The Quest for Managing an Angry Scalp Do I have dandruff? Seborrheic dermatitis? Psoriasis? The jury is… still out. Over the years, different dermatologists have diagnosed me with all three. For the longest time, I was convinced it was scalp psoriasis especially because my flares were mostly on my scalp and ears. Then I saw a new derm who mentioned seborrheic dermatitis, and I was sure she was wrong… until I started researching. Here’s the simple version of what I’ve learned: 📝DANDRUFF is often the “milder” stage: white or yellowish flakes and itch from an irritated, oily scalp. 📝 SEBORRHEIC DERMATITIS is like dandruff turned up a notch or 12: redness, itch, and greasy or dry flakes/scales on the scalp, ears, and even the face (nose, eyebrows, forehead, chin) where oil production is highest. 🔎Both dandruff and seb derm are linked to an overgrowth of a yeast called Malassezia, which naturally lives on everyone’s skin and loves to feed on skin oils (sebum) and certain rich oils and products. 🔎For some of us, our skin is extra sensitive (or borderline allergic) to this yeast and the byproducts it creates—so no matter how “clean” we are, the flakes still show up. This is a skin condition, not a hygiene issue. 📝PSORIASIS is different: it’s an autoimmune condition that can cause thicker, well-defined, often silvery scales and can show up on the scalp and other areas of the body. Then the lightbulb went off. I get dry, flaky eyebrows, flakes around my nose (especially the sides), random chin whiteheads, and dry patches. Nothing dramatic—just consistently, relentlessly annoying. And it’s only ever shown up on my ears, scalp, and T-zone. Hmmm… could this all be connected? After months of digging through research, articles, and far too many Reddit threads, I’m pretty convinced the answer is yes: it’s all part of the same puzzle. Here’s what I’ve learned along the way: 🫧 Wash more often during flares (2x/week instead of once). 🌫️ Dry shampoo = last resort, not daily. 🧴 Skip harsh products + heavy oils on the scalp. 🥗 Support from the inside (diet, gut health, supplements). 😵💫 Manage stress where you can—it always shows up on the scalp. 💦 Never sleep on wet hair. 🙅♀️ Hands off your scalp – avoid scratching, picking, or “searching” for spots. 🧼 Clean brushes, combs & tools regularly– deep clean with soap, not just de-fuzz. 🧢 Avoid hats during active flares – they trap heat and humidity and can make everything angrier. If you’re struggling with your scalp… You’ve tried Nizoral, Head & Shoulders, T-Gel, Selsun Blue, all the things—and still feel helpless. The itch, scabs, and flakes are driving you mad. You just want to wear a black top without a “snowstorm,” and you miss being able to throw your hair up without worrying what the back looks like. I see you. I’ve been you. This list is a roundup of the products and approaches that have helped me find peace—and a more peaceful scalp over the years. It’s not a cure (these conditions tend to ebb and flow), but I finally have tools to treat, soothe, and calm the flares. I hope something here gives you relief, too. 💛 (Always check with your derm or doctor, especially if you’re unsure what you have-this is my lived experience, not medical advice.) More detail for my deep dive Besties 😉 🥗 Dialing in my diet Certain foods clearly trigger more inflammation and flares for me, so paying attention to what I eat has helped more than I wanted to admit. 😵💫 Managing stress (as best I can) Stress pours gasoline on every flare. When my nervous system is calmer, my scalp almost always is too. 🧴 Avoiding harsh ingredients Stripping shampoos, super-strong fragrances, and aggressive actives = instant irritation for my scalp. 🛢️ Being picky with oils Heavy oils on the scalp usually make things worse. Only a couple lightweight, scalp-safe options work for me. 🫧 Washing more often during flares In “calm” seasons, I used to wash about once a week. During a flare, I wash at least twice a week with gentle, scalp-safe formulas to keep buildup, yeast, and oil in check. 🌫️ Keeping dry shampoo for emergencies only Dry shampoo is now a last resort if I truly can’t wash. Overusing it made my scalp more irritated and crunchy, not cleaner. 🦠 Supporting gut health + using targeted supplements Once I focused on my gut and added a few key supplements (with my doctor), my flares became less intense and less frequent. 🧘♀️ Keeping my routine simple Less is more—fewer products, gentler routines, and consistency over perfection. 💦 Never going to bed with wet hair Sleeping on wet hair keeps my scalp damp for hours, and I’ve noticed it almost always leads to more itch and flakes—so I avoid it now. 🙅♀️ Hands off your scalp If you’ve struggled with scalp issues as long as I have, your hands will wander. You feel around for scabs, flakes, bumps—sometimes without even realizing it. But dirty hands + scratching and picking = more inflammation, more broken skin, and more flare-ups. Hard to resist, but truly: don’t do it if you can help it. 🧼 Clean your brushes, combs & tools regularly I’m embarrassed by how long I neglected this step. Not just pulling out old hair and fuzz—actually deep cleaning brushes, combs, and hair tools with soap and warm water. Product buildup, oil, and flakes live there, and putting that back on your scalp is a recipe for irritation 🧢 Avoid hats during a flare As cozy as they are, hats trap heat and create a humid little greenhouse on your scalp—aka the perfect environment for yeast and irritation. During an active flare, I skip hats as much as possible.
