question-icon

I Seem To Have Some Sort Of Hair Infection That

default
Posted on Thu, 19 Mar 2020
Question: I seem to have some sort of hair infection that is driving me nuts. I first noticed symptoms in the spring of 2018, which seemed became dramatically apparent after taking a cycle of ivermectin for pinworms. It%E2%80%99s worse in the summer and has some improvement in the winter. My scalp has minimal itching, but I do feel small liner movements or circular motions that feel somewhat electric. When most active, I feel swelling under my scalp in liner/rope lumpy patter on the crown of my scalp that runs in multiple lines of swelling toward my forehead. I can feel the swellings and lumps with my fingers on my scalp and can see them in pictures. I also feel a sensation of a pimple popping or goosebumps on my scalp when exposed to heat or when I sweat. My most noticeable is filaments that fall from my hair and string-like items wrapped around my hair. Sometimes they fall to the ground or land on clothing but when they fall on my skin they cause an extreme reaction. It can feel like an electric shock, pinpoint prick or drop of fluid on my skin. It can puncture the skin, leave red marks and leave orange/brown dot that look like a freckle as the puncture wound as it begins to heal. I have developed a nerological reaction to the filaments on my upper thigh, which now produces a honeycomb rash when my skin is exposed to my own hair or items falling and landing on my thigh (happens when seated).They seem to have a tremendous amount of force as they fall and I have always wondered if there was a propulsion mechanism beyond gravity, but that%E2%80%99s beyond my knowledge level.

My scalp seems to have a white sticky biofilm layer that hides many of my hair and anomalies underneath. My hair seems to build a railroad pattern with some hairs running sideways on the scalp and other hairs that cross like ties. I have heard a metal sound click, which breaks the comb when using a small comb. I have tons of hair breakage about an inch from the scalp and loose tons of hair down to the root in the shower.

When looking at my scalp with the naked eye, nothing is immediately noticeable. However, when applying a black light there are string looking material tightly wrapped around some hairs are very visible as they light up neon blue. Nothing on the scalp lights up or is visible to me.

I suspect fungus and started Ketconizal shampoo and metrotindazole powder a few months ago with minimal improvement. Symptoms are reduced after showering and then seem to increase throughout the day. I currently blow dry my hair and then apply loose powder to the top of my scalp and apply to my face, in addition to the shampoo. In the last 6 months, I have tried multiple 14 day cycles of diflucan, which has had very very minimal differences. I was previously diagnosed with impetigo and took 30 days of zithromyison, which improved the irritated parts of scalp and redness but did nothing to reduce the symptoms. I have done two 14 day cycles of doxicillin and one three month cycle of mindociclyn with Rampaciline cycling 5 days on and 5 days off. This seemed to reduce the biofilm but did not stop the filaments from falling or other symptoms.

I have a history of a gastric bypass in 2011, and Babesia in 2018. Lyme disease was suspected but testing was unequivocal. I was in the Army and spent a significant amount of time in the dirt and in close quarters.

I am not sure exactly what this is, how to treat it or how to find a doctor familiar with these symptoms. I tried two dermatologists in the last few months and both were not familiar with hair diseases and did not have a wood lamp in the office. I was referred to UC XXXXXXX and the next appointment is 10 weeks away!

I took the attached photos with my iPhone and a dermoscope camera.

Any advice is appreciated!!
default
Follow up: Dr. Vasudha (0 minute later)
I seem to have some sort of hair infection that is driving me nuts. I first noticed symptoms in the spring of 2018, which seemed became dramatically apparent after taking a cycle of ivermectin for pinworms. It%E2%80%99s worse in the summer and has some improvement in the winter. My scalp has minimal itching, but I do feel small liner movements or circular motions that feel somewhat electric. When most active, I feel swelling under my scalp in liner/rope lumpy patter on the crown of my scalp that runs in multiple lines of swelling toward my forehead. I can feel the swellings and lumps with my fingers on my scalp and can see them in pictures. I also feel a sensation of a pimple popping or goosebumps on my scalp when exposed to heat or when I sweat. My most noticeable is filaments that fall from my hair and string-like items wrapped around my hair. Sometimes they fall to the ground or land on clothing but when they fall on my skin they cause an extreme reaction. It can feel like an electric shock, pinpoint prick or drop of fluid on my skin. It can puncture the skin, leave red marks and leave orange/brown dot that look like a freckle as the puncture wound as it begins to heal. I have developed a nerological reaction to the filaments on my upper thigh, which now produces a honeycomb rash when my skin is exposed to my own hair or items falling and landing on my thigh (happens when seated).They seem to have a tremendous amount of force as they fall and I have always wondered if there was a propulsion mechanism beyond gravity, but that%E2%80%99s beyond my knowledge level.

My scalp seems to have a white sticky biofilm layer that hides many of my hair and anomalies underneath. My hair seems to build a railroad pattern with some hairs running sideways on the scalp and other hairs that cross like ties. I have heard a metal sound click, which breaks the comb when using a small comb. I have tons of hair breakage about an inch from the scalp and loose tons of hair down to the root in the shower.

