So I went to the dermatologist about my hair loss, and...

[so elektrikkxx]

he said there isn't any significant hair loss that he can see. he said hair loss in the shower is normal (I brought in the hair I lost last time I showered), and he thinks all my hair loss is due to when I wash my hair with my special prescription shampoo, it needs to be massaged into the scalp (which he thinks pulls it out).

I really do feel like I've been losing a lot of hair that hasn't come back, but two doctors (both of which are bald by the way, one is a dermatologist and the other the doctor i usually see) say they see not one sign of abnormal hair loss. But I have a follow up appointment with the dermatologist in three months to see if anything changed.

Should I trust what they say, or not, despite what I think is going on? I have OCD and mild Asperger's Syndrome, which my mother thinks is what causes me to notice my hair loss and obsess over it.

[so elektrikkxx]

In addition, I really do feel like my hair is a lot thinner than it used to be, but it doesn't really look any different than it used to and not one person who has lifted up my hair and looked, thinks there is much scalp visible (despite that I think there is).

[JamesG]

Well if you had more than one opinion than yes I would trust their medical advice.

As a note, losing your hair is not the end of the world. It's a natural biological process and it happens at different times, different ways, for different people.

i was just like you, I noticed my hair gradually becoming thin and by the time I was 20 most of my hair was gone. At the time I hated it and felt that the world was ending.

Then I came to accept and realized that this is how it has to be. I keep it shaved or a close stubble and some say that I actually look my best with the way that I look now.


You have to accept it and come to terms with it yourself. But I will tell you hair loss is not the end of the world.

[platinumblondelife]

You know what's normal for you. If a bunch of my hair was falling out I would trust my own judgment, no matter what my doctor said.

[so elektrikkxx]

Well if you had more than one opinion than yes I would trust their medical advice.

As a note, losing your hair is not the end of the world. It's a natural biological process and it happens at different times, different ways, for different people.

i was just like you, I noticed my hair gradually becoming thin and by the time I was 20 most of my hair was gone. At the time I hated it and felt that the world was ending.

Then I came to accept and realized that this is how it has to be. I keep it shaved or a close stubble and some say that I actually look my best with the way that I look now.


You have to accept it and come to terms with it yourself. But I will tell you hair loss is not the end of the world.

I mean, I know I am losing hair and I am sure I know the cause (seborrheic dermatitis and massaging the shampoo into my scalp which pulls out hair) but this has only been going on for a few months and I've lost a bit, and male pattern baldness is slowly progressing, and the doctors would have been able to see if that was my problem as both are bald themselves. for whatever its worth, id wear a wig. but i just disagree with their ideas that there is NO to little hair loss.

[Janice]

If you think your hair is falling out, then it is, but possibly not as severe as you may think. Over the last two years, I have seen at least 15 specialists, at the best hospitals in the world, regarding my medical conditions. The majority of them were idiots. I'm not kidding. Complete idiots. Lazy, guesswork galore, different opinions, etc. I know there are good doctors, but many people think doctors are God. When both of my parents were terminally ill seven years ago, I was astounded at how little doctors knew.

[Shine]

If you think that your doctor is missing something, than maybe seeking out a second opinion is a good idea.

[so elektrikkxx]

If you think that your doctor is missing something, than maybe seeking out a second opinion is a good idea.

This was the second opinion, and it was the same as the first one I received three months ago.

[Shine]

If you think your hair is falling out, then it is, but possibly not as severe as you may think. Over the last two years, I have seen at least 15 specialists, at the best hospitals in the world, regarding my medical conditions. The majority of them were idiots. I'm not kidding. Complete idiots. Lazy, guesswork galore, different opinions, etc. I know there are good doctors, but many people think doctors are God. When both of my parents were terminally ill seven years ago, I was astounded at how little doctors knew.

I know what you mean, Janice. My mom has been getting terrible headaches every couple of days since the late 70's. She has seen countless doctors who have all told her that they can't find anything wrong. Now if someone gets headaches three or four times a week and has been getting them for 30 years, something has to be wrong.

[so elektrikkxx]

If you think your hair is falling out, then it is, but possibly not as severe as you may think. Over the last two years, I have seen at least 15 specialists, at the best hospitals in the world, regarding my medical conditions. The majority of them were idiots. I'm not kidding. Complete idiots. Lazy, guesswork galore, different opinions, etc. I know there are good doctors, but many people think doctors are God. When both of my parents were terminally ill seven years ago, I was astounded at how little doctors knew.

