Scalp eczema
Eczema sufferers can be prone to dry scalp. Red patches, scales, and severe dandruff is likely classified as seborrheic dermatitis. There’s a specific sub for it: r/SebDerm
This post and this post in that sub are worth a look; the most helpful part of that first post is pasted below:
“What I found is key is that the protocol needs to consist of three components: 1) destroy the biofilm, 2) kill malassezia, and 3) rebuild skin barrier.
Some ingredients for:
- destroying the biofilm: xylitol, ACV, and selenium sulfide, MCT oil without lauric acid
- killing malassezia: ciclopirox, ketoconazole, coal tar, zinc pyrithione, and MCT oil without lauric acid
- rebuilding skin barrier: panthenol (vitamin B5), niacinamide (vitamin B3), glycerin, and aloe vera
Salicylic acid is not anti fungal per se, but it’s great at removing the scales, regulating sebum production, and calming down inflammation.”
For myself, personally: I find that salicylic acid shampoo helps a lot to exfoliate and shed the flakes and buildup (I use every other day if my scalp is irritated), and coal tar shampoo soothes the redness if it gets really bad (I use once a week as needed).
For specific product recs check the the “Scalp/Seborrheic Dermatitis” section at the bottom of the products page