Comment by Tiffany P on August 5, 2010 at 7:19pm

Did you get a scalp biopsy? I knew what my hairloss was before the doctors by doing a ton of research online and looked at facts instead what i hoped it would be i also had scalp sensitivity but i have both TE and androgenetic alopecia so i cant say which caused it. Do you have any family members with hairloss? The problem with doctors is unless your hair is coming out in obvious patches half the time they get confused and tell you its either TE or androgenetic alopecia throw rogain at you and tell you to have a good day. As far as labs i had my complete blood levels done and hormones checked and everything was normal except i am anemic but i have been that since teen years. Frustrating isnt it? and then they act like your making up the scalp pain and its actually there and its very bothersome plus i have psoriasis but i also had that since teen years. I wish i could be more help but to tell you the truth to find a good doctor that knows what to look for is a needle in the haystack, but dont stop trying because its important to know whats going on even if you dont like the answer.

Comment by Julie Koch on August 5, 2010 at 9:21pm

I actually was scheduled for a biopsy last week but when I got there he decided against doing it. He said my scalp looked healthy and that he didn't think they would find anything because of limited research. He ordered a bunch of blood tests and they came back normal. He also said that he didn't want to cause me anymore psychological pain issues because he knew I wasn't handling the pain well and the whole mental stress of it all. He didn't want to put a hole in my head when it wasn't worth it. He basically ended the appointment by saying, "Make an appointment with your psychiatrist and talk to him." In other words, "It's all in your head". Maybe it is? I just don't know. There is an obvious 30% hair loss because my hair used to be so thick and now when I pull it back for a ponytail, it's small. My hair has become brittle and the texture seems different. I don't have many health issues except for the consequences of having an eating disorder and being underweight. None of this makes any sense in my head. It's like putting together a puzzle with pieces missing. I appreciate your advice and thoughts! I haven't gotten my hormones checked and I think I will do that. My whole body seems out of whack. Skin is oiler, itchier, acne that I never get, etc... There is no family history of hair loss in my family. Oh yea, I was thrown the Rogaine by my first dermatologist who didn't even examine me! So frustrating!

Comment by Tamara on August 6, 2010 at 7:23am

My dermatologist just started rooting through my hair and tugging on it, and showed me that the hairs around my bald spots fell out with her barely pulling on them, and she said "You have what we call Alopecia Areata" and then starts talking about shots in my scalp. They hurt and I felt personally werent right for me. Im thinking about trying to find a dermatologist in my area that specializes in Alopecia, or knows more about it than my doctor did. I have the burning and itching (I think I told you that) and a few days after a certain spot burns and itches, those hairs fall out. So if I were you, I would try to get a second opinion. My dermatologist even told me to not even bother trying Rogaine, so all dermatologist are different!

Comment by Dana Kozlowski on August 6, 2010 at 8:30am

Julie,

I would try to find a female physician. I have found that male physicians don't seem to understand the underlying affects of this and imply that it is in your head. I have a female physician and am going to a female dermatologist and she is wonderful. I have learned that Nioxin doesn't work because my isn't a over abundance of DHT which is why most men loose their hair. I have been using shampoo with biotin and my dermatologist did put me on medications and it seems to be working. I know not everyone get the same results, but I am pretty happy with mine so far. I lost over 30% of my hair and I don't have a lot of hair so it was VERY APPARENT :( I did change my attitude to be more positive and take vitamins. I try to keep busy. I lost my hair right after a car accident, I was taking 3 classes a semester (close to graduating) and working 40 hours a week with many dysfunctional employees..............lots of stress at the time. I did go talk to someone as well which helped. I think a combination of all helped me out.....my hair starting coming back about the 3rd month. Your eating disorder may be part of your hair loss. If I find some info I will pass it on. Have a great weekend.

Comment by Yanira & Leilany on August 6, 2010 at 9:15pm

you may need to see an endocrinologist to see how is your thyroid levels and try to find and specialist doctor a dermatologist that specialized on alopecia im trying for my daughter Leilany a professor from the Miami university his name is lawrence schackner in Florida we live in here and i was refer by 2 difernt dermatologist one from NY and one from Florida they both told me he is the best in this area you may get some answers if you try this options God bless you and good luck

Comment by Joyce Holloway on August 7, 2010 at 11:20pm

Comment by Tootie:
Has anyone tried taking Benadryl? Seems to make me feel more comfortable in addition to steroid creams.

Comment by Heather on August 8, 2010 at 12:30am

Sounds like alopecia areata. I had a biopsy very early on in my alopecia....suggestive of androgenetic, but it was wrong. It turned out to alopecia areata. And yes, the hair can become very brittle and weak. the pain you feel is NOT in your head. If you search burning scalp on this site, you will see that many people have it as well.

Comment by linda carraway on August 8, 2010 at 6:47pm

He sent you to the head dr to keep you sane,this can be very depressing.Go to the endo and have your thyroid and hormones checked.Your immune sytem is compromised do to the eating problem.Make sure you keep eating a healthly diet some people recommend an organic and gluten free.It helps to research things here,I haven;t found anything in the medical books. .My husband still teases me about giving him the" my hair hurts excuse"!!! If you don't have insurance google free or low cost clinics in your area.Blessings Linda

Comment by Julie Koch on August 8, 2010 at 7:10pm

Thank you so much Linda! I actually talked about my nutrition with my brother and his wife today and I didn't realize how underweight and sick I was. My weight is in the 80's and I know that can't be good and I read somewhere that eating disorders can trigger TE or alopecia... It's worth the effort and stress to gain some weight for the sake of my hair and my overall health. The thing I don't understand is the fact that I weighed 57 pounds about five years ago and I didn't have any of these hair issues. Maybe overtime it is just too much for the body to handle and starts to shut down things it doesn't need to survive. I have had this for 18 years afterall and something is bound to go to the wayside eventually. I will try to eat more ( I do eat healthy) and gain some weight and see how that helps. At least I will be able to rule out another thing. Thanks much and lots of hugs!

Comment by Dominique Cleopatra on August 10, 2010 at 2:56am

Julie, if I had to guess, I would say your eating disorder is causing your hair to become thin. When the body is starved for nutrience it doesn't waste it on things that aren't necessary for survival (e.g. hair growth) and basically goes into "starvation mode." I weigh about 100 pounds and am 5 foot 1 and am very tiny (but a healthy weight) 80 pounds is what a little girl should weigh not a strong grown woman. Not all hair loss is reversable but, I think yours might be if you keep your eating disorder in check. Are you in therapy or an eating disorder support group?

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