Sly Bald Guys Forum

Head Shaving, Grooming & Care => Head Shaving => Topic started by: cincydavid on April 17, 2010, 12:51:40 AM

Title: nm
Post by: cincydavid on April 17, 2010, 12:51:40 AM
nm
Title: Re: My scalp is breaking out in back- Can you diagnose me? (pics)
Post by: omegapd on April 17, 2010, 01:05:11 AM
Do you shave against the grain in the back with a blade? I had to give up shaving ATG on the back of my head because of the same problems. I'm pretty sure it had to do with using too much pressure. Now, I shave the back of my head from the top down with very little pressure and all of the similar bumps I had disappeared after a week or so. 
Title: Re: My scalp is breaking out in back- Can you diagnose me? (pics)
Post by: cincydavid on April 17, 2010, 01:11:20 AM
nm
Title: Re: My scalp is breaking out in back- Can you diagnose me? (pics)
Post by: omegapd on April 17, 2010, 01:27:22 AM
No prob. I had to weigh my options with the super smooth shave or having those bumps pop up.  Good luck.  O0 Fill us in on what the doc says if you go.
Title: Re: My scalp is breaking out in back- Can you diagnose me? (pics)
Post by: cincydavid on April 17, 2010, 01:31:13 AM
nm
Title: Re: My scalp is breaking out in back- Can you diagnose me? (pics)
Post by: Gambrinus on April 17, 2010, 03:31:05 AM
What is your shave routine?  Give us a step by step.  Might be able to clear it up by adjusting your approach. 
Title: Re: My scalp is breaking out in back- Can you diagnose me? (pics)
Post by: Ming the Merciless on April 17, 2010, 04:20:48 AM
It's more than "irritation."  Some of them are clearly infected (the ones that have headed up, and others may be on the way).  A return to the dermatologist is strongly suggested.  I have no idea what the cause is.  Contaminated razor?
Title: Re: My scalp is breaking out in back- Can you diagnose me? (pics)
Post by: The Noggin on April 17, 2010, 04:34:57 AM
I can only guess but it looks like acne to me.
Title: Re: My scalp is breaking out in back- Can you diagnose me? (pics)
Post by: Gambrinus on April 17, 2010, 05:53:12 AM
It's more than "irritation."  Some of them are clearly infected (the ones that have headed up, and others may be on the way).  A return to the dermatologist is strongly suggested.  I have no idea what the cause is.  Contaminated razor?

I agree.  I tend to get acne on my head when I have a dirty razor too.  Do you wear a ball cap a lot?  I have had that break out my head too.  I'm on board with the dermatologist, but I will tell you right now that he/she will more than likely tell you to stop shaving your head.  Sometimes you can adjust your technique and habits to clear these things up.
Title: Re: My scalp is breaking out in back- Can you diagnose me? (pics)
Post by: stemikger on April 17, 2010, 07:28:55 AM
Cincydavid, I'm no determatologist but used to be a barber.  That looks exactley like irritation from going against the grain or getting too close.  My dad was a baber also and used to do the old style straight edge shaves.  The few times I had one done, I got the same exact rash.

If I were you, I'd lay off shaving for a week, then cut it down with a clipper and if you want the bald look do it with an electric razor.

The few times, I shaved with a razor, I got pretty bad rashes also, but since I have started doing it with the Conair Cleanhead, it gets just as close with no irritation and rash.  However,  the rash also has acne mixed in with it, so I would lay off the shaving for at least a week.

Having said all that, still see your dermatologist for a real expert opinion.  However, I would say 99.9% it is a bad rash with acne, nothing more.  The best cure is to let it heal and leave it alone, right now shaving it will only make it worse.
Title: Re: My scalp is breaking out in back- Can you diagnose me? (pics)
Post by: Mikekoz13 on April 17, 2010, 08:06:45 AM
Let us know your shave routine and the products you use. One of the products may be irratating you. I had a breakout last Summer that I couldn't shake.... so I started rotating products out of my shave routine one at a time until I found the culprit. Unfortunately for me it was Shave Secret. I stopped using it and in a few days the shaving bumps disappeared.
Title: Re: My scalp is breaking out in back- Can you diagnose me? (pics)
Post by: RyanJP on April 17, 2010, 09:07:35 AM
That my friend is irritation, I get the same mild thing on the back of my neck at times and it's usually relieved in about an hour after. I would say if you decide to make contact with skin with a razor go as gently as possilble and going with the grain might relieve the stress. The other thing and without giving info in your shave routine prep is might want to invest in some Clearhead from headblade which has salycylic acid will prevent any irritation and breakouts, the other thing and you can get it real cheap is benzoyl peroxide to use for a face wash before you shave as well.

