Help for hair loss and itching scalp...

I am a 24 year old woman who has long, thick brown hair.   People always tell me how beautiful my hair is and comment on how silky, shiny, and thick it is.  All my life I've been able to run my hands through it!  About two months ago, the texture of my hair has changed and is more coarse like and is falling out.  Now, when I run my hands through my hair, at least 3 to 10 hairs will come out.   I always feel hair on me somewhere and washing it is almost unbearable because huge clumps will come out.  I'm not balding or seeing any real thinning yet, but I'm afraid of what will happen if this continues.  In conjuction with the hair loss, I'm experiencing itching and mild dandruff.  My scalp is sore in spots but I don't see any redness or scabs or anything.  What could be causing this?  I'm using the anti-danruff shampoos (Head and Shoulders didn't work so I'm trying Neurtrogena T-gel) and taking vitamins, but it isn't really working at all.  My only thought was this: back in March I got head lice.  I had to use the Nix shampoo which is very harsh.  I can't find any side effects that say dandruff or hair loss but it makes sense to me that a pesticide would cause these effects.  I was cleared of head lice one week after I discovered and have been seeing a nurse once every two weeks since just because I'm paranoid because my head still itches.  All she says  I have now is dandruff.  I've tried going to the doctor but they send me to a dermatologist who then tells me they don't have openings for the next two months.  I need help now... anything?

[Vanessa Lacuesta]

Hi

I understand that you are worried about this. Hair loss may be due to several things. A scalp condition such as seborrheic dermatitis which may be causing the dandruff appears to be the prime culprit in your case. Use the medicated shampoos only twice a week and in between, use regular shampoos .It is necessary that frequent and vigorous shampooing with a   mild shampoo may be done. Application of topical corticosteroids may also be done if the dandruff persists despite the shampooing.

Another differential may be telogen effluvium. This is a reversible phase wherein hair sheds in clumps at a given point in time. This usually reverts to normal spontaneously.

A dermatologic consult is necessary. Avoid prolonged exposure to heat. Eat well and sleep well. The cause for seborrheic dermatitis and its possible triggers are not exactly known however fungal infections have been associated with this condition.

[Samdoo]

I am the same age suffering similar symptoms, I don't have flaking and have not had any head lice...I have always had healthy hair and now it seems more coarse, I have naturally quite straight hair, I use straightners maybe twice a month - very briefly. I don't blow dry it- just towel dry & occasionally blast it off with hair dryer. My scalp is sore, no lesions, washing my hair entails clumps falling out so I do this twice a week to avoid it!