Alopecia World
www.alopeciaworld.com
Biopsy advice please!
Hello everyone! I was wondering if any of you could share your experiences with having a biopsy. I don't know much about them and was hoping to gather some information from all of you!
My dermatologist is giving me the option of having one done... I have what we think is Chronic Telogen Effluvium. I also have developed severe seb derm on the scalp and severe acne on my face. I have never had these skin issues before! I was just put on 25mg of Spiro for the acne and she is also hoping it helps with the hair loss. I guess it is also prescribed to her patients that have female pattern baldness or androgenic alopecia. I don't know what I have as of yet. I am hoping that it will help in determining the type of hair loss and also why my scalp is so inflamed and oozing this sebum. Does anyone have any advice on whether this would be at all helpful for me?
If you could describe the process, healing time and if it left a bald spot, I would appreciate it!! Also, how much hair is lost during a biopsy punch?
Thank you all in advance for any help or thoughts you could offer me! Love you all and God bless!
My dermatologist is giving me the option of having one done... I have what we think is Chronic Telogen Effluvium. I also have developed severe seb derm on the scalp and severe acne on my face. I have never had these skin issues before! I was just put on 25mg of Spiro for the acne and she is also hoping it helps with the hair loss. I guess it is also prescribed to her patients that have female pattern baldness or androgenic alopecia. I don't know what I have as of yet. I am hoping that it will help in determining the type of hair loss and also why my scalp is so inflamed and oozing this sebum. Does anyone have any advice on whether this would be at all helpful for me?
If you could describe the process, healing time and if it left a bald spot, I would appreciate it!! Also, how much hair is lost during a biopsy punch?
Thank you all in advance for any help or thoughts you could offer me! Love you all and God bless!
Replies to This Discussion
-
Permalink Reply by Angie P on
-
Hi Julie, copies of my biopsy results are in my photo album if you want to take a look.
It took only a couple of minutes in the doctor's office. She numbed the target area with an injection. Then used some kind of tool to extract some tissue about the size of a pencil eraser. She did it in two spots. Then she sewed up the edges. As far as I can tell, it didn't leave any additional bald spot. I don't process my hair, so it was very puffy. There was no way to tell that anything had been removed, but again, the samples were very small. Also, if I remember correctly, she purposely chose a location to take the sample from that included a few hairs.
It healed over in a day or two. I think she said not to get it wet for 24 hours which was no problem for me since I had just washed my hair that morning. I experienced very little discomfort which I managed with ibuprofen. She removed the sutures when I returned for the test results, which was about two weeks later.
If you have decent insurance, I would say proceed. It's good to have as much information as possible when trying to decide how to proceed with treatment.
-
Permalink Reply by Kristi Kelly on
-
It's not very big. They numb it first so you won't feel it. It does leave a scar. I had one done a month ago. It will help the doctors to know what is wrong and if the treatments that they are using will work or not. Mine verified that I did indeed have alopecia areata. I have been depressed ever since I got my diagnosis. Now all I can do is wonder whether it will get worse or better. I have pain in my scalp as well and no one can tell me why. My scalp flakes and itches too. This has absolutely ruined my happiness for the time being. I sure hope that I can get out of this soon! I would say that the biopsy was not beneficial in figuring out why my scalp hurts, it only gave me the diagnosis of alopecia. It wasn't painful, just a little sore the day after. If you really want to know what is wrong I would go for it. It can't hurt!
What type of hair loss are you experiencing? Do you have patches or generalized thinning?
-
Permalink Reply by Julie Koch on
-
I have diffuse type thinning of about 30-40% of my hair. I literally woke up one morning with severe scalp pain and the hair loss started shortly after. I do notice that I lost the most in my temporal region and the front. I also have the itchies and was diagnosed with Seborrheic Dermatitis on my scalp and am on a bout 5 topical ointments and shampoos for it. It is not curable but can be controlled. So far the seb derm has only gotten worse. I saw the derm last week and she was surprised how thick the scales were on my head and that they haven't gotten any looser. I can't get them off! It is very uncomfortable and gross. I won't even leave the house anymore except for work and to get groceries. Doing anything FUN is out of the question. I am just too depressed to find joy in anything. I am NOT looking forward to the holidays and seeing everyone so happy and care free when I feel and look like SHIT.. Please excuse my language... I was prescribed Spiro this week for my acne which also just developed like everything else. It is also prescribed to treat female pattern baldness and androgenic alopecia. I don't even know what type of hair loss I have! It is an anti-andorogen and you need to be on about 200mg for it to help with hair. I just increased my dose from 12mg to 25mg today. It feel completely "out of it". I plan on trying it for a while and hope the side effects go away. That is one of the reasons I want a biopsy done. I want to know what I am up against. Best case scenario is that this IS Chronic TE and has a good chance of getting better. Worst case is that this is diffuse alopecia or androgenic alopecia... It's scary for me but if it helps it could be worth it! I am just scared of losing hair in one area and it leaving a bald spot... Love ya and HUGS!
-
Permalink Reply by Alliegator on
-
I had a biopsy done years ago. It didn't take very long and like Angie said, they numbed the area. It did not leave a large bald spot. I had a couple of stitches and I had to have them removed like a week later. It will be over before you know it. It will help them determine what you have going on. My doctor knew from the results that I have AGA. If I remember correctly, that is what he suspected before the bipsy because of the way I was loosing my hair. Good luck!
-
-
Thank you Kristi and Alliegator for your advice! I am REALLY scared... I am still considering it because if it helps figure out what is wrong, then it may be worth the little scar. Thank you!!!
-
-
I would do it then. It really doesn't hurt and the scar is small. They did mine on the hairline behind my ear so you can see the scar if I pull it up in a ponytail but it's only been a month. It is small and you would have to be looking for it to see it. Have they checked your hormone levels? Acne, hair loss, and skin conditions can sometimes be related to your hormones.
-
-
Yes they checked my hormones and all were normal. I just don't know what to do... It's amazing how much we value hair but don't even realize it or think about it until it's going or gone. It's like losing my identity. I've always been an insecure person and struggle with eating disorders for 18 years. My hair was always something that defined me and that I was proud of even if I hated the rest of my body. I don't know how to cope with this loss... Thank you for your help!!!
-
Permalink Reply by Chentil Changing on
-
I had a biopsy done fairly recently it was done in the office and took a very short time. After they numb the area with a needle they use a scalpel or some time of cutting tools and cut out a very small area of your scalp and stitch it up after. It heals quickly and creates a very small scar which could go away. I cannot tell you if it leaves a bald spot because I have no hair. Hope this helps!
-
-
Thank you Chentil!!! I appreciate your thoughtful advice! I think they are going to use a "punch" and not a scalpel. It is about the size of a paper punch and goes down about 4 mm into the scalp in a round circle... I hope you are well and I thank you again!
-
-
your welcome and good luck!
© 2024 Created by Alopecia World.
Powered by
