Dear Dr. SerVaas: I subscribe to the Post and thoroughly read the "Medical Mailbox" portion. I greatly appreciate the information I have learned in reading this part of the magazine. I have been helped by just reading the articles and have learned solutions or what to ask my doctor that might possibly help in some instances.

A friend of mine has a problem that has been ongoing for about two years. She had breast cancer and was given chemotherapy treatments that caused her hair to come out. Since her hair has fully returned, she has severe dandruff (or flakes of what appears to be dandruff), and the itching is unbearable at times. She has been going to a dermatologist now for several months, and he has tried oily products, saying it could be caused from dry scalp. He has given cortisone shots in her head and recommended various shampoos. None of these things has made any difference. The shots seemed to ease the problem for two to three days, and then it would immediately come right back. We believe the cancer or the chemotherapy probably caused the problem. Surely there are people who have the same problem and a doctor somewhere who treated it successfully.

If you can find a solution to her problem or any help whatsoever, I am sure she would be grateful.

Mazie H. Kilgore
Flowery Branch, Georgia