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Suggest Treatment For Excessive Hair Loss
Question: Hair loss? Not growing? Dry and appears to be breaking off. Had went to certified Dermatologist before contacting you. He said I didn't fit into any category. Thought I had overall loss and said Rogaine was the only thing he could recommend . I have not started Rogaine. What other tests could I ask my family doctor to check that might get to the root cause.?
Brief Answer:
Use Nizoral shampoo.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic.
I have gone carefully through your query as well as the previous updates. Since you have already got an opinion from a dermatologist, I doubt if I would have anything new to say. But let me mention that there are two factors that you need to be concerned about.
The first factor is a fungal infection called seborrhoeic dermatitis, what we commonly refer to as dandruff. Since you have mentioned about dry hair and the benefit you have received by applying coconut oil, I think that seborrhoeic dermatitis could be an important cause of your hairfall, especially because you mention dry hair breaking off. I would suggest you to apply ketoconazole shampoo (available in brands like Nizoral or the ones containing ZPTO) twice or thrice a week. After you apply it, let it remain on your scalp for a few minutes before you wash it off.
The second factor is male pattern baldness. If you have that, irrespective of what you do, you will lose hair. If that is the case, I would suggest you not to try anything as nothing will actually help. Rogaine contains minoxidil which is known to cause hair growth initially but as soon as you ever discontinue it, hairfall would increase manifold. Surely you would not like to apply it religiously everyday of your life henceforth. So, my suggetion would be not to go for it.
I would not suggest any tests. Tests are intended to help in deciding upon some intervention. I have already discussed the interventions you have at hand. It is no use going for a genetic analysis to evaluate if you are genetically susceptible. A KOH preparation or a fungal culture for dandruff would be meaningless too. I hope you understand.
Regards
Use Nizoral shampoo.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic.
I have gone carefully through your query as well as the previous updates. Since you have already got an opinion from a dermatologist, I doubt if I would have anything new to say. But let me mention that there are two factors that you need to be concerned about.
The first factor is a fungal infection called seborrhoeic dermatitis, what we commonly refer to as dandruff. Since you have mentioned about dry hair and the benefit you have received by applying coconut oil, I think that seborrhoeic dermatitis could be an important cause of your hairfall, especially because you mention dry hair breaking off. I would suggest you to apply ketoconazole shampoo (available in brands like Nizoral or the ones containing ZPTO) twice or thrice a week. After you apply it, let it remain on your scalp for a few minutes before you wash it off.
The second factor is male pattern baldness. If you have that, irrespective of what you do, you will lose hair. If that is the case, I would suggest you not to try anything as nothing will actually help. Rogaine contains minoxidil which is known to cause hair growth initially but as soon as you ever discontinue it, hairfall would increase manifold. Surely you would not like to apply it religiously everyday of your life henceforth. So, my suggetion would be not to go for it.
I would not suggest any tests. Tests are intended to help in deciding upon some intervention. I have already discussed the interventions you have at hand. It is no use going for a genetic analysis to evaluate if you are genetically susceptible. A KOH preparation or a fungal culture for dandruff would be meaningless too. I hope you understand.
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
I have been told that in Chinese medicine hair problems are associated with the liver. Have you ever heard anything about this? I didn't have dandruff on my clothes. Can I have that and have a normal scalp with dry hair? The dermatologist said my scalp didn't look like there was anything wrong with it and that I didn't have any predispositions because of hereditary or reasons to lose hair because of medications. Until using the coconut oil, my hair was so dry that I only washed it once a week. What is in this shampoo you recommend that would help? I am wondering if I should have some test for hormone imbalance or nutrient absorption?
I view my overall health as good so with all these new things cropping up since October of last year, I feel something is causing it all. The dermatologist said ridges in my fingernails was part of aging. I have read that it can be a thyroid problem which also effects hair. I did have a positive antigen test ( autoimmune ) that the dermatologist suggested seeing a rheumatoid arthritis doctor but my regular doctor said it wasn't anything that much to be concerned about but has me taking the test
again in a couple months. I really don't feel that I am a hypochondriac but no one in my family has any issues with their hair and I have 5 brothers and 4 sisters with absolutely no issues with their hair. What do you think about an autoimmune issue?
I view my overall health as good so with all these new things cropping up since October of last year, I feel something is causing it all. The dermatologist said ridges in my fingernails was part of aging. I have read that it can be a thyroid problem which also effects hair. I did have a positive antigen test ( autoimmune ) that the dermatologist suggested seeing a rheumatoid arthritis doctor but my regular doctor said it wasn't anything that much to be concerned about but has me taking the test
again in a couple months. I really don't feel that I am a hypochondriac but no one in my family has any issues with their hair and I have 5 brothers and 4 sisters with absolutely no issues with their hair. What do you think about an autoimmune issue?
Brief Answer:
Wash your hair regularly. Use shampoo+conditioner on alternate days.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for writing back.
