I have itchy scalp issues and dry skin as well. It comes and goes with out any explanation. I have changed shampoos and conditioners like undies! Lol. I find that dandruff 2-1s have helped me a lot. It eases the itching. For me the back of my scalp itches right before a major flare up. I don't know if it is because of the stress that normally triggers a flare up of from the FM itself. I think its called TFal, its a serum that you apply to the scalp and that really calms down the irritation for me. I hope thing get better.

My hairdresser also suggested that I grind up prenatal vitamins and put them in a conditioner and leave it on your hair all day when you can, like put it on and then braid your hair up and away from the face and neck and just let it soak in. It has really helped get my hair stronger and helps prevent breakage and prevent excessive hair loss.

I get the creepy crawly skin thing a lot. It feels like bugs are crawling all over me. Especially at night time. I have been told that it is the nerves in over drive. It is maddening to say the least.

As far as your skin issues I would see a Dermatologist. Talk to your Doctor and see what he or she recommends. I would not try to treat what you are talking about and describing on your own. It sounds horrible with the peeling skin. Could be many things and best to see a Doctor so you don't get an infection.

When my scalp feels itchy I use Scalpicin. I don't have what you describe but it calms down that itchy feeling. If that makes sense.
But best to check with your Doctor.

I am sure other people will chime on and make suggestions.

OH YEA I do. My first year in college I developed Psoriasis. The college was in the desert and I was very stressed the first year. I had it so bad I won't even get into the gory details, but suffice to say I do have one bald spot at the base of my scalp and two small ones in front. You can't see them with my hair down fortunately.

With the help of a dermatologist, I got rid of it finally but I feel flare ups from time to time. I have been having it on/off the last couple years. I think it's autoimmune condition-?? It seems like stress and diet affect me. Also, when I wasn't being treated for THYROID, my hair fell out like crazy one summer. So you may want to check that. Maybe a Rheumy or Dermatologist can help you with your current issues. I get the scratchy creepy crawlies and dry patches on my elbows and heels. I use Jergens ultra healing daily and it gets rid of it.

Great to hear from you RS!!! Hope you are well otherwise.

If you can take vitamin and minerals helps the skin and hair. Hope you feel better soon.

Also talk to your primary Dr.

Hey guys! Thanks for sharing your comments. Really appreciate it.

My doctors have looked into possible hormone connection, and so far, as is so common with fibro, all my test came back "normal." so, as far as they are concerned there is no reason they can find for these issues. I have been referred to a dermatologist, and depending on the findings there, my gynecologist is thinking of sending me to an endocrinologist next.

In the meantime, I will try some of your suggestions to sooth the itchy scalp.

Thanks again. ;-)

my skin treatment is fairly simple but I've found it keeps me from itching myself raw I use a sugar scrub which is made using
3 parts coarse sugar
1 part olive oil
15-20 drops of your favorite essential oil or oil blend
granted a good chunk of the time i don't even add the essential oils it gets rid of the dead skin, works great to scrub before you shave your legs too if my skins really dry i'll apply some coconut oil or shea butter but generally the scrub does the trick since it contains oil.

I feel you on the scalp I have Psoriasis and the hot weather usually ends up giving me heat rash on the nap of my neck since my hair is so thick I find using slightly cooler water on my scalp helps *I love my hot showers but I'd rather keep my hair* I use Renpure Originals Argan Oil shampoo and conditioner I found that at least for me it helps keep my scalp from drying out and has actually kept my hair really healthy as i usually struggle to find a balance between to oily and to dry not to mention with the fibro it means that depending on the weather I might only have to wash my hair 1-2 times a week which depending on my energy level is worth it. it also means that depending on your hair you may be able to actually just rise off your scalp in between washes without having to reapply shampoo and conditioner.Great thing is it's not all that expensive it's like $7 or $8 bucks for 16oz bottle where I buy it and and even though my hair is pretty thick it still lasts me a fairly long time compared to even more expensive brands.Also as I found at least for me shampoos with gluten irritate my scalp and increase hair loss .

I HATE the itches!!!! I have scratched myself raw. I never know when it will happen and can't link it to anything...over than stress. I mean I live my daily life with a level of stress that would send a lot of folks running head first into a breakdown (1. fibro, 2. Chronic Fatigue, 3. Single Mother, 4. Side Effects from Meds, 5. Teen age Daughter, 6. Daughter who is also Bipolar, ADHD and HORMONAL....etc. etc etc.). But there are those times - like when the school started having meeting about starting high school...or when I had to help plan the school's big fundraiser...and that is when the itching would start. I talked to my doc and he agreed that it was anxiety that was causing my itch. The anxiety stresses our already overloaded immune system and causes the itch...so he told me to increase by allergy med and use cortisone cream if needed. I haven't had another "flare" since I started doing this...

Over a rear ago, my sister and I read a book, Hair Gone Wild, by Diane Kidman ; she explains all the chemicals in shampoos and conditioners, and how our ancestors didn't use chemicals on their hair. My hair was falling out due to Methotrexate, but now, it is thick healthy and shiny, same for my sister. Eight months ago, I had to attend a four day workshop in Las Vegas, and forgot my mixture, so I stupidly used shampoo, my hair fell out for a week. What a difference her advice has made.

Duh, I forgot to add, I was experiencing the itching, flaking and weird skin sensations, and they have disappeared.

My skin usually has that crawly feeling, but homeopathic remedies have helped a small degree. The head itching I experienced was related to meds, so I went off them. My skin has significantly changed over the course of a year, color, dryness, spots, very strange looking on my arms. Nothing can be found wrong. Creams and oils do little to help. You're not alone!

Funny you should mention because just today I literally got out of the shower and my face and neck out of nowhere just felt enflamed and got all red and splotchy and itchy. I use anti-itch lotions when I get those sort of flares (I've had problems with eczema since I was a kid) and they eventually do help to soothe the itch and inflammation. But today it was so bad I put a wet cloth on my face and neck for a while just trying to cool it and I could feel the heat coming through. It was really severe - and it wasn't like I used anything new or different in the shower on my face or neck; plus it was a cool shower at that so I can't even blame it on the water being too hot (which does make my skin worse).

I've been dealing with an increase in hair loss of late too, like my hair just winds up everywhere and I can't manage to stop it. I've given up on even styling it unless I'm going out somewhere special just to lessen the overworking on it but it's still falling out. Not to the point where I have bald patches because I've got a very full head of hair thankfully. I take daily vitamin supplements but that doesn't help curb it (or the skin issues). I've talked to doctors about it too and much like the rest of you, tests always come back negative so they just shrug, and since I'm not balding no one sees it as an issue but me.

The skin and hair issues, like everything else fibro come and go for me. I guess it's just another something to get used to, but it is a comfort to know others deal with the same issues so at least I know it's not a total different issue I'm dealing with.