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Scarring alopecia (lichen planopilaris) vs. female pattern baldness
Hi! I am new. I am a 39-year old female, and I discovered a bald spot 2 months ago. I saw my PCP who didn't know what was going on, and then went to a dermatologist.
Long story short, i have had redness, itching, burning and tenderness for about 5 years. The bald spot is new, and what prompted me to seek help. The derm told me i had a lot of scaling with inflammation, and did a biopsy. Was just informed of the result today...female pattern baldness. That wasn't even on my radar because the symptoms didn't match up. I do not have diffuse hair loss, just that one patch so far, and didn't know I had scaling until the doctor told me.
I'd like to hear from actual people with alopecia...does this sound like female pattern baldness? I was thinking scarring alopecia caused by lichen planopilaris. I know I'm not a doctor, and certainly no expert, but the result of the biopsy doesn't seem to match up.
After the biopsy last week, the itching and burning and tenderness has flared up again. It was bad right before the patch fell out, but then died down for almost 2 months. I'm not seeing anything about these symptoms with female pattern baldness, but what you read on medical sites is not always how people experience problems. If anyone can give me any insight, I'd love to hear it.
Also, I have celiac disease. I believe my hair loss is connected, as a lot of my other medical stuff has been what I would call "side effects" of celiac. Any celiac people out there?
Thank you for your time and compassion. I feel a bit lost today. :)
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Debs on
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Hi Amy, I have a varient of lichen planopilaris (frontal fibrosing alopecia), there are several types of scarring alopecia, if indeed that is what you have. A biopsy is the way to diagnose but I have been told (at a conference lead by dermatologists) that if a lab is not used to looking at biopsies of scarring alipecia it can be missed.
I can only suggest you ask for a second opinion, your instincts may well be right.
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Permalink Reply by carol on
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I have had lichen planopilaris for a little over a year and a half and your symptoms sound a lot like mine. I have some diffuse thinning and a couple of scars. It might be a good idea to get a second opinion and another biopsy with a dermatologist who specializes in alopecia. I went to 3 doctors before I was referred to one who specializes in alopecia. Good luck. Carol
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My doctor wants me to take Plaquenil 200MGs twice a day and use Clobetasol Propionate Foam for itching. I also use Ketoconazole 2% shampoo and Rogaine for men as needed. She was also doing the steroid injections at the beginning but I decided not to continue with them. The reason that I discontinued them was because I am concerned about possible side effects and would rather not worry about it. My doctor also has me do a blood panel about every 3 months. I forgot to mention that after using the first shampoo which will help with the itching then she said to use T-Gel or Head and Shoulders. I found that T-Gel was soothing as the other one burned my scalp. If you have an alopecia support group in your area they will probably know of a good doctor. I found it helpful to get together with others with the same type of condition and share information. So glad you will get a second opinion. Good luck and let me know how it goes . Carol
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That was all the things that my doctor wants me to do for the best results. I feel the same way that you do about taking medication. This last year I have had many surgeries for skin cancer and some around my hair line. About 3 months ago I shaved my head because I thought that since my hair was already messed up I could watch my scalp easier for more cancers and treat them earlier. At that time I also went off the medication and am only taking vitamins and biotin. Now I am not looking in the mirror all the time to see if I am losing more hair. This probably sounds crazy but I am so much happier and relaxed without my hair. I would be interested in where you buy the bar soap and what it is called because I would like to try it. Thank you, Carol
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I will be trying some of the bar soap. The biotin that I take is from Purity Products. I don't know how much it can really help my hair but it sure has helped my fingernails.My nails have always been very week and would break and now they are strong. I also take fish oil which probably helps too. Thank you for the name of the soap I am looking forward to trying it. Carol
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I first noticed bald patches around my ears less than two months ago and then, after visitiing my GP, realised I'd lost hair all around my frontal hairline from one ear to the other. Long story short, went to see a Trichologist (privately not on the NHS) who confirmed my worst fears that I had Frontial Fibrosing Alopecia (had done some research on the internet). Had an appointment at the hospital on Friday and they said it definitely looked like FFA but they wanted a biopsy undertaken to confirm it...the doctor said two pieces will be taken, one horizontally and one vertically! I should hear within the next couple of weeks when this will take place. The Trichologist had written to my doctor with regards to treatments I should begin immediately and within a couple of days of seeing him I was using Synalar gel (steriod gel) and he also advised me to use T-Gel Coal Tar Shampoo to clean my scalp and ease the itching. Didn't really notice that I had itching until my GP asked if I had experienced itchiness and then it started itching like hell. The hospital doctor was pleased that I'd already been using these two treatments for the past three weeks and I very rarely experience any itchiness. I celebrated my 50th birthday by picking up the Synalar gel from the pharmacy! I'm a glass half full person but knowing that what hair has fallen out will never, ever, reappear is certainly testing this personality trait of mine. My eyebrows have thinned a bit and I have experienced itchy eyebrows for a while now (always thought it was my fringe resting on them!). Little did I know that this was a very early sign of FFA....I now tell people, if you get itchy eyebrows....don't ignore it! Eyelashes are still nice and long but my 17 year old daughter is a dab hand at applying 'falsies' so if my own disappear I will call on her assistance. One upshot is that the hair on my legs has decreased enormously...no longer will my husband curse me for using his razor! I do a lot of exericse, my favourite for the past few years has been Zumba and I used to push my hair back with a hairband...still do that but I now use a soft material type so that I can wear it down on my forehead and right behind my ears so it hides the hairline. If it doesn't get much worse than it is at present then the hairstyle I have hides the actual hairloss. But, if the worst should happen, then I've already made enquiries as to where the best place to go locally for assistance with hairpieces/wigs etc. A UK celebrity hairdresser has trained a lot of hairdressers to work on wigs etc (both supplying them and styling them) and there are a few local to me. Although it has only been a matter of a couple of months since I first noticed my hairloss, I have had a few teary moments but I'm determined that this is not going to define me and with the support of my wonderful husband, family, and brilliant friends I know I've got great support to help me on this journey.
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