The dermatologist said there are no signs of male pattern baldness, which is a relief. I'd think he'd be able to tell if there were, since he doesn't have hair himself, but I don't think there is no hair loss like he would have me believe.

[Shine]

This was the second opinion, and it was the same as the first one I received three months ago.

Maybe you should get a third opinion. :eek:

[Janice]

I know what you mean, Janice. My mom has been getting terrible headaches every couple of days since the late 70's. She has seen countless doctors who have all told her that they can't find anything wrong. Now if someone gets headaches three or four times a week and has been getting them for 30 years, something has to be wrong.
I'm sorry to hear that, Mike. Many doctors are simply lazy. They don't want to do the research and legwork needed to find out what's going on. Remember, the doctors are practicing medicine.

[so elektrikkxx]

Maybe you should get a third opinion. :eek:

I'm going back in three months to see if there is any change within that time.

It also doesn't help that not one person, doctor or not, sees any signs of a problem. Do you think it's reasonable to believe that the irritated skin on my scalp (mostly on the top and lower part of the back) is related to the hair loss? Because my hair loss is not in a predictable pattern.

[Shine]

I'm going back in three months to see if there is any change within that time.

It also doesn't help that not one person, doctor or not, sees any signs of a problem. Do you think it's reasonable to believe that the irritated skin on my scalp (mostly on the top and lower part of the back) is related to the hair loss? Because my hair loss is not in a predictable pattern.

I'm sot sure. I don't really know too much about the subject. I checked your user profile and saw that you are only 16. That is a pretty young age to lose your hair. My hair is thining but I'm 32.

[so elektrikkxx]

I doubt I have male pattern baldness but I think there is a reason for my problem and I don't think it should have been dismissed so easily.

[Courtnee]

I think you're overreacting. If it starts to come out in patches, then I'd be concerned about it, but people lose individual strands all the time. I lose A BUNCH.

[Janice]

I saw two dermatologists over the course of nine months, for a skin problem two years ago. Finally, they sent me to the Lahey Clinic, which is supposed to be the place to be for dermatology. This world-renowned dermatologist, prescribed two medicines. I started feeling sick the next day. I called him and told him. He told me to take some over-the-counter medicine, but to continue with the meds he prescribed. I suffered in pain, in bed for 12 days. I couldn't eat, sleep or practically walk. I thought I was going to die.

I ended up in the ER. I was severely dehydrated and a total mess. My primary care physician was pissed that the doctor prescribed those meds to me, together. I had to pay co-pays for the meds ($50), the ER ($100), and for the visits to see him and my doctor ($40). So, it ended up costing me $190 to suffer for two weeks, and he didn't cure my problem. Another doctor did. I don't trust doctors to save my life. Hospitals, forget it. More people die from staph infections, including my aunt.

[Pus$y Galore]

I'm going back in three months to see if there is any change within that time.

It also doesn't help that not one person, doctor or not, sees any signs of a problem. Do you think it's reasonable to believe that the irritated skin on my scalp (mostly on the top and lower part of the back) is related to the hair loss? Because my hair loss is not in a predictable pattern.


It sounds like it is. That's actually one of the most common reasons for hair loss. Also, they used to say you should brush your hair 100 strokes....blah blah - but no - that can actually make you lose more hair.

I've been losing more hair than usual (due to a number of reasons, but stress is one of them) and I've just backed off on brushing and even washing it (luckily I haven't been working so that helps). It has been saving it for sure.
I'll bet you're one that plays with your hair a lot too. Just sit back and relax for the next few months until your next appt. Afterall, there's not much else you can do. Just keep it healthy and conditioned.

[so elektrikkxx]

It sounds like it is. That's actually one of the most common reasons for hair loss. Also, they used to say you should brush your hair 100 strokes....blah blah - but no - that can actually make you lose more hair.

I've been losing more hair than usual (due to a number of reasons, but stress is one of them) and I've just backed off on brushing and even washing it (luckily I haven't been working so that helps). It has been saving it for sure.
I'll bet you're one that plays with your hair a lot too. Just sit back and relax for the next few months until your next appt. Afterall, there's not much else you can do. Just keep it healthy and conditioned.

I am sure my skin conditions, and the mixture of the job I did scratching them months ago plus more months of feeling through my hair and washing it with special shampoos is the cause. I do have another appointment so I'll see what happens. Also the stress caused by these rashes I have, and the hair loss that followed, probably contributed to MORE hair loss.