Hello,
Taper the
Methamphetamine dose everyday. Get connected to a detox center that will help you come out of meth addiction successfully. It will help you participate in groups so that you will not feel lonely. Make necessary lifestyle changes. You are advised to cut hair quite short so that you can take care of your scalp. You can also remove all hair so that scalp can be kept clean and heal faster.
Toxins in meth cause a decrease in blood supply to the scalp and hair follicles thus making the scalp prone to infection. Other cause that can cause hair loss are
vitamin deficiency and hereditary factors. Meth also causes higher level of
stress hormone cortisol in meth users, thus affecting the scalp blood supply and hair loss.
Meth interferes with certain vital
vitamins and minerals that are essential for healthy hair growth, such as iron and zinc, thus causing
alopecia areata, patchy baldness. Take healthy nutritious food rich in minerals, vitamin and high in protein. Do not miss meals, take adequate food, water and fluids.
Clean your hair and scalp with Selsun shampoo to get rid of dandruff. Keep the scalp dry and clean. Apply clotrimazole cream on the area affected to get rid of
fungal infection. You can take a short course (5 days) of antibiotic orally like augmentin to get rid of scalp infection. Switching to healthy diet, healthy lifestyle will help to get rid of the symptoms. Alopecia due to meth use is reversible with low-level
laser therapy.
Take care. Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Nupur K, General & Family Physician