I Have Painful Scalp Bumps Across My Entire Crown!
Hi there, i just found your website and it is great.
I am a 26 year old white male. In 2006-07 i did a tour in Iraq. About a month before i headed back to the U.S. i developed a bump on my scalp, almost like a cyst or a boil. It came to a head and popped, but i noticed a bald spot in that place.
A few weeks later two bumps appeared and now 5 years later it has basically spread across the entire crown of my head sometimes one or two will appear close to my neckline also up top near my forehead.
I have mentioned this to my VA doctor and told him i want referred to a dermatologist or someone specializing in scalp conditions. He takes pictures and then i never hear anything again.
These bumps are extremely painful, sometimes causing me sleepless nights. I have researched and researched and dissecting cellulitus seems to resemble it the most.
Are there any shampoos that you recommend? Any advice will be taken very seriously, i am tired of, not only the pain, but the embarrassment of my scarred scalp and puss filled bumps.
Thank you for your time.
Based on what you’ve described, this sounds like carbunculosis, which is a contagious folliculitis (infections of the hair follicles) that moves from one hair follicle to another. The causes of this are bacteria or fungi, so a culture of one of these boils should be done by one of your doctors and the treatment will be determined once the cultures are reported back.
I am surprised that you are struggling to find a doctor who can make this diagnosis.
I have had something similar to what you describe on/off for a few years, and like you-only happens in areas where I have hair follicles (my head/beard). They also get hard, painful, and eventually pop or subside. Mine may be cystic acne (I had this 10+ years ago and took Accutane), but it sounds exactly like you described.
Some things I can recommend that might help:
#1-using a natural soap…I love Dr.Bronner’s soap/shampoo. You can get a bottle on Amazon for around $15 and it will last months. This soap has helped my skin/scalp a lot-and it smells really good…I recommend the peppermint kind.
#2-Apple cider vinegar supplements (or drink it straight up). This helps with skin infections, and is cheap. I take 1 a day.
#3-Clindamycin, the topical prescription has done great things for spot treatment on my skin. I can usually feel the bumps under my skin before they start to get red/irritated, so I put Clindamycin on them a couple times a day and this often keeps it from coming to a head and getting painful.
Sidenote: I do use Rogaine foam nightly as well as generic Finasteride (1/4 pill ever 2 days), but neither seems to have much impact positive or negative on the bumps.