When looking at my scalp with the naked eye, nothing is immediately noticeable. However, when applying a black light there are string looking material tightly wrapped around some hairs are very visible as they light up neon blue. Nothing on the scalp lights up or is visible to me.

I suspect fungus and started Ketconizal shampoo and metrotindazole powder a few months ago with minimal improvement. Symptoms are reduced after showering and then seem to increase throughout the day. I currently blow dry my hair and then apply loose powder to the top of my scalp and apply to my face, in addition to the shampoo. In the last 6 months, I have tried multiple 14 day cycles of diflucan, which has had very very minimal differences. I was previously diagnosed with impetigo and took 30 days of zithromyison, which improved the irritated parts of scalp and redness but did nothing to reduce the symptoms. I have done two 14 day cycles of doxicillin and one three month cycle of mindociclyn with Rampaciline cycling 5 days on and 5 days off. This seemed to reduce the biofilm but did not stop the filaments from falling or other symptoms.

I have a history of a gastric bypass in 2011, and Babesia in 2018. Lyme disease was suspected but testing was unequivocal. I was in the Army and spent a significant amount of time in the dirt and in close quarters.

I am not sure exactly what this is, how to treat it or how to find a doctor familiar with these symptoms. I tried two dermatologists in the last few months and both were not familiar with hair diseases and did not have a wood lamp in the office. I was referred to UC XXXXXXX and the next appointment is 10 weeks away!

I took the attached photos with my iPhone and a dermoscope camera.

Any advice is appreciated!!
doctor
Answered by Dr. Vasudha (6 hours later)
Brief Answer:
It seems you have Trichomycosis dermatophyte infection.

Detailed Answer:
Hi Megadd,
Thanks for the query.I have read &understood your concern.
Intake of medicine for pin worms does not seem to be specifically responsible for out burst of the problem..
... Only possibility is depletion of vitamins causing weakness due to pinworm infestation, which in turn had helped the symptoms to occur, which were there unnoticed before.
Also worm infestation & the infection you have might spread in military life itself.
*The infection you have seems to be Trichomycosis dermatophyte.It is known to settle in scalp... invade hair body to grow there as filament &known to cause all the symptoms you have.
*The exact type of fungus needs to be recognised followed by a long course of antifungal medicine both orally &locally.You had been given many antibiotics &antifungal agents ...but probably not responded because-
- of being not suitable for the type of infection./
drug resistance of the fungi ...
-Local therapy not being followed very well.
*To combat this problem...
-culture &sensitivity test of scalp scrapping should be done.
- In view of detecting possible drop of resistance,....General cbc test , possible diabetes ,tuberculosis &tests for hiv infection ( as advised by examining expert)should be done ...& treated if found.
-I would suggest complete removal of scalp hairs so that cleanliness is better achieved & local medication reaches the site of fungal growths.
*In such a scenario, you should consult an expert dermatologist.
Please don't worry.Proper assessment of the infection stage & specific management would definitely help you out...a determined &confirmed management is the only need.
I hope you have got your answer.Any follow up query is welcome.
Thanks

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj
doctor
doctor
Answered by Dr. Vasudha (0 minute later)
Brief Answer:
It seems you have Trichomycosis dermatophyte infection.

Detailed Answer:
Hi Megadd,
Thanks for the query.I have read &understood your concern.
Intake of medicine for pin worms does not seem to be specifically responsible for out burst of the problem..
... Only possibility is depletion of vitamins causing weakness due to pinworm infestation, which in turn had helped the symptoms to occur, which were there unnoticed before.
Also worm infestation & the infection you have might spread in military life itself.
*The infection you have seems to be Trichomycosis dermatophyte.It is known to settle in scalp... invade hair body to grow there as filament &known to cause all the symptoms you have.
*The exact type of fungus needs to be recognised followed by a long course of antifungal medicine both orally &locally.You had been given many antibiotics &antifungal agents ...but probably not responded because-
- of being not suitable for the type of infection./
drug resistance of the fungi ...
-Local therapy not being followed very well.
*To combat this problem...
-culture &sensitivity test of scalp scrapping should be done.
- In view of detecting possible drop of resistance,....General cbc test , possible diabetes ,tuberculosis &tests for hiv infection ( as advised by examining expert)should be done ...& treated if found.
-I would suggest complete removal of scalp hairs so that cleanliness is better achieved & local medication reaches the site of fungal growths.
*In such a scenario, you should consult an expert dermatologist.
Please don't worry.Proper assessment of the infection stage & specific management would definitely help you out...a determined &confirmed management is the only need.
I hope you have got your answer.Any follow up query is welcome.
Thanks

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj
doctor
default
Follow up: Dr. Vasudha (37 hours later)
The end of the message must have got cut off. Why have I not responded to the meds already taken?
default
Follow up: Dr. Vasudha (0 minute later)
The end of the message must have got cut off. Why have I not responded to the meds already taken?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Vasudha (20 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Please read below for detailed answer.

