itchy scalp with big flakes

[sora]

Hi,
I've been having dandruff problem for years. Nothing seems to work although it has disappeared magically during my pregnancy. Now that I'm 4 month postpartum the problem is back full strength.
The scalp is very itchy and extremely flaky. After washing my hair, it is worse. Big flakes! I've used natural shampoo made of tea tree oil and rosemary. It doesn't work. Yesterday, I tried apple cider vinegar diluted with water and left it for the day and washed it out. but It didn't work. If I keep doing it for a while, will it get better? I just put the vinegar full strength hoping this might work.
Can anyone suggest any other remedies?
I've stopped taking multivitamins a month ago. I'm thinking that may contribute to this. I've also noticed my lips are chapped too. Thanks.

[anamama]

Try taking some flax seed oil everyday, like a tablespoonfull or two. Also, try to remember to take your vitamins (I know it's hard ), especially if you are breastfeeding. And drink fluids. I hope it gets better soon!

[LoriG]

I think I get the same thing as you! It's not small dandruff flakes .. it's like big crusts of scalp that you can scratch off right (ok that sounded so sick LOL)? I also don't get it all over my head, just in certain spots, mostly the front and by my temples.
I've noticed that if I remember to take my EFA's (primrose oil and flax oil), it seems to fix it from the inside out. But sometimes in the winter I get it anyway, and I rub some coconut oil directly on the spots before I wash my hair, and that helps also with loosening the big flakes and getting them off.

[Marni]

Oh boy, I have this too! Like the OP, also mostly around my temples and front of scalp. ANd it TOTALLY went away with both my pregnancies -- and immediately returned post pardum even WHILE taking vitamins. I think I will try the flax seed though. SOunds smart.

I rub a little jojoba oil into the areas about once a week and let it soak a couple hours before shampooing. Helps de-scale a bit. But I too would LOVE to find a permanent solution (IF one exists)

[CarrieMF]

I used to have it until I stopped washing my hair all the time. Now i wash it once a week and rarely do I have any dandruff. If I do I wash it once, making sure to really get the shampoo out.

[ccasanova]

I'm kind of in the same boat although it's not huge flakes. Still a big nuisance though! Do you know why the flax seed oil works? I've been meaning to try this but haven't commited yet. I've read that a candida problem can cause dandruff. Do any of you eat a lot of sweets, take BC pills, taken antibiotics in the past? I have a major sweet tooth, and have mirena. I'm also starting to wonder if drinking coffee is contributing. If my stomach is already too acidic because of the major sugar, the coffee is probably making it even more acidy. I've been meaning to take a probiotic to to see if this helps. If I can just commit to going off of sugar for two weeks and doing a candida cleanse, I would be able to see if that helps. I keep procrastinating though because it's one holiday after another or something else that causes me to put it off. One day soon though...

[BeagleMommy]

My husband has always had dandruff. Used special shampoos (that didn't work) and everything. He has very (military cut) short hair and when I went no poo he did too. He just uses baking soda to wash and no vinegar rinse since his hair is so short. But it really cleared up his dandruff. He scrubs with his fingertips and I'm betting that's what does it.
Before the no poo, he was (and still is) taking lots of fish oil (high in DHA) and probiotics daily. That didn't do the trick for him.