Member Comments are provided by individuals and reflect their personal opinions only. Under NO circumstances should you act on any advice or opinion posted in this forum. ALWAYS check with your personal physician before taking any action regarding your health! MedHelp International and our partners, sponsors and affiliates have no obligation to monitor any comments posted on this site, or the content and/or accuracy of such exchanges. MedHelp International does not endorse the views of any user.
Dermatology (Expert Forum)
Morphea (?) on scalp causing hair loss and severe rash; travelling down face.
Answered by
Alan Rockoff, MD - dermatology, Child Skin Problems
The Rockoff Dermatology Center
Brookline - MA
This forum is for questions regarding Dermatology issues, such as: skin rashes, acne, birthmarks, skin infections, rosacea, and general skin care.
Morphea (?) on scalp causing hair loss and severe rash; travelling down face.
by EvieL, Apr 09, 2002 12:00AM
I've had what originally looked like a slight indentation on the left side of my forehead since I can remember. In my mid-30s, it became active, causing the skin to thin out, and spread to my scalp. The thinness of the skin caused hair loss. I went through the "grand rounds" with the Yale dermatology students, who collectively shrugged their shoulders and said "I dunno".
This was 13 years ago, and since then, the "morphea" has virtually deteriorated the fatty tissue under my scalp on the left side in a 2" wide strip from the hairline to the crown on my head. This, plus generalized hair thinning, has prompted me to use a hair piece that looks great, but I believe is causing a worsening of the condition. The hair "system" is affixed to the head with surgical glue (thus the totally "real" look). It doesn't bother the healthy areas of my scalp, but the glue, and I think the anaerobic condition under the hair piece, causes irritation, itching, scaling, peeling, and increased smoothing of the skin to the "bad skin" area. It looks like a burn scar - very red and thin and shiny.
The problem I have with this is that I MUST wear some kind of hair piece, but the skin disorder is worsening because of it. So my first question is - has anyone else had this kind of complication and what have you done about it? I live in Connecticut. Are there any medical experts on this kind of thing that you've found?
While the morphea is wreaking havoc on my scalp, it is also traveling down my face. It has caused a droopiness to my left eyelid, and thinned out my left eyebrow. Now it's moving down my nose, which at this point just looks like red blotches. It's a slow but steady path and I'm jsut waiting for it to reach my mouth. Won't that look great?
I've read how morphea "burns itself out", but this seems more active than ever. I'm also not even sure if this is morphea, since it isn't the standard "knife groove" thing that marks this ailment. I'm scared to death that it's really scleroderma, because I'm noticing other symptoms that previously I considered unrelated. They include Raynaud's syndrome, joint stiffness and achiness, puffiness and weakness in my hands, unexplainable neck and jaw stiffness, tightness in my throat and sometimes trouble swallowing.
I'm also wondering if I have two conditions - one a scalp condition, and one a systemic condition. I practically devoured Merk's Medical Manual and now, of course, think I have every connective tissue and skin disease know to humanity. But the docs I've been to don't have much to offer. Can any of you shed some light on any of this? I am most grateful. EvieL.
This was 13 years ago, and since then, the "morphea" has virtually deteriorated the fatty tissue under my scalp on the left side in a 2" wide strip from the hairline to the crown on my head. This, plus generalized hair thinning, has prompted me to use a hair piece that looks great, but I believe is causing a worsening of the condition. The hair "system" is affixed to the head with surgical glue (thus the totally "real" look). It doesn't bother the healthy areas of my scalp, but the glue, and I think the anaerobic condition under the hair piece, causes irritation, itching, scaling, peeling, and increased smoothing of the skin to the "bad skin" area. It looks like a burn scar - very red and thin and shiny.
The problem I have with this is that I MUST wear some kind of hair piece, but the skin disorder is worsening because of it. So my first question is - has anyone else had this kind of complication and what have you done about it? I live in Connecticut. Are there any medical experts on this kind of thing that you've found?
While the morphea is wreaking havoc on my scalp, it is also traveling down my face. It has caused a droopiness to my left eyelid, and thinned out my left eyebrow. Now it's moving down my nose, which at this point just looks like red blotches. It's a slow but steady path and I'm jsut waiting for it to reach my mouth. Won't that look great?
I've read how morphea "burns itself out", but this seems more active than ever. I'm also not even sure if this is morphea, since it isn't the standard "knife groove" thing that marks this ailment. I'm scared to death that it's really scleroderma, because I'm noticing other symptoms that previously I considered unrelated. They include Raynaud's syndrome, joint stiffness and achiness, puffiness and weakness in my hands, unexplainable neck and jaw stiffness, tightness in my throat and sometimes trouble swallowing.
I'm also wondering if I have two conditions - one a scalp condition, and one a systemic condition. I practically devoured Merk's Medical Manual and now, of course, think I have every connective tissue and skin disease know to humanity. But the docs I've been to don't have much to offer. Can any of you shed some light on any of this? I am most grateful. EvieL.
Doctor's Answer
by Alan Rockoff, MD, Apr 09, 2002 12:00AM
, Apr 09, 2002 12:00AM
Your description fits that of morphea. Morphea is localized scleroderma. It is a very unpleasant condtion with significant cosmetic consequences. It is NOT scleroderma. It does NOT become scleroderma. If you are worried about connective tissue disease, you should consult with physicians. The dermatologists at UYale or at UConnin Farmington whould be more than adequate. I assume the Yael dermatologists are the ones who told you it was morphea in the first place, even if the medical students were, as usual, clueless.
Hairpieces do not aggravate morphea. The symptoms of "irritation, itching, scaling, peeling, and increased smoothing of the skin" may be those of contact dermatitis, or allergy to the glue. You may therefore want to look into either another way of attaching the piece, or getting allergy testing. I agree that you should wear a hairpiece, and I'm confident you'll be able to.
Either way, I think you really ought to consult a dermatologist about this condition, rather than try to dope out what's going on by reading the Merck Manual. The medical conference you attended years ago shouldn't be the end of the story.
Best.
Dr. Rockoff
Hairpieces do not aggravate morphea. The symptoms of "irritation, itching, scaling, peeling, and increased smoothing of the skin" may be those of contact dermatitis, or allergy to the glue. You may therefore want to look into either another way of attaching the piece, or getting allergy testing. I agree that you should wear a hairpiece, and I'm confident you'll be able to.
Either way, I think you really ought to consult a dermatologist about this condition, rather than try to dope out what's going on by reading the Merck Manual. The medical conference you attended years ago shouldn't be the end of the story.
Best.
Dr. Rockoff
I can't thank you enough for the information. What a relief to know that this is not and cannot become scleroderma and to know that I probably can continue wearing my hair piece. Since I posted my question, I've made appointments with a dermatologist and my GP regarding the rashes and the aches and pains, respectively. If the skin doc doesn't have answers, I will definitely go to CONN Medical Center.
With respect to the morphea moving down my face, I have an outstanding cosmetologist, a great plastic surgeon, and I'm willing to bet that the three of us can keep me looking good.
Once again, thank you. YOu provide a wonderful service!
EvieL