Detailed Answer:
Hi Megbbad,
Thanks for the follow up query.
There are few possible causes for nonresponce to the previously taken treatment by you.
-Treatment taken might not be sufficiently long to irradiate the infection.
- The infecting fungus must be resistant to the drugs given...so were not affected by the drug.-Suitable drug can be selected after culture &sensitivity test of the scalp scrapings.
-Possibly local application of medicine was not advised...or even if it was, it did not act because hairs made the application difficult...That's why I had suggested removal of all the hairs followed by oral &local drug application
- Lessened resistance can hamper healing...so it needs to be determined by testing for conditions like uncontrolled diabetes/tuberculosis /HIV infection(as per the needful advise given by expert physician after through general physical check up )
I hope that helps.Any more information you want...please do ask for it.
Thanks




Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad
doctor
doctor
Answered by Dr. Vasudha (0 minute later)
Brief Answer:
Please read below for detailed answer.

Detailed Answer:
Hi Megbbad,
Thanks for the follow up query.
There are few possible causes for nonresponce to the previously taken treatment by you.
-Treatment taken might not be sufficiently long to irradiate the infection.
- The infecting fungus must be resistant to the drugs given...so were not affected by the drug.-Suitable drug can be selected after culture &sensitivity test of the scalp scrapings.
-Possibly local application of medicine was not advised...or even if it was, it did not act because hairs made the application difficult...That's why I had suggested removal of all the hairs followed by oral &local drug application
- Lessened resistance can hamper healing...so it needs to be determined by testing for conditions like uncontrolled diabetes/tuberculosis /HIV infection(as per the needful advise given by expert physician after through general physical check up )
I hope that helps.Any more information you want...please do ask for it.
Thanks



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
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Vasudha

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :1970

Answered : 10388 Questions

premium_optimized

The User accepted the expert's answer

Share on

Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties

159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM Blog Questions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction
I Seem To Have Some Sort Of Hair Infection That

I seem to have some sort of hair infection that is driving me nuts. I first noticed symptoms in the spring of 2018, which seemed became dramatically apparent after taking a cycle of ivermectin for pinworms. It%E2%80%99s worse in the summer and has some improvement in the winter. My scalp has minimal itching, but I do feel small liner movements or circular motions that feel somewhat electric. When most active, I feel swelling under my scalp in liner/rope lumpy patter on the crown of my scalp that runs in multiple lines of swelling toward my forehead. I can feel the swellings and lumps with my fingers on my scalp and can see them in pictures. I also feel a sensation of a pimple popping or goosebumps on my scalp when exposed to heat or when I sweat. My most noticeable is filaments that fall from my hair and string-like items wrapped around my hair. Sometimes they fall to the ground or land on clothing but when they fall on my skin they cause an extreme reaction. It can feel like an electric shock, pinpoint prick or drop of fluid on my skin. It can puncture the skin, leave red marks and leave orange/brown dot that look like a freckle as the puncture wound as it begins to heal. I have developed a nerological reaction to the filaments on my upper thigh, which now produces a honeycomb rash when my skin is exposed to my own hair or items falling and landing on my thigh (happens when seated).They seem to have a tremendous amount of force as they fall and I have always wondered if there was a propulsion mechanism beyond gravity, but that%E2%80%99s beyond my knowledge level. My scalp seems to have a white sticky biofilm layer that hides many of my hair and anomalies underneath. My hair seems to build a railroad pattern with some hairs running sideways on the scalp and other hairs that cross like ties. I have heard a metal sound click, which breaks the comb when using a small comb. I have tons of hair breakage about an inch from the scalp and loose tons of hair down to the root in the shower. When looking at my scalp with the naked eye, nothing is immediately noticeable. However, when applying a black light there are string looking material tightly wrapped around some hairs are very visible as they light up neon blue. Nothing on the scalp lights up or is visible to me. I suspect fungus and started Ketconizal shampoo and metrotindazole powder a few months ago with minimal improvement. Symptoms are reduced after showering and then seem to increase throughout the day. I currently blow dry my hair and then apply loose powder to the top of my scalp and apply to my face, in addition to the shampoo. In the last 6 months, I have tried multiple 14 day cycles of diflucan, which has had very very minimal differences. I was previously diagnosed with impetigo and took 30 days of zithromyison, which improved the irritated parts of scalp and redness but did nothing to reduce the symptoms. I have done two 14 day cycles of doxicillin and one three month cycle of mindociclyn with Rampaciline cycling 5 days on and 5 days off. This seemed to reduce the biofilm but did not stop the filaments from falling or other symptoms. I have a history of a gastric bypass in 2011, and Babesia in 2018. Lyme disease was suspected but testing was unequivocal. I was in the Army and spent a significant amount of time in the dirt and in close quarters. I am not sure exactly what this is, how to treat it or how to find a doctor familiar with these symptoms. I tried two dermatologists in the last few months and both were not familiar with hair diseases and did not have a wood lamp in the office. I was referred to UC XXXXXXX and the next appointment is 10 weeks away! I took the attached photos with my iPhone and a dermoscope camera. Any advice is appreciated!!