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Dermatology (Expert Forum)
What Type of Hair Loss
Answered by
Alan Rockoff, MD - dermatology, Child Skin Problems
The Rockoff Dermatology Center
Brookline - MA
Welcome to the DERMATOLOGY FORUM! Questions in this forum are answered by Dermatologists from St. Luke's Roosevelt Hospital, under the direction of Andrew Alexis, M.D., M.P.H.
What Type of Hair Loss
by bpritz, Oct 26, 2002 12:00AM
I am a 35 year old male who has thinning hair. I have straight fine light brown hair and up until 31, wore it long. I would say my hair line is a norwood scale 1, but just thinned all around. Before I ask my question, I want to give a bit of history.
From what I can figure my thinning started shortly after turning 30. I first noticed it after I decided to get it cut a bit shorter. Immediately after that haircut, I noticed that I had areas of my hair that seemed thinned out. The areas were scattered around my head. I did not have any bald spots per say, but you could tell that one area was thinner than another. I actually went and got a checkup because I was concerned that something elase was wrong with me. Also at this time I seemed to start to have an icthy scalp. Over the next couple months it seemed that most of the lost hair came back in.
Then, almost 1 year after the first noticable loss, I had another bout. It just seemed that in a week or two I had thinned out some more and I had an extremely itchy scalp. I had no balding areas, just general thinning all around. At this point, I decided to go to a dermatologist. The Dr had told me that I had MPB and I ended up getting a prescription for Propecia.
From that point on, it has seemed that on an annual basis I go through growing some hair throughout the year, then all at once shed. I continued to have itchy scalp and never had balding areas, just the general thining. During this last year I have had a lot of scalp related problems.
I had extreme scalp itch, scalp pain and major flaking. It also seemed like my hair was easy to pull out. I remember running my fingers through my hair and having long hairs on my hand. I was put on 2% Nixoral and a host of steroid shampoos. The flaking was so bad I was embarressed, pretty much all of it was on the front half of my scalp. The medicines never really seemed to work. Also, during this time I had a very oily scalp. So much that, I would wash my hair in the morning, come home from work and it would look very oily/greasy. I would end up washing it twice a day.
During the spring of this year I decided to get my hair cut very short, as with clippers and I switched to nioxin shampoo during the summer. My itching has gone away and it appears that my oily scalp has too. In fact my hair seemed to be thicker, which led me to believe I was growing some. Then like every other year, this past September, it felt like my hair had thinned out some more.
Questions:
From the type of hair loss I have been describing, could it be related to any of the following:
1. Excessive Washing (For the past 1.5 years, I have washed my hair twice a day)
2. Stress (I am sorry to say that unfortunately, during the past 6 years I have had marriage related problems, with the most recent this summer - has not been fun).
3. Alcohol (I average 2-3 beers per day)
4. Antihistamines (Allergies = Nasal Sprays = frequent use)
Thank You
From what I can figure my thinning started shortly after turning 30. I first noticed it after I decided to get it cut a bit shorter. Immediately after that haircut, I noticed that I had areas of my hair that seemed thinned out. The areas were scattered around my head. I did not have any bald spots per say, but you could tell that one area was thinner than another. I actually went and got a checkup because I was concerned that something elase was wrong with me. Also at this time I seemed to start to have an icthy scalp. Over the next couple months it seemed that most of the lost hair came back in.
Then, almost 1 year after the first noticable loss, I had another bout. It just seemed that in a week or two I had thinned out some more and I had an extremely itchy scalp. I had no balding areas, just general thinning all around. At this point, I decided to go to a dermatologist. The Dr had told me that I had MPB and I ended up getting a prescription for Propecia.
From that point on, it has seemed that on an annual basis I go through growing some hair throughout the year, then all at once shed. I continued to have itchy scalp and never had balding areas, just the general thining. During this last year I have had a lot of scalp related problems.
I had extreme scalp itch, scalp pain and major flaking. It also seemed like my hair was easy to pull out. I remember running my fingers through my hair and having long hairs on my hand. I was put on 2% Nixoral and a host of steroid shampoos. The flaking was so bad I was embarressed, pretty much all of it was on the front half of my scalp. The medicines never really seemed to work. Also, during this time I had a very oily scalp. So much that, I would wash my hair in the morning, come home from work and it would look very oily/greasy. I would end up washing it twice a day.
During the spring of this year I decided to get my hair cut very short, as with clippers and I switched to nioxin shampoo during the summer. My itching has gone away and it appears that my oily scalp has too. In fact my hair seemed to be thicker, which led me to believe I was growing some. Then like every other year, this past September, it felt like my hair had thinned out some more.
Questions:
From the type of hair loss I have been describing, could it be related to any of the following:
1. Excessive Washing (For the past 1.5 years, I have washed my hair twice a day)
2. Stress (I am sorry to say that unfortunately, during the past 6 years I have had marriage related problems, with the most recent this summer - has not been fun).
3. Alcohol (I average 2-3 beers per day)
4. Antihistamines (Allergies = Nasal Sprays = frequent use)
Thank You
Doctor's Answer
by Alan Rockoff, MD, Oct 26, 2002 12:00AM
, Oct 26, 2002 12:00AM
The answer to all 4 questions is no.
Stree can cause itch, but there is no relationship between scaling, flaking, itching, oiliness, and hair loss. (If you scratch your scalp, you can lose a few hairs, but only temporarily.)
The itching and scaling can be easily treated. If the things you've used haven't helped, you should ask your doctor to try others.
Your description does not match alopecia areata very well. Ordinary male-pattern hair loss sems more likely. Propecia does help stabilize that.
I think another visit to the dermatologist for diagnosis and treatment seems like the best idea.
Take care.
Dr. Rockoff
Stree can cause itch, but there is no relationship between scaling, flaking, itching, oiliness, and hair loss. (If you scratch your scalp, you can lose a few hairs, but only temporarily.)
The itching and scaling can be easily treated. If the things you've used haven't helped, you should ask your doctor to try others.
Your description does not match alopecia areata very well. Ordinary male-pattern hair loss sems more likely. Propecia does help stabilize that.
I think another visit to the dermatologist for diagnosis and treatment seems like the best idea.
Take care.
Dr. Rockoff
Member Comments (4)
by bpritz, Oct 26, 2002 12:00AM
My Subject Should Read "Causes of Hair Loss"
by maui wowi, Nov 17, 2002 12:00AM
To: bpritz
I am a 27 year old female with the same problem that you are having. I have been to multiple doctors and none have been able to diagnos my particular problem. I am currently seeing a acupuncturist to see if he can improve the blood flow to my scalp. I am also frustrated and don't know what to believe. I will write back if I receive any answers or post a comment and I will further fill you in on any possible treatments! I was told that stress is a major factor and that Rogaine is not a safe alternative to try to regrow hair!
by no_hotmess, Dec 04, 2002 12:00AM
i would be interested in knowing if the acupuncture works??????
