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Alopecia phase II-Scalp changes
Back in January I wrote about being diagnosed with shingles on my head. I had a burning red patch on my scalp. It began at night, on my way home from a gig. I didn't feel it at first, but my husband noticed it saying to me "Lili your head is bright red". It burned. That was a Saturday. I went to my primary care physician. He said I had shingles. Gave me an antibiotic and a cream. It did nothing to help. 3 weeks later I saw my dermatologist. Since the condition persisted he thought I had post-herpatic disorder, basically an extension of shingles. He gave me a different topical steroid. At this point its February. The condition subsides and goes away. Surprisingly, I wake up one morning to discover its back. By the time I'm able to get an appointment with my dermatologist, its April. In between that time, the flare up of redness, burning and itching usually goes away overnight. But it reappears randomly. I keep track on my calendar. I finally see my doctor in April, showing up a day or so after a flare up but not when its in full-swing. He took pictures of my head and said "I don't know what this is". He instructed me to tell the front receptionist to mark my file, that when I wake up again with this at its worst state that they are to "squeeze me in"; he wants to see my head when its at its worst. He gave me a script for the strongest topical steroid cream.
I use it. It works. I'm a happy camper. Fast forward to end of May. I wake up this week, and this is what I look like, one of the worst episodes. I initially awaken feel my head itch. By the time I get up and look in the mirror, its burning. I call the dermatologist, remind the receptionist what he said, about their "squeezing me in" so he can evaluate. Doesn't matter, as he is out of the office for 3 days. I get an appointment with my primary care physician for the next day (yesterday, Friday, 5/31). He is sending me to an allergist. He believes I never had shingles, which I suspected, however, he doesn't know what I have either. I want to know what this is so it can be treated.
If any of you have experienced this PLEASE let me know. I don't mind having lost my hair to alopecia. Its just hair. I've made peace with it all quite readily. I don't, however, like how this feels or looks. Again, anyone having similar experience who have sought treatment or know any information, please comment. For the record, most of my hair went end of February 2011. I shaved the bit that was left March 5, 2011. Below is what it looks like. One of the photos is blurry, but you can see the redness. Thank you.
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Comment by wise1 on June 1, 2013 at 8:11pm
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I'm am sooo not a doctor,just thinking out loud.... I wonder if it is related to the inflammatory response your body is having (hence the alopecia) since it comes and goes... like an extreme eczema....OR have you changed anything? Creams, sunscreen, laundry soap, face care stuff? Do you shave? could it be related to your razor? Have you tried keeping a journal about foods you are eating around the time of a flare up? I get hot and itchy frequently but nothing that seems as bad as what you describe. Hoping you find the answers :-)
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Comment by Lili Añel (aka Eulalia) on June 1, 2013 at 8:23pm
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Thank you Wise 1 you are the second person to tell me this. I have not read much about the body's "inflammatory response" and alopecia. Sounds like it. Do you know where I can read information regarding this? I thought alopecia was strictly hair loss. I still have a lot to learn. Thank you, again.
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Comment by Tracy on June 1, 2013 at 8:37pm
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Very interesting blog. I do believe that inflammatory foods play a key roll in alopecia. I'm slowly cutting out inflammatory foods. I hope to find it helps with my alopecia.
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Oh yes inflammation is big in autoimmune disorders, your body's inability to tell what is a foreign invader and what is healthy self tissue. Your body rushes in to fight off things it should recognize as self. I think if you just googled autoimmune disorders and the inflammatory response you might find some information. Funny now our bodies work and when they go haywire it can be hard to track the source. I will never forget how long it took my husband and I to figure out he had an allergy to laurel sulfates ( foaming agent in soaps, shampoos, laundry detergents etc.). He was going mad with itchiness and no doctor was able to help him out. When we discovers it and went to natural soap products he was cured of the persistent itchiness that occurred all over his body. I hope you can figure this out, it sounds frustrating.
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Maybe look up urticaria?
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I have extremely sensitive skin and use a water filter for my shower.
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Wise1 "urticaria" is the formal name for hives. My doctor stated what I had on my scalp did not look like hives. I'm guessing the allergist/immunologist testing will determine more, I hope.
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Comment by Margaret Brennan on June 3, 2013 at 3:18pm
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my daughter had shingles at age 23 or 24. after it cleared up she would get these terrible redness and itching. It went on for years and was that post herpatic reaction or whatever they call it. is there a chance that you have that but that it is worse because of the AA. Just a thought.
grandma maggie
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Thank you Margaret Brennan. You may be correct. I am seeing an allergist on Thursday and hopefully will be given a RAST test (blood test) and see what foods may be contributing to my inflammation.
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I feel for you!I had something similar in terms of symptoms, but the redness was blister-like and very painful. Turned out to be folliculitis and for me and antibiotics worked. I actually see an acupuncturist and a registered dietitian, who both agree that I have high inflammatory "heat" throughout my body. If you are up for trying it, there are herbs and supplements that are designed to decrease the inflammation and help your body fight off these types of symptoms. This is all new to me, but my feeling is that they can't hurt and many people have said they helped them. Good luck!
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