a story on TV today. Forgot what show. They were talking about dandruff and dry scalp and said to add some tea tree oil drops to your shampoo.

I had to go to the health food store today to pick up a specific type of probiotic my physical therapist mentioned. So, I was going to get some tea tree oil and when I explained what I wanted it for. Lo and behold, they had tea tree oil shampoo.

Since I don't have much hair a dab will do me. The bottle I got was around $8.00. Just thought I would pass this along. I'll see if it helps.

Sheila · 05-13-2010, 06:08 AM

Marcia
As a former 2 year baldie, I found that when my hair started coming in the consistency of bird feathers, and my scalp was very dry, I used baby shampoo and Lots of conditioner....no more fairy dust......which is much more appropriate for us that dandruff!

bejuce · 05-13-2010, 10:52 AM

Thank you so much, ladies, you're the best! I'll look for these products at stores to see which one works. I have baby shampoo at home for my kids and I'll try that tomorrow to see if it gets better.

I'm also getting my first post-chemo haircut/color next week or so and will discuss this with the hairdresser. Also, that reminds me - has anyone here done color after your treatment? Is there any contraindication to doing it?

Thanks!!!

StephN · 05-13-2010, 12:07 PM

I know many women do color their hair, though I never have. Also do not use nail polish and rarely do my toenails. (I am too old to feel the need to do these fashion conscious things. Also saves $$.)

Here is an article that explains why (posted today, but the premise is not new):
http://www.stylelist.com/2010/05/13/...ver-disease%2F

If you can find a hair dye that is chemical free and vegetable dye based, I would go that way.

v-ness · 05-14-2010, 11:40 AM

i grin at everyone's post-chemo 'unruly curls' because that's what i had pre-chemo! i was kinda hoping my hair would maybe have 'opposite effect' and be less unruly post-chemo, but it appears that at less than an inch my hair is doing its thing already. i expect to look like a salt & pepper Shirley Temple in no time. i dyed my hair since age 29 because i inherited my father's genes, and he was all white by 40. then in recent years with my long hair i wondered how i would ever go gracefully grey. well, thank you cancer! it has done at least one good thing for me. i will never dye my hair again. my feeling is why put chemicals on my head again and have damaged hair again as a result? the natural dyes don't last long. while i haven't plunged into a chemical-free life, i am drawing the line in certain places. and hey, why look a gift horse (gracefully going grey) in the mouth? v

WolverineFan · 05-14-2010, 12:44 PM

Great question, Bejuce!! I am experiencing the same thing!!! Uugghh!! Everyone...thanks for the tips, and yes, fairy dust is so much better than dandruff!

Jackie07 · 05-15-2010, 04:14 AM

Mother dyed her hair all her life (because of early greying) and had Non-Hodgekins Lymphoma when she was 75. I dyed my hair just a little more than 10 years and had BC when I was 43. 2nd Brother doesn't have much greying, but had his colon cancer removed and treated when he's 59. I've read one research that only black hair dyes have a co-relation to increased cancer incident.

vlcarr · 05-15-2010, 08:34 AM

I've decided my hair looks like a chia head. Bird feathers, yep Shelia that is it. It's now getting longer on top and beginning to look like Sarge on Gomer Pyle for those of you who remember him.

Margerie · 05-16-2010, 09:32 AM

I had Kramer hair for a few years :O

My scalp was super sensitive/itchy/flaky during this time. I tend to get eczema type reactions now. I found Neutrogena T-gel really helped. But it smells really bad, so I would deifinitely use a little conditioner afterwards.

curryalso · 05-16-2010, 01:05 PM

Hi,

My hair is starting to come in and I was always an "unnatural" blond. Now my hair is coming in straight, coarse and black with a little grey on top.

I'm wondering if I can "bleach it blond " again. I've heard you can't bleach your hair for awhile after chemo. Is this true? Otherwise no one will recognize me.

09-23-2011, 09:21 AM

Hi!
I have been on Tamoxifen for 4 years and now all of a sudden I have the same thing - itchy scalp and lots of flakes. Never had this before taking Tamo. Have been trying Head and Shoulders but luck so far. Is there something else to put on the scalp that might work.

Jackie07 · 09-23-2011, 01:54 PM

There are a variety of shampoos to choose from. You probably want to consult a dermatologist to pick the right one. http://www.seniorwomen.com/hfs/artic...rmatitis2.html

I used to have really bad dandruff problem and it was finally under control when my dermatologist gave me a prescription (Nizoral) to alternate with DHS Zinc 2% (a non-prescription - but you may need to order it through the pharmacy as most stores don't have it on the shelves.) Early this year was the first time I'd been told not to alternate them daily any more. I'm supposed to use the DHS daily and only use Nizoral when the need arises.