Category: Hair Diseases

First, I have to say what an amazingly informative site this is! I am a female in my mid-twenties. On and off for the past 10 years I have suffered psoriasis on my scalp. It gets scaly and itchy. Usually I am able to avoid picking it; however over the past 8 months I went through a very difficult period and was under tremendous stress. Unconsciously, I began to pick at my scalp and it has now turned into a persistent bad habit. I have noticed that as a result my hair is thinning. I have always had thinner hair at this point the hair loss is not blaringly obvious but it is getting to the point that I have to avoid certain hair styles all together and harder and harder to hide. I had assumed that this was a result simply from pulling at the scalp and playing with my hair. Now after reading more on your site I am concerned that I am suffering traction alopecia in addition to the psoriasis. I know that controlling the picking is the first step and I am assuming this is a psychological issure but I have not found anyone to help with this. I saw a Dr. who prescribed me Fluocinonide, which helps moderately with the irritation. Is there another course of action you recomend? A way to help the scalp heal and perhaps prevent traction alopecia?
Thanks!!!!

You are right. You must first treat your obsessive disorder and stop picking at your hair (trichotillomania). Without that, nothing is going to work, because even if you help your hair grow by other treatments, you will most likely continue to pull the hair out. If you could stop picking at your hair, your hair will grow in 4 to 6 months provided that you did not do so much picking that you have developed true traction alopecia.

Also see: I Am Pulling My Hair Out and Need Advice

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My husband was diagnosed with mixed connective tissue disease. He is 55 and is currently on prednisone (20mg) and celcept. He is seeing a rheumatologist who is trying to get him off prednisone with very little success. All other medications he has tried are causing severe side effects. He has been in the hospital 3 times since being diagnosed 5 months ago. His hair is thinning and we told his doctor but he has not said much about what to do about it. His disease is still not managed. We would like to get a second opinion. Anyone in San Francisco area or bay area?????

Unfortunately, I do not have any suggestion for you on treatment. Autoimmune diseases can have hair loss as a side effect and the use of steroids can also be a cause. Ask your doctor for a second opinion. For the readers that wish to learn more about this rare disease, please see MayoClinic.com.

You said in a previous post that skin inflammation causes hair loss. If Eczema is a disease caused by skin inflammation, does Eczema cause hairloss?

Inflammation of scalp (and eczema) may cause hair loss from scratching when you comb and/or brush your hair, as it may pull out if you are not careful with it. Using a good conditioner will help soften the scales and separate them from any crusts.

I keep noticing that people with thinning eyelashes and eyebrows keep mentioning thyroid problems. I take synthroid. Can this cause my problem? The lashes are also curling the opposite way that they should. Hoping for an answer. Thank you.

Thyroid disorders can affect hair growth. In particular, low function of thyroid can cause loss of hair in the eyebrows. Patients who suffer from hypothyroidism (decreased function of thyroid gland) may lose their eyebrow hair, especially the hair in the lateral one third of it. I am not aware that thyroid diseases or its medications can change the curling of the eyelashes. See a doctor to further evaluate this.