eyebrow loss and sebborhea and balding connection

[yomama]

first off, i appreciate the oppurtunity to talk to a dermatologist so quickly, this is very convenient.  
  I have always used lotion nothing special in my eyebrows, they were very thick, and i used the lotion for dry skin in them.  about 8 months ago started propecia, dramatic results, great stuff for the first month stopped balding total regrowth.  at about month 3 lossed massive hair till i shaved my head started using nizirol and switched to avodart. complete regrowth again.  during the massive hair loss my eyebrows started to fall out at a rapid rate. then gradually more and more. when they became thinner i noticed the scaling that was taking place in them and quickly consulted a physician who gave me desonide lotion.  the lotion really does the job with the scaling, but my eyebrow loss has continued, and now is very embarring and a little patchy especially in one eyebrow.  i also discontinued avodart about 7 weeks ago because i feel that is one of the causes of my eyebrow loss. my skin was also greasy to the point that i could not deal with it.  i have since switched my regimen to spiro cream and am thinking about using a little topical dutasteride (avodart) to compensate.  whenever i dont use my desonide or go swimming the scaling is back and loss is worst even though now i can tell the dutasteride is almost out of my system.  my questions are as follows.  i have read that people notice eyebrows fall out easier on dutasteride/propecia and am wondering if maybe i just have a severe case? is it possible that maybe the hair medicine is causing my seborhea dermatitis in the eyebrows/eyebrow loss?  Are there any medications that can stop my eyebrow loss stronger than desonide lotion .05%?  And will the topical dutasteride have the same side effects as the pill did like greasy skin and erectile problems?  i know this is a lot but the help is greatly appreciated.

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

It sounds to me like you have alopecia areata, not regular male-pattern hair loss.  Alopecia causes rapid hair loss followed by regrowth, and can certainly affect the eyebrows.  If I'm right, the Propecia has nothing to do with this.  Neither does the seborrhea, which can affect the same regions but doesn't cause hair loss.

I advise you to see a dermatologist for proper diagnosis and treatment.

For a primer on this condition, look at http://www.dermnetnz.org/hair-nails-sweat/alopecia-areata.html

Best.

Dr. Rockoff