Shampooing

The Inflamed Scalp

When I first got eczema on my scalp, I just kept shampooing it every day to get rid of the flaking.  My scalp became very red, inflamed and terribly itchy.  As it worsened, I used shampoos for scalp problems like Nizoral and T-Gel.  My scalp became even more inflamed.  It got so bad that I lost half of my hair.  
 

How I Recovered

Since shampooing wasn't helping, I decided to apply the theory that "soap can hurt damaged skin", and I began the backward habit of just using water to wash my hair for four days.  Steadily, the inflammation and flaking subsided.  I also used apple cider vinegar and a tiny bit of jojoba oil on the scalp while I was "recovering from shampoo damage" and combating any possible fungus.  Later, I discovered yogurt was the best thing to use.  See, also, the Bacterial Web Page, because using Sea Breeze or another astringent or toner can also be helpful like vinegar in this regard.  

pH of Hair Products is Very Important
When we don't use pH balanced products on the hair, the alkaline shampoos can mess up our scalp .... and our hair, because it's the acidic pH that makes the cuticle of the hair lay flat making hair healthier and shinier.  Alkaline hair products not only destroy our natural acid mantle on our scalp which is supposed to protect us from bacteria and fungus, but they also opens the cuticle of the hair and damages hair.  So, when you buy hair products, go to a salon or a beauty supply store and ask them for hair products that are acidic and not alkaline.  You can also search for "acidic pH hair products" on the Net.  Yogurt has a pH of 4.2.
 

Shampooing Habits

When I was recovering, I washed my hair just every 4th day.  In between those days, I rinsed any excess salt, dust or oils out of the hair with warm water and then rinsed with cool water.  If my scalp ever gets itchy, I use apple cider vinegar or Sea Breeze and it stops the itch and prevents the scalp from going crazy like it did before.  A tablespoon of Sea Breeze in a cup and a half of water as a final rinse is also helpful.  Generally, you can rinse it every day and use conditioner ... just don't use shampoo every day (once or twice a week is much better for you).

I didn't get my whole body wet when washing my hair.  Just leaned over the side of the bathtub and washed my hair that way.  That avoided getting suds over the rest of my skin.  Using plastic gloves and a long handled back brush to wash your hair and your children's hair will spare your hands as well.

Rinse conditioners with out with cold (not warm) water.
 

Chemicals in Shampoos

The chemicals sodium laureth/lauryl sulfate can irritate sensitive skin.  These chemicals help form suds.

The Ingredients Web Page may also help clear up some issues about chemicals.  
 

Jojoba Oil

Jojoba oil is helpful.1.  You can find the oil in your local health food stores.  
 

Hair Loss

See The Hair Loss Web Page for some hope.