My 4 year old has had oozing, open, and dry sores on his scalp. Over the last 5 months he was misdiagnosed for impentigo four different times by 3 different doctors...After 2 bottles of antibiotics and 5 bottles of ointment a new doctor decided that it wasn't impetigo and that it had to be a fungal infection....so they put him on a 6 week compound treatment...At that time I decided that I would like a hair follicle text done just to make sure....The compound could be harmful to his liver and I did not want him to take it if he didn't have a fungal infection. But I started him on the treatment, he has been taking it for about 2 1/2 weeks and they called today to say that it texted negative for yeast and fungus...they told me to continue the compound treatment anyways for the next two weeks and then we will have a follow up then to determine what action we should take from there...I do not want to wait!!! What could my son have, that is not yeast or fungal, that causes long-term, oozing, open, crusting, spreading sores on his scalp?!
Thanks you all for your input and answers!! I appreciate you all! As far as "why would the doctor want him to continue the compound treatment even though he tested negative"...they did not give me a reason! I was the one who had to ask about the results in the first place! Heck, I was the one who requested they did some tests! They never once mentioned anything, all per my request! I called yesterday and asked for a referral to a dermatologist...they have not called me back...As far as the shampoo goes, he has been using the exact same baby shampoo for 4 years now...I do wonder though, we recently bought a house, well when I say recently I mean six months ago. They appeared within 1 to 2 days, and about a month after we moved into our new house. I think about mold sores or something, but we have not found any mold in our house crawlspace, attic, etc. I have another child as well and she has not had any sores. Neither have my husband or myself . His sores also do not look similar to any mold sores that I've looked up online. A couple months ago, his infection got so bad that his limp nodes were completely swollen, his eyes are red, high fever, and we had to take him to urgent care. That was another time he was misdiagnosed for impetigo. He does have long-ish thick hair. We have a buzzed his head and they still didn't go away. Really hoping to find some answers with the dermatologist!
I don't think we can help you with this, but my heart goes out to you.
Are you seeing a pediatric dermatologist? If you aren't, get one. I hope you get help soon!
Your poor son! Is it itchy? Is he scratching and this causes the open sores? It could be an allergy. It could be a behavior problem where he cannot stop itching. If it is itchy have they looked for scabies or lice? Allergies can make me very itchy so it could be his soap, shampoo, dust mites or even something he is eating. Zyrtec is the only thing that works for me to stop skin itchiness. Have you tried an allergist? Have you tried a dermatologist?
I'm sorry your son is going through this - so frustrating too.
Are you seeing a pediatric dermatologist?
Did you change his shampoo at any point?
I'm just wondering if it could be allergic reaction that's gone wild. My other thought is eczema. My son has eczema on his scalp. It's kind of like cradle cap.
Contact dermatitis can ooze. One of my kids has that at the moment. It's kind of allergic type reaction (but doesn't have to be a full allergy) to some irritant. My son gets it on his hands. Bumps, oozing kind of blisters, very red and inflamed.
I would just be careful to use a shampoo they recommend, check/change his hat, get a new brush/comb, etc.
Good luck I hope you get it sorted out
My daughter had the same thing. A dermatologist ordered a biopsy, which revealed spongiotic dermatitis and sebhorria (not sure how to spell that). Coconut oil, specialized shampoos, and time pretty much eliminated the sores.
Also, I second the allergy-testing idea. But definitely get him to a pediatric dermatologist.
In the meantime, take photos. And start a food journal (be specific). Note the kind of laundry detergent you use (for sheets, pillowcases, hats, etc).
Did they test for allergies?
Maybe something in his shampoo/conditioner/anything else that goes on his head?
Or laundry soap?
Wash his bedding and pillow cases (and any hats) often - also any combs/brushes he uses.
Is there anywhere he could get into poison ivy/oak/sumac?
I would think impetaigo is more of something that happens around his nose or mouth - it's not so much a scalp thing but I could be mistaken about that.
My son and I have Seborrheic dermatitis - and if his hair gets too long (his is very thick), his dandruff and flaking gets way worse - a brush cut for him really helps keep it under control.
Dandruff shampoo works periodically but we still add an un-coated aspirin to his shampoo once in awhile (the salicylic acid helps).
Scabies is a possibility.
For itch relief on scalp or anywhere have him take an oatmeal bath.
Yogurt is also soothing for the skin/scalp - you can add a cup of plain yogurt to his bath water.
No matter what it is I don't think oatmeal or yogurt would hurt anything.
If you haven't been to a dermatologist yet (have only seen pediatricians?), it might be time to see one.
I second or third a pediatric dermatologist. They are trained to deal with children's skin issues.
I was treated four times for a fungal infection that wasn't a fungal infection before I finally went to a dermatologist. Go see a specialist!!
Don't wait. I would take him to a different doctor. Maybe even the children's hospital? I have a 4 year old too and I would not feel comfortable giving her compound treatment even though she tested negative for fungus. What was the doctor's reasoning?
You might want to check for scabies/parasitic mites. A fungus or yeast infection looks similar on the scalp as scabies infestation.
However, tee tree oil diluted might also help.
Wish you good luck!
my child had impetigo on her legs.. and sebhorrheic dermatitis on her scalp. dr said to soak the scalp in coconut oil for at least half an hour then wash with either dandruff shampoo or baby shampoo (i alternated the use of both.)within 7 days her head was almost cleared up. (and the impetigo spots were treated with a topical solution.)
so you could try that if you know theres no allergy to coconut oil.
I get sores on my head that won't heal when I use shampoo. I stopped using shampoo and only use conditioner and no more sores.
I wet my hair in the shower, put conditioner in my wet hair, massage it like I was using shampoo, rinse it well. Repeat one more time and I comb out my tangles this time. Then I wash my body and am done.
My hair if fluffy and soft and clean. I have not used shampoo in about 4 or 5 years now. Every now and then I am out of the house and have to use shampoo, maybe once or twice per year, and again, I get sores on my head that take forever to heal. I have small scars all over where they finally healed but hair won't grow on scar tissue.
If you aren't getting help from the doc that you're seeing you must see someone else. Have you gone to a beauty college and had a teacher look at it? They teach their students about stuff like this. Have you gone to a dermatologist? I would go to someone that specializes in open would care and that treats only this sort of thing.
Have they considered eczema, or psoriasis? I've had exzema on my scalp as long as I can remember. When I eat foods I'm allergic to it acts up. It's very, very itchy at night. When I scratch it becomes raw and crusty and it weeps, maybe your little one is scratching. I agree with the other posts. Take your child to a pediatric dermatologist.
