Unexplained hairloss

[Tom1978]

My problem is somewhat similar to others I've seen in this forum.
I am 24 years old, and about 8 months ago I started noticing sever hair loss, particularly when shampooing. About the same time, the hair on the front/top part of my head began curling. It has continued since then, and has noticibly receded my hairline, and hasnt seemed to stop. A few events coincided with this, I had surgery to remove a cyst from my wrist last december, I have been working on the road since late january, and my father was diagnosed with cancer in early february. All were stressful events, but being fully recovered from surgery, becoming accostomed to working life on the road, and the sucessful cancer surgery for my dad, my hair loss continues. Even running my hands through my hair causes several to fall out.  The hair falling out does have the white tip, but they seem to be getting shorter and thinner. During the entire span of loss, my scalp has been more sensitive than previously, and recently has begun to ache on a regular basis. Selson Blue has helped with this problem to an extent, and I've been taking Saw Palmetto and Fatty Acid supplements regularly for a couple months now. I've tried to see a dermatologist, but have had a difficult time getting an appointment. On a possibly related note, I also have vitiligo on my hands, face...etc. With all this info, I guess my question would be can any of these things (stressfull events, possible scalp problem) be contributing to my extended hair loss? There is no pattern of baldness in my family as far as I've seen. Any opinions or advice you can offer would be appreciated. Thank you
Tom

[shellie1022]

Hi Tom.  I just wanted to let you know that your hairloss could be caused by a disease called alopecia.  A couple of my family members including my mother had it a while ago, and they all had similar symptoms to yours - hair loss, sensitive scalp.  Usually the hair loss starts in one place and grows larger.  For my mother the spot was on the back of her head, and for my cousin it was her hairline on her forehead.  

Other than that, the only other causes I'm familiar with are protein deficiency and stress.  My hair hass fallen out because of both of those, but my scalp never ached.  

Hope this helped,

Michelle

[nagemnagem]

Within the last 2 months or so, I have noticed significant hair loss.  My scalp tends to be itchy as well.  Repeatedly running my hands through my hair over a table results in many visible loose strands on the tabletop.  When I take a shower, there is noticeably more hair in my hand than usual.  The thinning of my hair is more apparent when my hair is wet.  There is no sign of balding or severe hair loss on either side of my family.  As a matter of fact, I am the youngest (22 yrs. old) of my siblings, of whom still have very thick hair.  

Am I actually going through male-patterned-baldness, or is it possibly a reaction to some outside influence?  If you could help me answer that question and a list of things that can be done to stop and reverse this occurence, I would be much appreciated.

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

Some hair loss is normal--about 50 to 100 hairs per day.  My guess is that you had increased loss a few months after surgery and other stress.  That got you in the habit of noticing hair loss, which you're still doing.  The sensitivty and ache you feel are almost certainly caused by anxiety over hair loss.

Here's my advice:  Collect the hairs that come out for 3 days in a plastic bag.  Then do a rough count to see how many have come out during that period.  Up to 300 is normal.  If the number is far less than that, which I bet it will be, then you can stop worrying and thinking about it.

If the number is that or higher, or if you get bald patches, then you should see a dermatologist (or you might want to do that anyway, armed with the hair count information.)

I don't think the vitiligo is relevant.

Take care.

Dr. Rockoff