Female hair loss and other scalp problems: 20yrs old

[kender]

For a couple of years I've been having little balls of cells falling out of my scalp. Usually it itches on some part and when I rub the region, even lightly, a small ball will come off. It is generally a really well formed ball and it does not seem that it has been formed by rubbing, it almost seems like it has just popped off my scalp. I am also experiencing a sudden increase in hair loss whenever I wash or brush my hair. I stopped using a hair dryer as soon as the hair loss started and have tried various things like changing my diet to healthier foods, changing shampoos, using natural products like coconut oil, egg, yogurt, and henna  (my mother swears by them, and she has always had really nice hair, even though it is very fine), but nothing has worked. My father's family has really thick hair and I know of no one in our family who has had the same problem. My hair used to be very thick when I was younger (before I hit puberty) but now has become very thin and half the size it used to be in a ponytail. I have tried looking around the internet but have found no information. I would really appreciate some advise as to what I should do. Thanks.

[Artist5]

I have the same issue and I am a woman.  But my children and husband both have the SAME symptoms!  I have taken my children to the dermatologist and short of a biopsy, they couldn't find an answer.  I know it must be contagious because we all have it now.  The hair loss seems to worsen in hot months.  And like you, the hairs are long AND short...some very fine.  And at times there are little waxy balls at the end (where it connects to the follicle).  If I run my hands through my children's hair and feel a hard 'ball' on the scalp and squeeze it or scratch it off with my nail, it comes out and leaves a HOLE. I'm pretty certain the hairs do not grow back.  We have lost over HALF our hair.  It's scary!  What on Earth IS this??  Please PLEASE help!!!  I've already had my labs for thyroid, cbc, etc.  All normal...besides, this is affecting EVERYONE in my family here!

[kender]

I did see a Dermatologist and she and a OBGYN both agreed that I was displaying all the symptoms of PCOS (except the hormone tests were negative...as was the ultrasound o.O) . I was prescribed a birth control pills to regulate my period and any hormonal imbalance. I have lost weight since then and am regulating my diet. My acne has stopped completely, but the hair loss is still as bad. I have not had any major surgery, but the problems does deem aggravated when it is finals week. I am not generally extremely stressed at other times of the year though.
Thanks for your help.

[BhumikaMD]

Hi,

A number of things can cause excessive hair loss. For example, about 3 or 4 months after an illness or a major surgery, you may suddenly lose a large amount of hair. This hair loss is related to the stress of the illness and is temporary.

Hormonal problems may cause hair loss. If your thyroid gland is overactive or underactive, your hair may fall out. This hair loss usually can be helped by treatment thyroid disease. Hair loss may occur if male or female hormones, known as androgens and estrogens, are out of balance. Correcting the hormone imbalance may stop your hair loss.

Some medicines can cause hair loss. This type of hair loss improves when you stop taking the medicine. Medicines that can cause hair loss include blood thinners (also called anticoagulants), medicines used for gout, medicines used in chemotherapy to treat cancer, vitamin A (if too much is taken), birth control pills and antidepressants.

Certain infections can cause hair loss. Fungal infections of the scalp can cause hair loss in children. The infection is easily treated with antifungal medicines.

Finally, hair loss may occur as part of an underlying disease, such as lupus or diabetes. Since hair loss may be an early sign of a disease, it is important to find the cause so that it can be treated.

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/hair-loss/DS00278

It would be advisable to consult a skin specialist for this and then decide the cause and further plan of management.

Let us know if you need any other information.

Regards.

[crib]

i am a 31 year old male with  spot in my hair like ringworm but its not ringworm
i need help

[dptylaw]

I also suffer from hair loss. It began for me in college (about 2002). It was the same way as your, the whole hair folicle would come out. I would have a little bit of itching but mostly burning of my scalp in the spot where I was losing my hair. My hair lies differently where I'm losing it, its thinner and when I wear my hair down (which isnt often anymore because it has been so noticable) it parts there automatically showing the thinness. I have checked with a dermotoloist and he tried claiming he could see no hair loss and that there was nothing wrong with me. I dont have dry scalp or any other skin disorder that could be seen. I saw my family doctor and he said he could notice a change in hair thickness so he suggested it was my anxiety and stress doing it. He had me try different types of anti-depressant drugs and nothing worked only bad side effects. To this day no one has been able to help me and the hair loss hasnt stopped. If you are able to find out anything please let me know cause it might help me to figure out whats going on with mine.