Popular modern hairstyles which tightly braid the hair at the scalp can lead to permanent bald patches, say experts.
“Corn rows” and other styles, like extensions, which pull the hair are to blame, particularly if combined with hair straightening chemicals.
This is very interesting reading. Full article here — BBC – Braiding ‘can lead to hair loss’
My 12 yr old son had an infected cyst on his scalp which has caused a penny sized bald patch. Our doctor said his hair should grow back if left alone, but I am wondering if the cyst needs to be removed to allow the hair to grow back. The painful swelling of the cyst is gone down and there is just a soft jelly like lump where the cyst was. Can you tell me if his hair is likely to grow back without any surgery. Thank you.
I cannot tell you anything different than what your doctor has already told you. Hair should grow back if left alone. If it does not grow back there is an option for a hair transplant surgery to address the small bald patch. Excision of these cysts may be appropriate if it returns infected again.
Dr. Rassman,
For the last 3 or 4 months, I’ve been suffering with seborrheic dermatitis, and diffuse hair loss. I went to my dermatologist, who did a fungal test on me. The test came back positive, I ALSO had the rare adult tinea capitis. However, my treatment of griseofulvin is just about over, and im still suffering from diffuse hair loss. I had my family doctor check my horomones, and thyroid. All my hormones came back normal, except for my progesterone is high!! Not to mention my hair seems to be thinning in my temple areas recently, but isn’t progesterone supposed to inhibit the male hormone DHT? Please help, im shedding alot!!
These are all different issues and you are trying to make sense of it by linking it all to hair loss. If you have a high progesterone level it may just be a coincidental finding. It depends on what other physical problems you are having or how much higher than it normally is to be considered high. You may just have a high progesterone level that is normal to your body. If you are female you may be in a specific menstrual cycle (see Female Genetic Hair Loss Is Different From Male Genetic Hair Loss). As you can see I do not have all your medical history or information to give you a specific answer. You should address these concerns with your doctor who ordered these tests. In summary, treat your hair fungus, follow-up with your doctor, and see a hair specialist (dermatologist or a hair transplant doctor) if you continue to lose hair. It is just not possible to diagnose or even make logical guesses for this over the internet.
I am a male of age 33. I have lost hair in three patches at chin and at upper part of neck. The patches have grown a bit in size and looks threatening. I went to a couple of physicians, they called alopecia areata. Now I am being prescribed:
Candid Lotion
Minoxidyl
Nuforce 150 tabletsPlease suggest about this. I am losing my confidence everytime I see a mirror. Can I get out of it?
While surgery is never indicated for active alopecia areata, there are some doctors who specialize in this disease. See Alopecia Areata in a Patient with a Miracle Cure for details.
Dear Dr.,
I am 23 years old and have had full thick hair my whole life. Recently when I was washing my hair I felt a bald spot on the back of my head close to the top of my neck. It is about the size of quarter. I have no other bald spots on my head nor is my hair hair thining anywhere. I have gone to get blood work done, and the have checked everything from my thyriod to the female horomone levels. Everything has come back normal except for my white count which came back at 13, which is just a little high. They still cant figure out what is going on. what do you think could be possibly going on?
Infection (ringworm) and alopecia areata are just two examples of diseases that can produce what you’re seeing. You need to see a good, competent, and caring dermatologist.
Hi, I’m a 25 yr old female who has noticed lots of hair loss and scalp showing. When I put my hair down the middle part is getting a bit wider and is creeping further back. When i put my hair up, I have to be careful that hair is covering the scalp showing on the sides.
My dad’s side has hair loss and I’ve been taking diet pills from 1998- 2007 (abused lots of ephedra-based ones) and have dealt w/binge eating, bulimia, and a serious case of anorexia. Is this all catching up w/me?
Either way, WHO do I go see to get a diagnosis? Someone told me endocinologist while others say dermatologist. I’m a college student w/no health insurance so money is very tight. Any
suggestions would be GREATLY appreciated!Thank you for taking your time to read this and I hope to hear back soon.
You need a primary care doctor first and foremost. It is highly likely that your erratic diet is central to your hair loss, so that is where you need to start. Weight loss and poor diet are contributing factors for hair loss.
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I had liposuction with local anesthesia about 4 months ago. I seem to be losing a lot of hair. I knew it could happen with surgery but local anesthesia?
Any stress can cause hair loss. I can not give you any other explanation.
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Hello,
I had 1600 hairs transplanted in March, 2006 and it seems that I need a little more fullness. I was thinking of purchasing some clip-in hair extensions around 1″-2″ wide to add fullness here are there. They are apparently undetectable and can be taken out easily. Do you think these could cause any damage at all? Thanks again for all your great work.
Clip-ins may produce traction alopecia (hair loss), particularly when applied in the same place each time. As the clips are generally fixed to the wig, they almost always may be applied to the same place or the wig is out of place. I would think twice about producing that type of damage for the long term.
my hair has been short since i can remember. people tell me that cutting it makes it grow but my dad wont let me cut my hair. what should i do… is doo grow and doctor miracal good. i plan on leaving my hair in braids for about 4 months strait in hope that it will grow. can you please give me some tips thank you so much and god bless….
Cutting your hair or letting it grow will not impact the growth rate of your hair. Hair generally will grow about 1/2 inch per month.
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3 months after the onset of summer my hair starts to shed/regrowth more, it reaches a peak then goes back to normal. Do you know if this is because we are subjected to longer daylight in summer or is it that we absorb more sunlight. Its only more noticeable to me since I lost hair due to iron deficiency.
Humans have asynchronous hair growth, which means we shed and regrow hair uniformly as a general rule, so sunlight should not cause hair loss. Clearly, when you added hair loss due to iron deficiency (and what else?), there are clearly other factors that make my opinion inadequate in giving you a knowledgeable answer. For example, many people with iron deficiency have anemia as well, which also leads to hair loss.
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