Beyond dandruff

> Since adolescence I've had seborrhea. Symptoms> include itchy scabs and flakiness. It gets worse> when I'm under stress. I've had this in different> areas of my scalp over the years and have had> it in my eyebrows, in and around my ears and beside> my nose. I've used a prescription shampoo that> contains ketoconazole (not sure of spelling),> but that stuff is $17 per 2 oz bottle! Ow! Can> anyone help? Signed, RunningWildGreetings - Running Wild!My first suggestion is to immediately throw out any bottle of tar or salt based dandruff shampoos - they are a temporary fix that will actually perpetuate the Psoriasis/ Pityriasis (dandruff) challenge. When some one develops Psoriasis/pityriasis it comes in one of two types - either waxy or dry; the former is caused by the over production of the sebaceous gland and the latter by underproduction of the same gland . The sebaceous gland is located halfway down the hair follicle shaft that contains the hairshaft below the skins surface. This gland is regulated by a nerve and is responsible for the amount of sebum or hair oil on your scalp. If the sebaceous gland over or under produces then it places the scalp out of it's proper PH balance of 4.5 -5.5 and this causes one of the two types of dandruff you can experience. So the goal to eliminate your dandruff challenge is to get the scalp back into a balanced PH. When you use a tar or salt based product like head-n-shoulders, selsen-blue or prell you're placing a product on your head with the high PH of permanent wave solutions and this simply strips the outer layer of cuticle or skin from your scalp so you temporarily don't see any flaking, however, this will actually keep the dandruff coming back. Not to mention that you've just killed off your skin's good acid bacteria that fights off the bad alkaline bacteria that could give you scalp infections. My recommendations are drink lot's of water, unstress your life and find a shampoo and conditioner of a low PH (4.5 - 5.5).Some suggestions I will make are (the descriptions here are from copied from the manufacturer):Try Autograf® Dare to Wear Black scalp specific shampoo (full money-back guarantee from Manufacturer)At last - an exciting alternative for the problem scalp! 7% collagen protein gives our formula substantive conditioning properties that end the quarrel of scalp control vs. shiny, bouncy, manageable hair. Autograf's® specialized shampoo has an exciting new scent, yields rich creamy lather and uses an exclusive ingredient. Application to skin results in cleansed, refreshed,comfortably silky skin that is resistant to bacteria and germs.Autograf® Dare to Wear Black scalp specific shampoo contains 7% Collagen which supports the de-flaking process by being a natural humectant. Collagen bonds at 30 times its weight in moisture ... you cannot over moisturize with it though, because it only bonds where there are gaps to fill in the hair.It is the most balanced moisturizer available when properly formulated. This means, that besides moisturizing and strengthening the hair, which is observable in the extra body created for your hair, it moisturizes the scalp. This lessens the call for oil and prevents the irritating flaking due to air condition changes experienced at such times as flying, sealed air systems and the seasonal climate changes.Also try the KMS Puritives® line of hair care products: KMS Puritives was developed as a 100% fragrance-free, 100% color-free, 100% alcohol-free, healthy haircare regimen for intrinsic or acquired scalp sensitivities. Each product contains the purest, food-grade ingredient systems, salon tested to promote the healthiest hair and scalp possible without risk of irritation.hth- ~MickhaelRelated Link:World Wide Beauty Store.com