Itching head 9 months after FUE

[Unitedfc]

My introduction to everyone.

I'm a 37 year old male battling male pattern baldness.First noticed hair loss when I was 30. Got on Propecia when I turned 32. It appears to be working with no health related problems.
Had my first ever FUE hair transplant at 36, I'm 9 months post op. I'm happy with the growth and how natural it looks.The issue I have is with my donor, it won't stop itching. I contacted my doctor who suggested changing shampoos. I've done this several times with no luck. I wake up during the night with an uncontrollable urge to scratch. It's driving me crazy and the interrupted sleep pattern is causing me feel tired all the time.Does anyone have any suggestions what I can try to stop this itching?
Things I've tried.
Baby shampoo
Head and shoulders itchy Scalp
Nizorelle
Nizorelle
Witch Hazel extract
Aloe Vera soothing gel

My head never ever itched like this, it began around 2 weeks after my FUE steadily increasing to this day. I'm now thinking I may have some sort of infection under the skin, maybe I caught something during the surgery. Or maybe I have buried or transacted grafts under there and the clinic does not want to admit to this possibility.

Has anyone experienced anything like this? I'm desperate to find a solution.

 

[Bigmac]

You may have an underlying skin condition. I would try to see your doctor in person for an evaluation of your situation. You could also try seeing a Trichologist or Dermatologist if possible.

It could be Folliculits causing it also. Have you any pictures you can post? This will help.

 

[Unitedfc]

Thanks for the reply. I think it may be folliculitis, I'm trying to post a picture but it won't load.

 

[Bigmac]

If you email them to [email protected] i will add them.

 

[Unitedfc]

Here is a close up picture

 

[Bastion]

I can see red pimples which indicate Folliculitis.

 

[Bigmac]

It does look like you have some red spots indicating folliculitis. A warm wet cloth applied for a few minutes helps but if not a mild medicated shampoo may be needed or a visit to your doctor.

 

[JoeTillman]

I agree with Bigmac. There shouldn't be reason for concern as it will only take mild attention to resolve. Has the intensity varied since your procedure or has it been consistent?

 

[Unitedfc]

It began with the odd itch around my scalp, then it would feel sore to touch but still itchy. Now it feels itchy every day. When I scratch I can feel scabs or crusts forming the following day. My partner took a close look at these, squeezing one that was yellow resulting in blood and puss exiting out but no hair.
The more I read it all points to folliculitis but I do feel my scalp has been damaged in some way with the general redness all over. I'm going to try an anti fungal shampoo that was suggested by my wife's hairdresser. Maybe this will achieve something.
If I happen to have buried or dead grafts in my scalp, how do I go about having them removed?

 

[JoeTillman]

There could be other issues going on that causes this problem and you mentioned one already; dead grafts. More specifically, it could be hair particles, remnants of damaged hairs or impacted follicles that are buried in the donor tissue. The body sees these as foreign particles and tries to get them out of the body. These are issues that have to work themselves out, literally and figuratively, over time as the body ejects them but they won't be resolved quickly.

 

[Unitedfc]

My partner gently squeezed a big sore pimple with tweezers which was causing a lot of discomfort. Sure enough amongst the blood and goo was a little curled up hair with no bulb thing on the end, just the hair itself. Would this be a buried or dead graft?

 

[Unitedfc]

I've got what appears to be a cyst on the back of my head. The discomfort woke me up a number of times during the night. It's very hard, feels like a pea under the skin which won't squeeze. Would it be ok if my partner sticks a sterile pin in it to make it pop?

 

[JoeTillman]

You may indeed have buried grafts. Having your partner help with this may be a good idea but, ideally, you should visit a derm to have this done.

 

[Unitedfc]

We popped it after a few attempts, my partner says it was was like a little rubber ball that moved around when she attempted to stick it with the pin. She had to nip the skin to keep it in place before the pin would go in. A hard white substance emerged after some intense squeezing, no hair or bulb though.
It has all but gone with the aid of antibiotic cream we applied. I'll have to wait to see if it or any new ones appear. If they do I'll arrange to see a dermatologist as per your advice.
I never thought I'd have issues like this, the procedure seemed straight forward.
Oh well, onwards and upwards as they say.