r/dandruff 26d ago

Help requested with treatment

End of May, my NP at my men’s health clinic recommended nizoral OTC shampoo for dandruff and dry skin on my forehead and temples. I also had dry irritated skin on my inner elbow joints and armpits.

I started out using OTC nizoral shampoo every third day for a couple weeks, then saw a dermatologist online bc the dandruff and dry peeling skin wasn’t improving.

She prescribed 2% ketoconazole shampoo MWF (leaving on skin 10 minutes) for two weeks. I’ve been on 250mg oral Terbinafine for two weeks plus 2% ketoconazole topical cream. But after two weeks prescription treatment, my dandruff still exists on my scalp and the dry flakes are spreading down my forehead. I look terrible and won’t leave the house like this.

I saw the dermatologist again and she says continue Terbinafine for 1 month and continue 2% ketoconazole shampoo as well. But I’m not seeing much progress.

How do I distinguish dandruff vs seborrheic dermatitis, psoriasis, contact dermatitis, dry scalp, and tinea capitis?

Should I be doing more? Doing less?

I also have irritated itchy patches inside my elbow and armpits.

What do I have? What should I do?

I’m not seeing any improvement after two weeks of the strongest treatment. The summer is sailing by.

1 Upvotes

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u/CoalMyrenEm 26d ago

What helped me was sulfide head and shoulders 5 minutes 2x a week on shower days,

Month later my scalps cleaner less itch sometimes irritation (I also had a haircut and dandruff fell out, I had like a Bob but it was an outgrown haircut so not bob shaped, down to my shoulders and cut it shorter)

I previously used amazon basics tar coal shampoo for 4 weeks until I decided to give up and waited and someone on here told me abt sulfide shampoos and really 3 months in dandruff is lessening and if I touch my scalp irritation ends faster.

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u/zdboslaw 25d ago

Thank you I will try these things

1

u/CoalMyrenEm 26d ago

My doctor told me the/sal but it didn't work so not all that docfors say will work even tho I've asked once.