Posted by Gary, on August 10th, 2007, under TRICHOTALK by Gary Heron Trichologist
Question: I have a very itchy scalp. The itch is especially at the back of the head around the neck and just above the front of my hairline.When I get hot through sport it is very itchy all over the scalp. My scalps is very scaly all over. What is it? Have I caught something? I have tried different shampoos but nothing seems to help. What can I do?
Answer: Relax it doesn’t sound like head lice. You are describing seborrheic dermatitis this causes just the symptoms that you describe, flaky skin all over the scalp, affecting the nape of the neck, behind the ears and around the front hairline. It is a type of ezcema and coal-tar based shampoos are usually recommended, although these can be very drying to your hair. Shampoos containing tea-tree oil are a useful alternative but try and avoid those with strong colourings as these can just make the problem worse. Seborrheic dermatitis is also linked to skin problems such as you describe affecting your face.
Posted by Gary, on August 10th, 2007, under PHOTO FILES (from our London Trichology Clinic), TRICHOTALK by Gary Heron Trichologist
Question: I have 3 patches on my head that are circles, they have just appeared this week. Is this alopecia areata?
Answer: In all probability the answer is YES. But to make sure one hundred percent you should speak directly or if possible see one of our trichologists to confirm the diagnosis.
Alopecia Areata is an extremely common condition and will affect 1% to 2% of the population at some point in their lives. Most sufferers are children and young adults (below 40 years old), though it can affect people of all ages. The hair loss is sudden and manifests itself in small, smooth-skinned patches that are likely to gradually widen with time. It can also affect the sufferer’s nails, giving them a pitted, ridged or brittle appearance. The exact cause is still unknown, although current theories include an auto-immune disease, stress or suggest a genetic basis.
Posted by Gary, on August 9th, 2007, under PHOTO FILES (from our London Trichology Clinic), TRICHOTALK by Gary Heron Trichologist
Question: Is there a normal amount of hair loss due to MPB or is it completely unpredictable? I am in my late 20s and would like to monitor my front hairline and calculate how bad it will get and whether I feel that I need to do something about it now before it is too late. I have been using Propecia for 6 months as directed, but I am shedding hair so fast I am afraid that I will be very bald before it stabilises. What can I do?
Answer: Hair loss prediction is difficult. The best thing to do is to have a look at your family history on both sides, look at the various forms of balding there and try to identify one person that matches the timing and pattern of your hair loss. Generally speaking, those people who will become very bald, show their thinning or balding pattern well before the age of 30. You are in the group where anything is possible, so look to your family patterns.
As far as Propecia is concerned it starts to become effective after about 9 months if it is going to work in your particular case.
Please note the side effects as there are alternatives such as Biostim available through your trichologist.
If the Propecia is not working for you seek advice from one of our trichologists, as there are always better combinations of treatments available, as combination theraphy is the most successful todate.
Hear are a few examples of some of the results we achieve:
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