Numerous things can be causing that, what type of razor, the shaving cream/gel might can attribute to that breakout as well as not using enough hot water. %99 of the time I shave is after I get out of a nice hot shower and it just works better IMO.
Title: Re: My scalp is breaking out in back- Can you diagnose me? (pics)
Post by: D.A.L.U.I. on April 17, 2010, 09:32:11 AM
Looks like acne or a contact dermatitis.  Wash two to three times a day with mild anti-acne soap, like Cuticura, wipe clean w/ an astringent.  Change your pillowcases often.  Clean or throw out old hats you may be wearing.  Avoid any products w/ oil that could clog the pores. 
Title: Re: My scalp is breaking out in back- Can you diagnose me? (pics)
Post by: ozzie on April 17, 2010, 03:20:58 PM
Looks like acne or a contact dermatitis.  Wash two to three times a day with mild anti-acne soap, like Cuticura, wipe clean w/ an astringent.  Change your pillowcases often.  Clean or throw out old hats you may be wearing.  Avoid any products w/ oil that could clog the pores. 
I agree with saintc's diagnosis. And his prescription should do the trick. But lay off the razor for a bit too. Give your skin time to recover it's natural health.
Title: Re: My scalp is breaking out in back- Can you diagnose me? (pics)
Post by: pdxtodd on April 17, 2010, 04:46:23 PM
Saintc's approach cured me the time or two I broke out in exactly the same area.  For me it was bald guyz gel and not changing my pillow case often enough.   Washing frequently and using an astringent cleared it right up and haven't had problems since.   I do shave against the grain.
Title: Re: My scalp is breaking out in back- Can you diagnose me? (pics)
Post by: cincydavid on April 18, 2010, 01:06:30 AM
nm
Title: Re: My scalp is breaking out in back- Can you diagnose me? (pics)
Post by: cincydavid on April 18, 2010, 01:08:13 AM
nm
Title: Re: My scalp is breaking out in back- Can you diagnose me? (pics)
Post by: pdxtodd on April 18, 2010, 09:11:46 AM
I did break out badly when I started using Bald Guyz Gel.  There's something in that mixture that my scalp doesn't like.  As soon as I switched back to head slick the problem went away. 
Title: Re: My scalp is breaking out in back- Can you diagnose me? (pics)
Post by: Morthen on April 18, 2010, 08:34:29 PM
i heard shaving against the grain with some individuals can give some nasty ingrown hairs. so that may be the cause, you may just want to go see a dermatologist again. and if its cleared up by then show him the pics and see what he says
Title: Re: My scalp is breaking out in back- Can you diagnose me? (pics)
Post by: GnomeansGno on April 19, 2010, 01:14:09 AM
You have Scalp folliculitis.  I'm still currently dealing with the same problem, though it's gotten much better thanks to going to a dermatologist.  First he gave me evoclin foam, which I still use twice a day.  It took a bit of time to work, but I saw a massive improvement.  I still wasn't satisfied though, as I still got minor break-outs from time to time.  I decided to get a second opinion from another dermatologist.  He prescribed me Sulfameth/Trimethoprim 800/160.  Believe it or not, this actually made my problem worse at first.  I got a bad break out for the first time in months, and it almost gave me a heart attack.  I called him right away and told him what happened, and he said it's a side effect of that particular medication.  He said give it a week, and if it doesn't clear up, to come back.  I then gave it a week, and my scalp cleared up dramatically.  I literally had maybe one or two bumps.  It was the best my scalp looked in a LONG time.  That was last week.  A week later, my scalp still looks good, but I have a few more bumps.  Honestly, this is something that's hard to get rid of.  I was told by BOTH dermatologists that it can come and go at anytime, and you just have to keep trying to control it.  It sucks, but that's life.   I was also told that more people have it then you think, only difference is that being bald it's extremely noticeable, where as people with hair it isn't since hair covers it.   Any way, definitely see a dermatologists, and get him to prescribe you something.  Over the counter stuff doesn't work (at least for me it didn't).
Title: Re: My scalp is breaking out in back- Can you diagnose me? (pics)
Post by: cincydavid on April 19, 2010, 02:48:12 PM
nm
Title: Re: My scalp is breaking out in back- Can you diagnose me? (pics)
Post by: GnomeansGno on April 19, 2010, 08:36:01 PM

Thanks for that post.  I was able to contact my derm and move my appointment up from 6/8 to 4/27.  Is it possible for them to do a test to determine for certain that it is folliculitis?  I'm pretty certain that it is at this point, but I would like the verification.

Honestly, my derm took a look at it and knew what it was right away.  That said, I would have preferred him to have tested me to see what kind of folliculitis it is (there's different kinds, though they all require similar treatments).  When I go back I'm going to ask him to test what kind of folliculitis it is (assuming it isn't gone).


Also, if it stems from infected hair follicles, would laser surgery be a possible remedy?  

You know, I have read about this before from another people wanting to do it, but I haven't talked to anyone who has done it.  If laser surgery can get rid of folliculitis for good, I'd be all for doing it.  I'd rather never have hair again, if it can get rid of folliculitis for good.  It's better than having to take drugs all of my life to control it.
Title: Re: My scalp is breaking out in back- Can you diagnose me? (pics)
Post by: Dom_NY on April 21, 2010, 03:02:53 AM
Stop shaving against the grain.  Apply Witch Hazel several times a day and get a prescription for Doryx.