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Dermatology (Expert Forum)
lashes, brows and now scalp 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.
lashes, brows and now scalp hair loss
by pattylou, Mar 19, 2002 12:00AM
About a year ago I noticed I was loosing my eyelashes, at the time I was under a great deal of stress, the problem kept getting worse. first one eye, then the second eye was void of all lashes. Next it moved to my eyebrows, there are a few hairs left, but one eyebrow is totally void. I have been to my clinic and had a skin specialist look at my eyes and brows he advised my lashes and brows were a result of stress and there was a 50/50 chance my hair would come back. Recently I picked up my perscription for Zyrtec and I asked the drugist if he had ever heard of anything like my problem. He said, yes the cause of my lost lashes and brows was the zyrtec. I am now loosing the hair in patches on my scalp. I am just terrified that I will wake up bald. The only drug or medication of any type that I take is Zyrtec. I need to know if I am the only one with this problem.
Doctor's Answer
by Alan Rockoff, MD, Mar 19, 2002 12:00AM
, Mar 19, 2002 12:00AM
I do not think the pharmacist was correct to blame the Zyrtec.
The diagnosis most likely to cause hair loss in the pattern you describe is alopecia areata. This is a common cause of patchy hair loss. Cause is unknown, though the condition is referred to as "autoimmune," because the body seems to be attacking itself (the hair follicles.) The hair is dormant but not dead. Regrowth is possible, though it may take months. Treatment is available.
Though alopecia is often glibly blamed on "stress," the asociation is tenuous at best.
My advice is to see a dermatologist for definitive diagnosis and treatment. The chances are very great that you will "wake up bald"--the condition usually stays patchy at worst.
Best.
Dr. Rockoff
The diagnosis most likely to cause hair loss in the pattern you describe is alopecia areata. This is a common cause of patchy hair loss. Cause is unknown, though the condition is referred to as "autoimmune," because the body seems to be attacking itself (the hair follicles.) The hair is dormant but not dead. Regrowth is possible, though it may take months. Treatment is available.
Though alopecia is often glibly blamed on "stress," the asociation is tenuous at best.
My advice is to see a dermatologist for definitive diagnosis and treatment. The chances are very great that you will "wake up bald"--the condition usually stays patchy at worst.
Best.
Dr. Rockoff
