I’m 19 years old and I know that everybody loses about 50 to 100 strands a day. But I’ve been noticing for a while that most of the strands I lose have the white tips at the end.
Is this natural? If not what would be the cause of most of my hair falling out from the roots?
Under 5% of the actual hair in a hair pull will come out. It should be substantially less than that. A white bulb tip in the hair that comes out is normal.
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I reside with my stepson, he’s a 27 year old black male. when he first arrived he had what looked like a ring worm on the back of his head behind his ear. It’s been months now and the spot has taken over the entire side of his head. While I stay clear of his hair loss (i don’t want that) I’m really worried… He could be really sick and won’t seek any medical treatment. It started like a quarter with a dime patch of hair in the middle now it’s a melon and getting worst. What is it ? If it was a ring worm wouldn’t the entire family have it by now?
I’m sure you knew when you asked the question what my answer would be — HE NEEDS TO SEE A DOCTOR! Sounds like this will only get worse without good medical attention. Ringworm is a fungal disease and can be spread from person to person. I can’t say for sure what he has since I haven’t seen him or photos, but you can learn more about ringworm at MedicineNet.
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hi doctor
i have recently been thinning out badly on top. i have very minimal recession of the hairline and i have a normal crown area. my thinning is through the centre of the scalp almost like female pattern baldness. it really bad at the front area. i have really greasy scalp conditions, and my scalp starts to hurt where the hair meets the scalp when it gets greasy.
what would you suggest for me to do next? thanks
Unfortunately, I can not tell much from what you are describing. You should be examined by a good doctor. I wish I could offer more help.
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The diagnosis for prostate cancer is a hit or miss process based upon elevated blood tests for PSA and blind needle biopsies, which are done over and over again until a diagnosis is in hand. This announcement is an alternative way of making the diagnosis with a new diagnostic tool that men need to know about.
So while this isn’t hair related, it is important for men to know about. From the article –
Presently, a new case of Prostate cancer is diagnosed every 3 minutes while 90 men die from prostate cancer every day. Prostate Biopsy, the “gold standard” for finding cancer of the prostate is associated with trauma, infection, bleeding and sampling bias. National statistics show that 10 men must undergo an ultrasound and biopsy to find 2-3 cancers. Translated another way, 7-8 men must undergo a procedure that is unnecessary as documented by a negative biopsy.
Read the full pres release: New Prostate Cancer Technology Saving Lives
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History, from the earliest recorded times’ bares out the impact of balding on men, their manliness, and their sexuality.
From the article –
It’s a terror so great that a musical superstar such as Sir Elton John, whose hair has been as thin as a Chernobyl technician’s since the mid 1970s, convinced himself he could fool the world into thinking that he has a mane as lustrous as a teenage beauty queen. It is this kind of susceptibility to mass delusion….
Read the full article by Christian O’Connell: TimesOnline UK – The thing every man fears
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Doctor,
I have 2 side effects from propecia. Increased libido (not a problem) and unfortunately nausea and heartburn. I take it after dinner, but don’t have GI problems until middle of the night. Are GI problems common? I’m at the point I may have to discontinue it. Any suggestions?
BTW: You site is a terrific balance to all the misinformation out there.
Before associating your nausea and heartburn with Propecia, you should have your symptoms evaluated by your physician. You may have have other underlying conditions such as heart disease or reflux esophagitis. Sometimes heart disease can present with nausea and heartburn. Please go see your doctor.
And thanks for your kind words about the site!
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Dear Dr Rassman, with respect to the miniaturization mapping, it seems that many of the dermatologists I’ve visited in Canada don’t know what it is or if they have heard of it they think it’s hogwash. What’s a guy with MPB to do in this situation? I REALLY want to find out how much and where the miniaturization has occurred on my scalp! Is there another method beside using the densimeter to get an accurate assessment of my balding?
Thanks!
I can’t force doctors to use microscopic evaluation of the scalp to determine degrees of miniaturization, but the mapping is certainly the best way to determine degrees of hair loss, rather than having your doctor essentially just eyeballing the problem. Perhaps you could/should print out our this page — Miniaturization and Hair Loss – More Than Meets the Eye — and give your dermatologist a copy of it.
You might even suggest your dermatologist buys a pocket hand-held microscope (see photo at right for an example) so that he/she can can make a diagnosis. Between the hand microscope suggestion (which runs about $8-15 and is sold at Radio Shack in the US or various online stores) and the sheet of paper you will bring your dermatologist, he/she should be appreciative.
I have pimples on my head. They are red and seem they have pus in the middle. The area where I have the pimples are is red and it feels that that every morning after I tried to get the yellow liquid of these pimples, the next morning when I touch them it seems there is something that has grown.
I am very concern about this problem. I do not have health insurance and I don’t know what to do. Please help me. Thanks
Based on what you describe, you may have a condition called folliculitis, which is an infection of the hair follicles. When you touch the pimples or break them open, you can easily spread the bacteria to non-infected follicles. You should see a family doctor or dermatologist to make the correct diagnosis, possibly culture the ‘infected pus’ and then treat you with an appropriate antibiotic.
Dear Dr. Rassman,
My apologies. I understand that you’ve discussed many times about laser treatment. However, if you regard it as faux, wouldn’t that be making places like those below, scam centres? http://www.ineedhair.com/laser.htm
Also, since people like Dr. Alan Bauman advocates the use of laser for hair regrowth, does it make him a fake? My apologies, I’m not slamming or anything, but really would like to know the facts..
Thank you. Regards
Firstly, I don’t believe I’ve ever regarded laser treatment for hair as a fraud. I just do not endorse this technology, because I have my issues with claims that are made being poorly documented as science. I call this pseudoscience and I can not ask for payments from patients for a treatment that I do not believe has proof of value. These laser machines (office consoles) cost in the thousands of dollars and if a doctor is looking for a new revenue stream, buying these machines and charging for their use go hand-in-hand. The evidence that is out there may be enough for some doctors, just not for me.
With that said, I have two such systems in my office and I offer them at no charge to my patients who wish to use them and come to the office a few times a week. I wanted to see if the patients who used it claimed value for it, and as there was no financial risk to the patient, I thought I would give it a fair clinical test. The result of my very loose clinical test does not confirm value one way or the other.
Other doctors may endorse lasers and it is their prerogative, as many also endorse shampoos and conditioners and other cosmetic products. The less vested doctors are in the financial rewards of selling these products, the more believable will be their recommendations.
In the end, as stated here over and over, it is a buyer beware market and we need to make well informed decisions for ourselves.
Clearly, some people know how to exploit balding in the Hollywood setting. The San Francisco Chronicle looks into actors that are shaving their heads for movie roles, instead of going with the naturally bald actors. From the article:
Timothy Olyphant plays Agent 47, the bald assassin in the new action movie “Hitman.” The controversy? Why have the well-coiffed Olyphant shave his head when there are so many bald actors who are perfect for the role?
Full article — Hairless fakers, take note. Bald is in charge.
