Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Tory on November 29, 2010 at 8:50pm

I do. I was diagnosed with AA and androgenic alopecia two years ago. I only experience from my frontal hairline across the top, not down the back. I've also be diagnosed with cutaneous lupus erythematosis, so my rheumatologist put me on hydroxychloroquine and I've had fewer flare-ups. I'm not saying this is the case with everyone, but by testing the lupus medication on me, we were able to relieve some of the burning pain. I wish you the best of luck on your journey. peace

Permalink Reply by Phyllis Wallace on November 30, 2010 at 12:09pm

Hi Tory,
Thanks for your reply. I'm curious...What prompted your doc to test for lupus? Was it solely the burning and hair loss or did you have other symptoms? I hope you don't mind me asking.
Thanks!

Permalink Reply by Tory on December 2, 2010 at 2:52pm

Phyllis, the reason they tested was because I had what appeared to be a rash or sore where the burning and hair loss was. It was my dermatologist that first discovered it, but she didn't want to test it, instead referred me to her rheumatologist to rule out Lupus. I have to say that the blood tests and biopsies came back negative/inconclusive. However, there were enough of the other symptoms to go ahead with the medication testing. Which lasted six months on and was supposed to be six weeks off, but it didn't last that long. I went one week off and all of my symptoms returned. I still have patchy hair loss from time to time and my "receding" hairline on my right temple, but over all the hair loss has slowed and I haven't had the red itchy patches/sores. Occasionally, I have a flair-up but it never develops into a sore. Peace.

Permalink Reply by Figarosmom on December 6, 2011 at 1:42pm

Hi Phyllis
I also experience this. I notice it around 3-4 days before my little friend comes. I have AGA by the way. It's a pretty common condition that mostly effects women with hair loss. There is debate if it is cause by inflammation of the hair follicles at certain hair growth stages or if it is psychosymatic. It is called trichodynia.

Here is an article from Discovery Health.
http://health.howstuffworks.com/skin-care/scalp-care/problems/trich...

Permalink Reply by bethany on October 22, 2012 at 2:10pm

same here! i finally marked painful days on a calendar and there was the pattern! are you on any medication for this? (i'm new to all this!)

Permalink Reply by Phyllis Wallace on October 22, 2012 at 4:06pm

Hi Bethanyanne,
I researched the burning thing online and learned that Alopecia patients with the burning have a build up of "Substance P" in their systems. Substance P is a neurotransmitter related to the sensation of pain. According to my Neurologist neighbor, Substance P is also found in patients with arthritis. He suggested I try Capcaisin cream to block Substance P. It works as a counter irritant. I have applied it to my burning patches (with a q-tip because it is derived from hot peppers) once daily for two or three weeks and it has been effective in calming down the hot spots. It has also stopped these spots from growing in size. Using the capsaicin cream and adopting an anti-inflammatory diet have been very successful for me. I hope this helps you.

Permalink Reply by bethany on October 23, 2012 at 10:07pm

Hey, Phyllis!
Thank you for the quick reply!
i will look into the cream, maybe at a Whole Foods or something? I also hadn't thought about anything related to my diet... Although I began to notice I was loosing my hair in 2000, I haven't been officially diagnosed with Alopecia and I'm kind of at a loss for where to start. The few times I've mentioned hair loss and scalp pain to various Drs. I was brushed off. Within the last 5 years or so there is no longer any question about what's happening, and I just haven't had the heart to bring it up to a Dr. If there is any advice you could share I would really appreciate it..ie-should I schedule an appointment with a dermatologist and an endocrinologist?
thank you!

Permalink Reply by Phyllis Wallace on October 26, 2012 at 10:48am

Hi Bethany,
Sorry I did not answer sooner. Like you, the docs I went to had never dealt with the combination of hair loss and burning. The correlation between my diet and my itching and burning symptoms was undeniable. I felt very inflamed, especially after eating things like wheat, peanuts, corn, soy, tomatoes, or anything spicy. I "googled" inflammatory foods and confirmed that all of the foods that I suspected were culprits are considered "inflammatory". I picked up a book called, "The Anti-Inflammation Diet and Recipe Book", written by a naturopathic doctor named Jessica Black. It has made a huge difference for me and I find I do best by avoiding these foods and anything processed. At first, my primary care doc brushed off this idea that food was the problem. Several months later on, she admitted that studies are showing that there is indeed a link between diet and inflammatory conditions such as alopecia, arthritis, etc.
As for the Capsaicin cream, you can find it at a pharmacy such as Walgreen's (if they are in your area).
Seeing a dermatologist and/or a naturopathic doctor would be my suggestion. In my opinion, a dermatologist is more likely to treat the symptoms and a naturopath is more likely to treat the root cause. Personally, I tried both plus my primary care doc and an herbalist/acupucturist. I got so sick of doctor's and finally decided that I was my own best doctor.

Permalink Reply by Michele on February 23, 2012 at 4:14pm

Hello~I also experience burning on my scalp. It actually started a week BEFORE my hair started falling out. I was diagnosed with AA the beginning of January. My dermotologist said I am highly active right now. So I am assuming that the discomfort means I am just going to lose more hair! It is a constant reminder that my hair follicles are being attacked.
:(