I wonder whether scalp itch can sometimes be caused by Parkinsons
disease, or by ropinirole (ReQuip) or eldepryl (Selegiline), which are
anti-Parkinson drugs.  Does any research or any other authoritative
source indicate a causal link?  If not, then what ARE the common
causes of scalp itch?  (No dandruff; just an itch that can disturb
sleep.)

Hi there!

Our search returned the following results:

Sleep disturbance is one of the documented symptoms of Parkinson's
disease. The site lists four of the major types of sleep disorders
associated with Parkinson's (along with other types) and notes that
some PD drugs have a part to play (including ropinirole).This is
elaborated on further here:
http://www.parkinson.org/SleepDisturbances.htm

This site suggests lotions to use if the scalp becomes affected:
"Shampoos or lotions containing selenium, ketaconazole, or
corticosteroids may be prescribed for severe cases. To apply lotions
or medications, part the hair into small sections (if on the scalp),
apply to a small area at a time and massage into the skin. "
http://www.feelbest.com/article_26.asp

As far as a causal link between scalp itch and PD or effects of PD
drugs, there doesn't seem to be any clear link, but considering the
amount of information regarding how Parkinson's patients should treat
their scalp leaves a piece of the puzzle missing.

Here are some of the common causes of scalp itch:

STRESS:
"Stress can go to your head, literally. It may trigger scalp itch, an
ailment millions of people experience. About 43 percent of the
population suffered from at least one scalp stress symptom in the past
12 months. While genetics and other biological factors play a role,
stress seems to make the problem worse. Work and family, money issues,
hairstyling and hair products, weather, even diet can put stress on
our scalps. While dandruff, which is mild dry skin of the scalp, can
be treated effectively with medicated shampoos, dandruff alone is
normally not the cause of scalp itch. It's a good idea to have a
dermatologist examine your scalp if you suffer from persistent scalp
itch."
http://detnews.com/2001/health/0107/21/h03-248742.htm

LONG-TERM HAIR PRODUCT USE:
"Other causes of scalp inflammation are long term use of hair dyes,
anti-frizz and various hair styling products that has a high alcohol
content."
http://www.hairsite.com/late-scalpinflammation2.htm

The above site also has a lot of information on how to alleviate scalp
itch problems.

DANDRUFF: I know you said this was not the case so I won't elaborate
on it.

RINGWORM:
More information on this is available here:
http://www.emedicine.com/aaem/topic381.htm

LICE:
More information on this here:
http://www.drkoop.com/conditions/ency/article.asp?at=R&id=840

PSORIASIS or SEBORRHEIC DERMATITIS:
"There you are, scratching your head like a bluetick hound, wondering
why your scalp is so doggone itchy. Muse no more, McGruff.

You may have developed a skin condition like psoriasis or seborrheic
dermatitis, accompanied by a yeast that forces your skin to grow more
rapidly than normal. The overabundance of skin, in turn, encourages an
overgrowth of the organisms that trigger—you guessed it—itching, says
Robert Rietschel, M.D., chairman of the Department of Dermatology at
the Ochsner Clinic in New Orleans."

I hope you will find this information useful...if you have any
questions about the information here please post a clarification.

answerguru-ga

---

Request for Answer Clarification by naturewriter-ga on 12 May 2002 00:27 PDT

Very useful answer.  Thanks.  Can you tell me a web page for the
Rietschel quotation and/or for SEBORRHEIC DERMATITIS?  Thanks.
                      Naturewriter

---

Clarification of Answer by answerguru-ga on 12 May 2002 01:02 PDT

Hi naturewriter,

My apologies..I forgot the link for the last section.

Here is the link for the quote:
http://library.mothernature.com/bookstore/16/index.cfm?chp=185

There is some information on Seborrheic dermatitis at the link above
but this description is more thorough:
http://www.aad.org/pamphlets/seborrhe.html

Have a great day :)
answerguru-ga

Very helpful answer.  Thanks!

