Hello doctor, I am a 20-year-old male. I am having an itchy, red sore, painful scalp with hair loss. Doctor prescribed me Minoxidil, Multivitamins, and shampoo. I am not using minoxidil because of its side effects. Please help.
Hello. I have seen your attached photograph. (attachment removed to protect patient identity). I hope the following suggestions are able to help you: 1) As of now do not restart Minoxidil as it may end up irritating the scalp further. Of course, you may restart it once the primary issue has settled. Similarly, make sure what kind of shampoo has been suggested to you. I prefer to use a shampoo that has an anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and inflammation-reducing properties. e.g. a shampoo containing Betadine (BETADINE-AD Shampoo). Apply the shampoo gently over the scalp with gentle massage and leave on for three to five minutes, then rinse off with cool water. Do this every day for five days, then alternate days for a week. Then you may resume your normal shampoo. 2) The strongest possibility of your scalp sore is that of a scalp Furuncle, which is a bacterial infection of the scalp roots. For this, take the following medicines (I have mentioned few common trade names of the medicines for your benefit). a) Antibiotic containing Amoxycillin 500 mg and Clavulanic acid 125 mg (625 mg) dose capsules. You need to take one capsule two times a day for five days. Trade names: Capsule Augmentin or Amoclan or Amoxiclav or Clavor. b) Since any antibiotic may cause a little stomach upset, take a probiotic capsule containing Lactobacilli (yogurt bacteria) once a day or you may also take yogurt twice a day. c) Anti-inflammatory medicine to reduce pain and swelling. Take a tablet containing Diclofenac Sodium 50 mg twice a day for three days. Take this tablet after breakfast and after dinner. Trade names: Cataflam or Diclofen or Dicloced or Diclogesic or Volfenac. 3) If symptoms persist, it may be a pointer towards a possible fungal infection, for which you will need a hair root test for KOH (Potassium Hydroxide) 10% to detect the fungus. I hope this helps.