Alopecia World
www.alopeciaworld.com
Redness where losing hair or eyebrows?
I've been bald since elementary school but have always had eyebrows. Recently I've noticed my eyebrows thinning out and it appears that in the area where the hair loss is there is some swelling and redness....My dermatologist seems to think it's not my alopecia causing the hair loss due to the "rash" that's there. Anybody experiencing something like this?
Replies to This Discussion
-
Permalink Reply by clare on
-
thankfully, i still have the hair on my head with no spotting ::knock on wood:: (but...i could be losing my hair on my head and just haven't noticed), but losing the eyebrows, have been devastating and mentally exhausting. and now i'm losing my 2nd--so it's like everything i went through the first time happening again (it was hard enough the first time!)!
i have a random question, for anyone using topical steroids...how does the dermatologist determine what % to give you (what % have you been prescribed)? he prescribed me .05% (i'm like this sounds like weak sauce) and i forgot to ask him why didn't prescribe me something of greater dosage/higher %. does having a stronger dosage increase the speed and effectiveness of re-growth (if it occurs)?
-
Permalink Reply by Eric W. on
-
I've been wondering the same thing. My dermatologist gave me Locoid 0.1% which is .01% hydrocortisone and butryrate ( have no idea what butryrate is). I would think the higher the % the better/faster results but I'm no doctor.......
-
Permalink Reply by Heather L on
-
I've had this conversation with my doc....and here is goes: She said that .05% clobetasol propionate is the strongest topical with very effective absorption rates. I have tried others... and the one I currently use is the Clobetasol propionate .05% under the brand name Olux. It comes in creams, ointments and foam.
Locoid is the brand name for hydrocortisone butyrate- which is the same class as the one I use. They both are steroids that fall under the class of "corticosteroid- response dermatoses." Essentially they are used for the treatment for any kind of skin inflammation such as eczema and psoriasis.
The both have similar side effects and instructions. I don't really know if one is a better choice for AA related issues or not- given they all work in the same manner it may not matter. The Olux foam my doc said was specifically made for scalp use-
Most all say not to use for more than two weeks! I've used them for 5 years!! Not happy about that- but they do work for me. Because some amount is systemically absorbed it is probably a good idea for long term user to have the following annual test to be sure it is not causing any problems.... a urinary free cortisol test and ACTH stimulation test. And for the record for as long as I have used it- I've not had any negative side effects or problems.
Eric- my thought as to why you might have been given Locoid is b/c you are using it on your face?? I don't know as much about that... BUT do know Olux is not meant to use on your face. It will cause irritation, redness and acne.
I see my derm tomorrow for a follow up. I'll ask her! :)!
-
-
heather, thanks for the helpful info, yes, would you please ask your derm (i don't have a derm apt for another 2 months), i would def. love to hear what she has to say!
i was also researching and apparently lower steroid dosages are given if it's being applied to areas where the skin is thin (ie: eyebrows).. ::shrug::
-
-
That sounds about right Clare, which me luck on Thursday I don't like needles and they say it's going to be 4 or more injections......
-
-
Hello Eric and Clare!
Just got back from my derm appointment and I did ask her about the eyebrows... This is her opinion.
She said that she doesn't agree with using any steroid topical on the face- said the skin is to thin and delicate and a rash/break out is very likely. Clare you are right - more then likely the lower dosage steroid (Locoid) was given b/c the skin is thinner. However she said she would not use a topical regardless. I asked about injections-- she said the concern with that is that it can cause "dells" ( dents) in your eyebrows just like in on your scalp. (which I have had on my scalp! not fun!!) So if that is being used it should be used sparingly. Eric - a friend of mine on this site ( Mike from Long Island NY) is getting steroid injections in his eyebrows... you might want to ask him about it. ( I do believe it is working!!!!)
This is how she would treat alopecia in eyebrows: Latisse. Have you heard all the hype about latisse for eyelash growth?? She said it does the same thing for eyebrows. And the biggest concern for use on eyelashes is iris pigment changes- which you do not have to worry about on the eyebrows. She said she has alopecia patients using it as well as some people who do not have alopecia but just have crappy eyebrows.... all are showing a good response.
For her alopecia patients in addition to the latisse on the eyebrows she had them rub in a tiny bit (just a little so it cannot run into your eyes!!) of rogaine.
So that's her two cents! :) Hope it was helpful.
-
-
You are the bomb Heather! Thank you for everything, I should just send you my co-payment lol
-
-
Haha- I'll send my address!! hee hee!
My only frustration is that it is all really just opinion. I wish there were concrete answers! I guess trail by error is one way to go... and if the locoid is working for you I don't know I'd stop it.
well- after she brushed all through my head.. I have 15 freakin spots! I kind of new that... but to have her confirm it depressed me! They all for the most part are small(like the size of a thumb nail) ... and we both believe that is thanks to Olux. I guess my nightly spot roll call every night is far from over!
-
-
heather, thanks for the update and the wealth of information! i'm def. going to look into latisse (i see commercials for it all the time now), but never really thought about it for the eyebrows, worth a shot right?! yea, i def. agree, i wish there were more concrete answers, what one doctors says another disagrees...ahhh, that's why i hate alopecia sooo much (and the lack of predictability and cure)! eric, good luck w/ your injections, and if you wouldn't mind, can you keep me updated on how it goes (i'm considering injections too!)? i'm crossing my fingers for you and hope they work! i'm thankful for the support and advice of random strangers such as yourselves, i'm reminded that i'm not alone in this struggle, and yes, we will ALL survive! =)
-
-
-
I just got in from the dermatologist and I got 2 steroid injections.......Doctor said that there is some regrowth but thought that steroid injections were a good idea. To be honest, they hurt like hell but I tend to be a big sissy when it comes to needles.....
-
-
when you start seeing the regrowth, it'll all be worth it!!!!!
let me know how the regrowth comes in (whether it's your regular pigmentation or if its the fine white strand type), i really want to get the steroid injections (it's almost like i have to beg my derm to give it to me, i don't know why he's so reluctant to, i guess i'll beg again at my follow-up).
- ‹ Previous
- 1
- 2
- Next ›
© 2024 Created by Alopecia World.
Powered by
