- hair loss

January 30, 2006

snip> am still losing a ton of hair. My hairline in the front is receeding

> and my scalp is very red and itchy. Does anyone know of any home

> remedies or shampoos that might help? I have been to 2 dermatologists

> and they thought that it was related to thyroid until they did a blood

> test. Then they thought it was something like lichen planopilaris?!?

> I am desperate and not sure what to do next. Any input would be

> appreciated.

about lichen planopilaris, but sounds like that's more of a patchy hairloss

than a recession as you're describing. I would imagine it's definitely

diagnosible by skin scraping. You may have more than one thing going on.

There are other reasons - besides thyroid conditions - that cause hairloss.

One major one is anaemia, so do get your bloodwork checked (iron AND iron

stores).

Another is shock to the system, i.e., a death in the family, giving birth, a

serious accident or something major that your body has to cope with

systematically (mentally, physically, etc.). It doesn't happen at the time

of the shock, but about three months afterwards, so think backwards from

when you started losing your hair. You've heard of people going grey

overnight? Well it's a similar reaction to that.

Exactly three months after the births of all of my three children I had

major hairloss, going very thin around the front hairline. In my case this

was a combination of anaemia throughout the pregnancy and the shock of

giving birth. It all grew back. Now I only lose hair when I'm going hypo

(have Hashi's).

Perhaps you could consult a highly-regarded natural therapist to see what

they can offer you, especially as the docs don't seem to be doing anything

to help. The only soothing and " do no harm " thing I can think of is the old

stand-by for itchy skin, oatmeal wash - tie the oatmeal in a cloth bag, soak

in warm water til the water is milky-looking, and then soak your head in it.

Donna in Oz.

Recommended Posts