I researched this question before my account was activated and found
the following.  It may be helpful to you as far as a possible link
between your medication and the itching.

According to the web site MEDLINEplus, scalp itch is not a specific
side affect of ropinirole (Requip).  However, hallucinations, which
MEDLINEplus defines as “seeing, hearing or feeling things that are not
there” are a side affect of this medicine and is more common in
elderly patients.  If you are concerned that the itchy scalp is a side
affect of the drug (whether hallucinatory or not) you should contact
your doctor.  Further information regarding side effects of ropinirole
can be found at http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/ropinirolesystemic203364.html
.

According to the same website, “red, raised or itchy skin” can be a
side effect of Selegiline that may go away as your body adjusts to the
medicine.  If the itching does not go away or worsens, you should
consult your doctor.  Further information regarding side effects of
Selegiline can be found at
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/selegilinesystemic202519.html
.

According to DrKoop.com, the cause of dandruff and/or itchy scalp is
not known but “. . . researchers suggest they may be an inflammatory
reaction triggered by too much of the microscopic yeast-like organism
normally found in small amounts on healthy scalps.”  (“What to Do
About Dandruff and Itchy Scalp” by Beth Gilbert. (November 8, 2000)
DrKoop.com http://www.drkoop.com/conditions/skin/icp/dandruff1.html ).
 This website recommends the use of over-the-counter medicated
shampoos to treat dandruff and the itchy scalp associated with it.

There can be other causes of itchy scalp including psoriasis (the
production of new skin cells at a higher rate than normal), too
frequent use of harsh shampoos or other hair care products, stress, 
and dry weather combined with wearing headgear that causes your scalp
to sweat.
However, as you state that you don’t have dandruff, these shampoos may
not work for you.  I make soaps and lotions at home and all of the
following were recommended to me by experienced soap makers to help
relieve my husband’s psoriasis.  These are also helpful for itchy skin
and scalp and might help to bring you some relief.

*neem oil, taken from the need tree seed.  Shampoos with neem in them
are available but you can also add neem oil to your favorite shampoo
at a rate of 20 – 25 drops per bottle.  More information on neem oil
can be found at http://www.neeminc.com/

*tea tree oil, taken from the leaves of the tea tree.  Shampoos with
tea tree oil in them are available in drug stores and salons but you
can also add tea tree oil to your favorite shampoo.  In our house
we’ve found that adding 8-10 plain aspirin, 20 drops of tea tree
essential oil, and 20 drops of lavender essential oil to a mild
unscented shampoo is very effective for itchy scalp.  Essential oils
can be found at many health food and whole food stores.  More
information on tea tree oil can be found at http://www.teatree.co.uk/

Hope this information helps you find some relief.

Search terms used:
Advanced google.com search:  all words – side effects – and at least
one word - ropinirole Requip
://www.google.com/search?as_q=side+effects&num=20&hl=en&btnG=Google+Search&as_epq=&as_oq=ropinirole+Requip&as_eq=&lr=&as_ft=i&as_filetype=&as_qdr=all&as_occt=any&as_dt=i&as_sitesearch=&safe=images

Selegiline (within MEDLINEplus website)

Itchy scalp
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=itchy+scalp&btnG=Google+Search

Hi naturewriter,

Neither Eldepryl nor Requip list "itchy scalp" in their adverse
effects product literature.  That's not to say this can't occur, only
that these instances are so rare that FDA guidelines do not require
that they be listed.  I did see that Requip over selegiline
hydrochloride *could* be the possible culprit, but still any type of
pruritus (itching) was found to occur in only 1/1,000 patients.

Here are the two manufacturer's sites.  Note:  To access Requip's
complete prescribing document requires Adobe Acrobat.

http://www.somersetpharm.com/products/product_labeling.html
http://www.somersetpharm.com/products/eld_faq.html

and

http://www.requip.com
http://us.gsk.com/products/assets/us_requip.pdf

Hope this is helpful,
V