Polymyositis & Dermatomyositis Support Group

Polymyositis (PM) is a type of chronic inflammation of the muscles (inflammatory myopathy) related to dermatomyositis and inclusion body myositis. The inflammation is predominantly of the endomysium in polymyositis, whereas dermatomyositis is characterized by primarily perimysial inflammation.

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Scalp Itching

LuckyBabe
LuckyBabe
Although my DM continues in remission I struggle with extremely dry scalp and continuous scalp itching - so bad it has been disrupting sleep. After doing some research I read about cytokines - little messengers in your body that tell it to inflame. Omega 3 helps regulate these little guys. I have been eating walnuts, more fish, taking an Omega fish oil tab, and eating tofu. It seems to be helping - the red scalp is better and itching is much improved. Additionally my cuticles have improved. Anyone have any experience or first hand knowledge about cytokines... what I read was random from the internet?!
nanny1611
nanny1611
Interesting question. Anxious to read what others know about the cytokines. I've read the term, but don't know how they impact us. Here are a few helpful websites that I found, but need to study more closely.
http://arthritis.about.com/od/inflammation/f/cytokines.htm
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2785020/
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16769651
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19726994
http://www.metaphysical.ca/IIM/causes.html
autumm
autumm
Hi Luckybabe and Nanny. Interesting posts. I think these are used in the Anti TNF drugs used if Dmards don't work but don't really understand any of it. It's great to know something is working for itchy scalp. Autumm
trpt1
trpt1
Hi LuckyBabe, I will try to answer your question...

An inflammatory cytokine or autoimmune processes are induced by microbial bacteria. A pathogenic microbe might cause disease directly. A cytokine is a convoluted, complex INDIRECT method of infection. For example, a tuberculosis infection (pathogenic) induces an inflammatory cytokine that then itself causes severe tissue damage. Cytokines come out of infectious pathogens (bacteria).

Our chemoprophylaxis medications kill microbial bacteria, parasites and fungi.

Here is another analogy...a hurricane is like a pathogen and the outer squall line bands of rain are like cytokines spinning off the hurricane.

I have an article, but I think Nanny gave us plenty to read on the subject.

I hope this helps. Best Wishes.
autumm
autumm
Hi Trpt. What an answer. Wish my brain worked like yours. Autumm
LuckyBabe
LuckyBabe
Read an additional article on cytokines and inflammation. Looks like Omega 3 combined with and adult aspirin helps. Been doing the Omega 3 tab with aspirin five days and scalp redness and itching is much improved. Also eat about 10 walnut halves a day. Will let everyone know how this progresses.