More than Sebborheic dermatitis?

[rick77]

Hello, I am a 29 yr old male. A little over a year ago I went to the dermatologist about oily forehead and itchy scalp. I was told i had sebborheic dermatitis. The itchiness has subsided, but the oily forehead has good days and bad. One thing I found is I'll come across these clumps in my hair, only in the temple areas where the hair is against the skin. If I try to get it out, the hair that is caught up in it comes out very easily. I had one the other day with about 20 hairs caught up in it. Some of which looked new, being they were very short.  I've always had widows peaks, but since this started they have gotten larger. I thought maybe just MPB, but would the hair come out in small clumps like that? Could there be something else goin on? Thyroid issue?  I also recently noticed two small areas on my chin where hair wont grow if i dont shave. Alopecia areta maybe?
Also, are there any prescriptions that can slow down the sebum production?

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

There aren't any medications that slow down sebum production.  As to the reason you're losing some hairs, your description does not sound like alopecia areata, and in fact doesn't really remind me of anything specific.  Are you, perhaps, pulling a bit too hard?  Maybe you shouldn't "try to get it out."  In any case, since you have already consulted a dermatologist, you should go back and ask.  That's the only way you're going to really know.

Take care.

Dr. Rockoff