Modern Western Medicine is based on clinical evidence and not presumptions. The basis of ailments need to be verifiable and logically explainable. We have arrived at such a stage backed up by significant research and fool proofing. Such cross check and research measures are lacking in many indigenous branches of medicine including Chinese Medicine. It might be that at some point of time in the ancient past some learned person had the notion that hair problems are associated with the liver. But the issue remains how to prove it. Without proof, its just somebody's haunch. I hope you understand.
I cannot comment on the presence or absence of seborrhoeic dermatitis without clinical examination. But the fact of hair breaking off speaks in favour of fungal infection and a KOH test can be done to evaluate the same. Visit a dermatologist and talk to him about the same.
I have already given the suggestion of Nizoral shampoo. Otherwise any other standard shampoo backed up by a hair conditioner should be fine.
The ridges on your fingernails are normal and not a cause for concern.
The autoimmune issue may or may not be associated and it is no use thinking over things you do not have any hold on. Please do not panic about your hair. Everybody has issues with something or the other. While you have an issue with your hair, others have issues with something else.
Live your life without worrying so much.
Wash your hair regularly. Use shampoo+conditioner on alternate days.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for writing back.
Modern Western Medicine is based on clinical evidence and not presumptions. The basis of ailments need to be verifiable and logically explainable. We have arrived at such a stage backed up by significant research and fool proofing. Such cross check and research measures are lacking in many indigenous branches of medicine including Chinese Medicine. It might be that at some point of time in the ancient past some learned person had the notion that hair problems are associated with the liver. But the issue remains how to prove it. Without proof, its just somebody's haunch. I hope you understand.
I cannot comment on the presence or absence of seborrhoeic dermatitis without clinical examination. But the fact of hair breaking off speaks in favour of fungal infection and a KOH test can be done to evaluate the same. Visit a dermatologist and talk to him about the same.
I have already given the suggestion of Nizoral shampoo. Otherwise any other standard shampoo backed up by a hair conditioner should be fine.
The ridges on your fingernails are normal and not a cause for concern.
The autoimmune issue may or may not be associated and it is no use thinking over things you do not have any hold on. Please do not panic about your hair. Everybody has issues with something or the other. While you have an issue with your hair, others have issues with something else.
Live your life without worrying so much.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
I believe most women would be concerned about going bald. I have always had pretty decent hair and have never spent a lot of time pampering myself so what is going on has forced me into spending much more time on my hair than I ever had to. I have plenty of other things to do besides worry but if there is any way to halt or improve what is going on that would be great. I had hoped to talk to the previous Dr. XXXXXXX to see if he had any further suggestions as I had received an email from Healthcare Magic a couple of days ago with his picture asking how things were going but couldn't get to him. All of his suggestions I have incorporated into my daily routine and the look of my hair is 100percent better( not looking so dry and dead looking).The dermatologist here suggested nothing and said to talk to my hair dresser about that. I have so appreciated the advice about the coconut oil.
Your statement that other people have their issues is true. I do know that. Many of their issues are ones I would not trade for. This though is my issue. There are wigs out there but if it is an autoimmune condition or something that can be corrected, I would like my own hair when I swim or walk in the wind. If something comes to mind that has to do with hair follicles not producing or anything that you think would be perhaps an answer to what might be going on, please send it my way.
Thank you. XXXXXXX
Your statement that other people have their issues is true. I do know that. Many of their issues are ones I would not trade for. This though is my issue. There are wigs out there but if it is an autoimmune condition or something that can be corrected, I would like my own hair when I swim or walk in the wind. If something comes to mind that has to do with hair follicles not producing or anything that you think would be perhaps an answer to what might be going on, please send it my way.
Thank you. XXXXXXX
Brief Answer:
If the situation worsens, you can still go for hair replacement.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for writing back. Sorry for not being able to respond earlier.
Your question had been posted on a public forum where any of the online doctors could answer and so I took that up. If you would like to reach Dr. XXXXXXX XXXXXXX Rauf, the following link will lead you directly to him:
http://doctor.healthcaremagic.com/doctors/dr-muhammad-ali-rauf/68804
If you wish, you can ask him directly.
I would like to draw your attention to measures like hair transplantation, hair weaving and hair replacement. They are effective, however they come with a price tag. You may discuss about those with your treating doctor.
In case you have any further query for me, feel free to write back and I would be happy to help you out.
Regards
If the situation worsens, you can still go for hair replacement.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for writing back. Sorry for not being able to respond earlier.
Your question had been posted on a public forum where any of the online doctors could answer and so I took that up. If you would like to reach Dr. XXXXXXX XXXXXXX Rauf, the following link will lead you directly to him:
http://doctor.healthcaremagic.com/doctors/dr-muhammad-ali-rauf/68804
If you wish, you can ask him directly.
I would like to draw your attention to measures like hair transplantation, hair weaving and hair replacement. They are effective, however they come with a price tag. You may discuss about those with your treating doctor.
In case you have any further query for me, feel free to write back and I would be happy to help you out.
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. Prasad
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