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Have Atopic Excema And Atopic Dermatitus. Lost Hair On Scalp, Eyebrows, Eyelashes, Legs And Arms. What Can Be Done?
Question: Hi there, my name is XXXXX and I live in St XXXXXXX MO. I have 2 skin disorders, atopic excema and atopic dermatitus. Last year my daughter and I went to Ft Walton Beach in FL. I noticed within a week of us getting back I started losing my hair, by the 1st week in December I had lost all of my hair, scalp, eyebrows, eyelashes, legs, arms and pubic..... I haven't worked in a year and I don't have insurance. I have suffered alapecia twice, once in 2001 when my Dad died and once when my Mom started getting ill and she died after 4 years in a nursing home. My daughter doesn't have any skin conditions nor did she lose her hair.... What could possibly be wrong? I have taken since January Bioidentical partial hysterectomy in 1999. And Gall-bladder removal 3-25-2008
Hi XXXXXXX
Thanks for writing to us.
Apart from having atopic eczema or atopic dermatitis( both are same), you are having a condition known as alopecia universalis.
Alopecia universalis is a generalised variant of alopecia areata. Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disorder characterised by sudden onset if patches of hair loss involves scalp mostly but can involve almost any hairy body part.
In your case as the involvement us generalised the firstl modality of therapy to be tried is systemic steroid. It can be given as monthly injection of 40 mg triamcinolone or as weekly betamethasone pulse therapy. The same would also help in controlling atopic eczema to some extent too.
Alopecia areata is associated with atopic eczema in few cases.
To maintain atopic eczema
Use a mild colloid oat meal or glycerine based soap
Use XXXXXXX warm water instead of hot water to bathe
Apply a good moisturiser meant for atopic skin immediately after bath and multiple times in a day
Continue doxepine to prevent itch
Moisturising skin properly would avert flare up of eczema and limit steroid use too.
Also kindly consult your dermatologist as steroids can only be used by prescription from doctor near by.
Hope that answered your query.
Should there be any doubt further, please write back.
Take care.
Thanks for writing to us.
Apart from having atopic eczema or atopic dermatitis( both are same), you are having a condition known as alopecia universalis.
Alopecia universalis is a generalised variant of alopecia areata. Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disorder characterised by sudden onset if patches of hair loss involves scalp mostly but can involve almost any hairy body part.
In your case as the involvement us generalised the firstl modality of therapy to be tried is systemic steroid. It can be given as monthly injection of 40 mg triamcinolone or as weekly betamethasone pulse therapy. The same would also help in controlling atopic eczema to some extent too.
Alopecia areata is associated with atopic eczema in few cases.
To maintain atopic eczema
Use a mild colloid oat meal or glycerine based soap
Use XXXXXXX warm water instead of hot water to bathe
Apply a good moisturiser meant for atopic skin immediately after bath and multiple times in a day
Continue doxepine to prevent itch
Moisturising skin properly would avert flare up of eczema and limit steroid use too.
Also kindly consult your dermatologist as steroids can only be used by prescription from doctor near by.
Hope that answered your query.
Should there be any doubt further, please write back.
Take care.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
So, can my hair grow back? Especially on my scalp, it sucks being bald, LOL.
Hi XXXXXXX
Thanks for writing back.
Alopecia universalis ( AU) is most difficult to treat and prognosis is variable. In some results might be desirable, in many no response is seen with therapy offered.
The treatment of choice for AU is contact immunotherapy which involves weekly application of chemical DPCP over scalp in increasing concentration to induce an allergic response which later on causes hair growth. Another option could be use of oral steroids.
If you have not tried anything, its worth giving a try.
Hope that answered your query.
Regards
Thanks for writing back.
Alopecia universalis ( AU) is most difficult to treat and prognosis is variable. In some results might be desirable, in many no response is seen with therapy offered.
The treatment of choice for AU is contact immunotherapy which involves weekly application of chemical DPCP over scalp in increasing concentration to induce an allergic response which later on causes hair growth. Another option could be use of oral steroids.
If you have not tried anything, its worth giving a try.
Hope that answered your query.
Regards
Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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