Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
Suggest Treatment For Severe Hair Loss
Question: I was having very good density of hair until I went to XXXXXXX I don't know what happened there(may be the water did not suit me) but I started to have massive hair fall. In 9 months the density reduced to 50-60%. My scalp gets really unclean and feels as if a layer of dirt has formed. I always feel a tickling or itching effect and when I use my fingers to scratch(very lightly) the hair from that area falls in my hands. What is this and is there any cure for this as I am continuously loosing hair severely. I am taking finast- 1mg and using grocapix for the last 15 days(the hairfall seems to have increased even more after this).
Brief Answer:
Maybe be dandruff
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for your query.
It seems that stress (associated with relocation) and dietary changes started it and medicines are making it worse. It may just be dandruff but can also be seborhea or even psoriasis and hair fall is a result of it. But until the diagnosis is confirmed, it is better to refrain from any medicine use.
Firstly I need to know if there is any specific pattern of hair fall. If it is falling from a particular area like forehead or center of head or is it diffuse. A photo of affected part will be helpful. Do you have any other symptoms or lesions on any other parts of body? Do you have any medical conditions like diabetes etc?
Treatment may be prolonged and sometimes ineffective. Lost hair may or maynot grow back depending on the cause. Thus I suggest that first you try some lifestyle measures to prevent hairloss as follows:
- Take lots of fruits and salad
- Take home-cooked food and cleaner drinking water from an RO system
- Take biotin supplements (its a vitamin) once a day.
- Avoid any medicated shampoos or oils on scalp.
- Avoid scratching or washing hair. Washing hair maybe limited to once a week.
- Get tested for basic blood tests
With lifestyle it takes almost 1 month to reverse hairfall.
Dr Vaishalee
Maybe be dandruff
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for your query.
It seems that stress (associated with relocation) and dietary changes started it and medicines are making it worse. It may just be dandruff but can also be seborhea or even psoriasis and hair fall is a result of it. But until the diagnosis is confirmed, it is better to refrain from any medicine use.
Firstly I need to know if there is any specific pattern of hair fall. If it is falling from a particular area like forehead or center of head or is it diffuse. A photo of affected part will be helpful. Do you have any other symptoms or lesions on any other parts of body? Do you have any medical conditions like diabetes etc?
Treatment may be prolonged and sometimes ineffective. Lost hair may or maynot grow back depending on the cause. Thus I suggest that first you try some lifestyle measures to prevent hairloss as follows:
- Take lots of fruits and salad
- Take home-cooked food and cleaner drinking water from an RO system
- Take biotin supplements (its a vitamin) once a day.
- Avoid any medicated shampoos or oils on scalp.
- Avoid scratching or washing hair. Washing hair maybe limited to once a week.
- Get tested for basic blood tests
With lifestyle it takes almost 1 month to reverse hairfall.
Dr Vaishalee
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
The hairfall is not specific to any particular area. I am loosing hair from all over my head. I have acne on my back and shoulders(could it be related). Is there any test available for scalp which may diagnose its condition ? As a child I suffered from rheumatoid arthritis. Could there be any relation with the hairfall(auto immune disorder as I have read). Should I stop taking Finast and grocapix ? The biotin supplements you mentioned, can you give me a name ? I have used sebawash for a week. What are the treatments for seborhea or psoriasis ? The doctor I consulted said that my scalp is fine. Moreover there are no visible patches or signs of infection. Please guide as I am really scared for my hairs.
Brief Answer:
Diagnosis is mostly clinical and not laboratory
Detailed Answer:
Hi again
The diagnosis of type of alopecia is done by dermatologist based on clinical findings. At most blood tests to check for iron deficiency and other nutritional deficiency, hormone imbalance is done. At most (and rarely) excisional skin biopsy may be done to confirm.
