Hair loss and scalp problem

[kkcocoapuff]

What would cause  excessive hair loss (have already had thyroid checked and ruled it out) and chronic scaly, itchy, flaky scalp problem?  would this be a fungal infection and is there something that is available to use over the counter for this?

[Steph373]

I'm a healthy 57 year old female.  I have gone through menopause. The only med I am taking is simvastatin (for last 3 years).  Recently I have been experiencing a burning and faint itching sensation on my scalp line.  I have lost some hair and new hair growth comes in with a crinkly dry texture.  My scalp looks healthy and I wash and condition my hair daily.  Any ideas.

[chelle99]

my babydad have a real bad scalp inching and i need to now what can i get for it

[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.

Many women notice hair loss about 3 months after they've had a baby. This loss is also related to hormones. During pregnancy, high levels of certain hormones cause the body to keep hair that would normally fall out. When the hormones return to pre-pregnancy levels, that hair falls out and the normal cycle of growth and loss starts again.

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.