HER2 Support Group Forums - View Single Post - Post-chemo hair "fairy dust" (aka dandruff)

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.

05-10-2010, 01:24 PM	#3
Jackie07 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: "Love never fails." Posts: 5,808	Re: Post-chemo hair "fairy dust" (aka dandruff) 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. __________________ Jackie07 http://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2011/06/doctors-letter-patient-newly-diagnosed-cancer.html http://www.asco.org/ASCOv2/MultiMedi...=114&trackID=2 NICU 4.4 LB Erythema Nodosum 85 Life-long Central Neurocytoma 4x5x6.5 cm 23 hrs 62090 semi-coma 10 d PT OT ST 30 d 3 Infertility tmts 99 > 3 u. fibroids > Pills CN 3 GKRS 52301 IDC 1.2 cm Her2 +++ ER 5% R. Lmptmy SLNB+1 71703 6 FEC 33 R Tamoxifen Recc IIB 2.5 cm Bi-L Mast 61407 2/9 nds PET 6 TCH Cellulitis - Lymphedema - compression sleeve & glove H w x 4 MUGA 51 D, J 49 M Diastasis recti Tamoxifen B. scan Irrtbl bowel 1'09 Colonoscopy 313 BRCA1 V1247I hptc hemangioma Vertigo GI - > yogurt hysterectomy/oophorectomy 011410 Exemestane 25 mg tab 102912 ~ 101016 stopped due to r. hip/l.thigh pain after long walk DEXA 1/13 1-2016 lesions in liver largest 9mm & 1.3 cm onco. says not cancer. 3-11 Appendectomy - visually O.K., a lot of puss. Final path result - not cancer. Start Vitamin D3 and Calcium supplement （600mg x2) 10-10 Stopped Exemestane due to r. hip/l.thigh pain OKed by Onco 11-08-2016 7-23-2018 9 mm groundglass nodule within the right lower lobe with indolent behavior. Due to possible adenocarcinoma, Recommend annual surveilence. 7-10-2019 CT to check lung nodule. 1-10-2020 8mm stable nodule on R Lung, two 6mm new ones on L Lung, a possible lymph node involvement in inter fissule. "I WANT TO BE AN OUTRAGEOUS OLD WOMAN WHO NEVER GETS CALLED AN OLD LADY. I WANT TO GET SHARP EDGED & EARTH COLORED, TILL I FADE AWAY FROM PURE JOY." Irene from Tampa Advocacy is a passion .. not a pastime - Joe