In the past history of rheumatoid arthritis, chance of diffuse alopecia areata is high. Good part of this diagnosis is that it is reversible. Hair grow back. There are many treatments available that may be effective to some extent. Since it is not hormonal finast wont be helpful. Minoxidil topically has also given mixed results. Intralesional corticosteroids can also be helpful.
Grocapix is a peptide with limited studies to back its efficacy.
Biotin in the dose of 5 or 10 mg is usually prescribed. Many brands are available in the dose of 10mg only like tab biotin forte, bionid forte, BTN forte, etc. Follihair is a combination of vitamins and also contains biotin in the dose of 10 mg but also has other vitamins. Thus this one is more appropriate in nutritional deficiencies.
Since your scalp is clean, seborhea and psoriasis is not a possibility. So treatment for these is similar but is not needed. Avoid sebawash as well. Unnecessary treatment may worsen hairfall.
Dont be worried. Please try the above mentioned lifestyle changes and also see a dermatologist.
Dr Vaishalee
Diagnosis is mostly clinical and not laboratory
Detailed Answer:
Hi again
The diagnosis of type of alopecia is done by dermatologist based on clinical findings. At most blood tests to check for iron deficiency and other nutritional deficiency, hormone imbalance is done. At most (and rarely) excisional skin biopsy may be done to confirm.
In the past history of rheumatoid arthritis, chance of diffuse alopecia areata is high. Good part of this diagnosis is that it is reversible. Hair grow back. There are many treatments available that may be effective to some extent. Since it is not hormonal finast wont be helpful. Minoxidil topically has also given mixed results. Intralesional corticosteroids can also be helpful.
Grocapix is a peptide with limited studies to back its efficacy.
Biotin in the dose of 5 or 10 mg is usually prescribed. Many brands are available in the dose of 10mg only like tab biotin forte, bionid forte, BTN forte, etc. Follihair is a combination of vitamins and also contains biotin in the dose of 10 mg but also has other vitamins. Thus this one is more appropriate in nutritional deficiencies.
Since your scalp is clean, seborhea and psoriasis is not a possibility. So treatment for these is similar but is not needed. Avoid sebawash as well. Unnecessary treatment may worsen hairfall.
Dont be worried. Please try the above mentioned lifestyle changes and also see a dermatologist.
Dr Vaishalee
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
Thanx a lot for your time. Just one last question. What about the dirt layer that forms on my scalp and the itching. Is it a condition of Seborrheic Dermatitis ? If it is, then what is the treatment for this? I have also heard about Keraglow. Is follihair better or Keraglow ? Are the treatments for diffuse alopecia areata safe ?
Brief Answer:
Dirt is starting point of dandruff
Detailed Answer:
Dirt and itching is starting of dandruff. Seems to be mallasezia + dead skin...just excess of it. This is just normal process but in excess. I doubt if it will cure.
When dandruff really gets in excess, it becomes seborhea. To avoid dandruff becoming seborhea, lifestyle measures are best.
Follihair is better than keraglow. Keraglow has some herbal supplements and extracts which can have side effects.
Treatments for diffuse alopecia areata include treatments for other forms of alopecia. These treatments may or may not be effective. Yes all treatments can have side effects. Topical treatments (that are to be applied) are much safer than tablets and injections.
Hope it helps.
Dr Vaishalee
Dirt is starting point of dandruff
Detailed Answer:
Dirt and itching is starting of dandruff. Seems to be mallasezia + dead skin...just excess of it. This is just normal process but in excess. I doubt if it will cure.
When dandruff really gets in excess, it becomes seborhea. To avoid dandruff becoming seborhea, lifestyle measures are best.
Follihair is better than keraglow. Keraglow has some herbal supplements and extracts which can have side effects.
Treatments for diffuse alopecia areata include treatments for other forms of alopecia. These treatments may or may not be effective. Yes all treatments can have side effects. Topical treatments (that are to be applied) are much safer than tablets and injections.
Hope it helps.
Dr Vaishalee
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. Vaishalee Punj
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
