Female with hair loss

[marysolomon7]

Hello sir, I am a female 33 years old(this week) and experiencing hair loss. I've never had to deal with hairloss issues and have always had thick black hair. It all started last winter with dandruff that I ignored(didnot use any antidandruff shampoos and was washing hair once a week) that turned into snow tons of dandruff and I continued to ignore it for about 4 monts (from Jan to April) During the month of March, I lost 4.5 lbs, and had a major certification exam in April, which I passed. then began the hair loss, I noticed it in the comb after showering (50-60 hairs) and when brushing (20-35 hairs). I was prescribed a topical steroid and told sebhorric dermatitis, and when I was using the steroid, I lost 80 hairs after brushing alone. SO i stopped. MY PMp said no worries. Also, later on about 2.5 months into the hair loss process I had a tinea vesicolor on the back of my neck, went to another dermatologist gave me, selenium sulfide 2.5% and worked for the tinea. tested my thyroid and cbc was normal. I recently cut my hair, the hair loss has lessened to 15 strands after washing and brushing with some minor hairloss through out the day. Also, I started using essential oils which I think is helping. I started washing my hair daily with H&S followed by Nioxin and now everyother day. Will probably take Nioxin out of the equation. What do I have? Could dandruff ignored do all this?"

[marysolomon7]

Hi doctor, thank you for replying.  I went to 3 doctors so  far.  First one, said sebhorric dermatitis, gave me steroids and it only increased hair shedding.  I ended up cutting my hair very short.  My hair is extremely oily, so first I would wash it everyday, now everyother day. I use head and shoulders followed by Nioxin.  I noticed that shedding lessens when I cut my hair shorter?  My scalp is still alittle itchy on the days I don't wash and it feels sore in some areas.  I put oil on my hair right before washing, I use olive oil or jojoba oil, but I read that they contain oleic acid, so not sure if I will continue that.  Should I continue to use oils? I am afraid to use conditioners as I don't know if it is helping?  Also, I was thinking of using shampoos that do not contain sodium lauryl sulfate?  will that help?  Some people have even recommended putting brown listerine after washing with clarifying shampoo??  I am willing to try anything..

thank you doctor, please help!

[marysolomon7]

thank you happ6ter for your reply.  My hair is definitely oily, I started washing everyday now every two days, It gets a little itchy on day I don't wash, but I want to give it a chance to restore oil production. I cut my hair very short.

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
This hair loss can be due to seborrheic dermatitis or stress. It is good that the thyroid tests have come out normal. Your hair needs vitamins and minerals to grow that it can only get from the bloodstream. So if you want to speed up your hair growth and thickness you should limit the intake of fat and salts. Selenium, zinc and magnesium are some of the minerals that your hair needs and also amino acids and vitamin E will help in growing hairs. You can regularly massage scalp with oil, use protein conditioner to avoid loss and help growing, prevent exposure in hot sun etc.

It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your doctor. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.

[maatson]

Presumably it is 'telogen effluvium'. A course of iron should set you right.

[marysolomon7]

I dont know why I am suspecting celiac diseas.  possibly because I have constipation alot or my digestion doesnt seem regular.  the digestion problems began after giving birth to my kids.  HOw do they diagnose or test for celiac disease?  what symptoms are most prevalent?  

[Caryopteris]

Another shampoo to try is Nizoral shampoo.  It was the only one that was at all effective for me.  You don't have to use it every day.  I believe it is not effective if you follow it with a conditioner, but you could probably use a foaming mousse product like the one by Dove to control frizz.  

Alternate with this shampoo the other days you wash it to condition it:
http://www.google.com/products/catalog?hl=en&cp=12&gs_id=g&xhr=t&q=l'oreal+vive&nord=1&gs_upl=&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.&ion=1&biw=1307&bih=579&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=16716247959431335648&sa=X&ei=EYNmTumcAorr0gHltbj1CQ&sqi=2&ved=0CEcQ8gIwAg  

There is also a matching conditioner that is probably good, but I haven't used that yet.  I have used this conditioner and like it:  
http://www.google.com/products/catalog?hl=en&cp=24&gs_id=w&xhr=t&q=neutrogena+conditioner+for+sale&nord=1&gs_upl=&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.&ion=1&biw=1307&bih=579&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=17351380673865515117&sa=X&ei=OIZmTtYzktOBB-vWlKUK&sqi=2&ved=0CGAQ8gIwAw

It is very important you improve your diet.  Don't eat much sugar at all.  Lots of fruits and vegetables and lean meat/chicken/fish.  Avoid bread and other starches that are too processed.  

Consider getting tested for Celiac disease, lupus, other autoimmune diseases.

[marysolomon7]

thank you for responding happy6ter.  I am washing everyother day now with antidandruff shampoo.  My hair has become very dry though, but my scalp is finally clean.  I will look for antidandruff w/menthol.  How long did it take for the hair to stop falling? How often did you wash your hair?