I've Got A Bald Spot

[Nonie]

Glad you're getting this under control and that it wasn't scarring alopecia as you dreaded.

OT, hi VickiD! So nice to "see" you! (BTW folks, if anyone knows just about everything about regrowing lost hair, it's our very own VickiD. )

 

[shaydufblu]

Beware--Clobetasol is really good but it can cause scalp thinning. Don't overuse it AND wear a hat if you go out in the sun as your scalp can very easily get burned. Glad to hear you don't have alopecia!

Thanks! Yeah, when I started looking online for info on Clobetasol last night, I was like she didn't tell me about all of this (side effects/warnings -- but what DR does?erplexed ). I have to call her back and get clarification on how she wants me to use it, b/c I seem to recall her saying use it 2x/day and after reading about it, I'm like "NOT ON YOUR LIFE!" So I'm not going to start using it until I can call and get clarification tomorrow or Friday.

 

[EMJazzy]

I'm happy to hear that you got a diagnosis. I pray that the stuff she prescribed will work for you.

 

[CurlyGirly327]

The hard truth is that the thinning, balding, and scarring that you ladies are seeing is likely the direct result of years of improper braiding and relaxer use. A board-certified dermatologist named Dr. Jeanine Downie (she's in Essence mag all the time) wrote a book called "Beautiful Skin of Color" in which she explains the dramatic increase in "unexplained" balding and scarring of the scalp in Black women, which she blames on relaxers and too-tight braids. Dr. Downie wears her hair relaxed herself, so she's not a natural hair lover trying to bash relaxers. She is a health professional who is very concerned with the damage that improper use of relaxers and braids is causing. She explains that she can give a patient all kinds of special shampoos and treatments, but most of the time she tells her patients to give their hair and scalp a rest by stopping relaxing, braiding or twisting VERY loosely, and treating the scalp gently.

For the OP, I think giving your hair and scalp a rest and using some natural, gentle remedies could help your scalp to heal and your hair to grow back strong and healthy. And try checking Dr. Downie's book out of the library!

HTH!

 

[spiceykitten]

UPDATE
OK, so here's the update:

Went back to the DR. today. Diagonosis is that it's not scarring alopecia!

Yay!!!!!!!!!!!

Tests results came back and said that it looks like seborrheic dermatitis (dandruff) or folliculitis(ewwww). erplexed The DR. gave me some shampoo to use (Loprox) and a topical medication (Clobetasol - a corticosteriod) to reduce itching. There are running blood tests to make sure it's not related to liver, kidney, thyroid, etc. I'm just so happy I can keep my hair I don't mind doing all this other stuff. She is so quick, in and out, that I didn't get to ask her abt. using BT but I plan to once I call her on Friday.

Thoughts about the dandruff:
I have always had dandruff issues, not so much here lately though, so I completely stopped trying to treat it. Guess it was still there, huh.

Thoughts abt. folliculitis:
I gotta go find that thread abt it.

I will keep you guys posted, but if you have any advise it is surely welcome! Thanks for all of your support guys! It really meant a lot to me.

I have issues with folliculitus and dermatitis. It is one of the major reasons I stopped relaxing. My hair would grow long than fall out in patches in certain places. I cannot tell you what to do and I am no natural guru. I can appreciate a woman with relaxed or natural hair. However, not every one can take relaxers. You may want to consider stop relaxing. I know that you may not want to hear that but my hair and scalp thanks me everyday for going natural. I would never consider a relaxer again, even on my worst hair day! I mean why mess with perfection because my hair was no mistake but God's blessing for me.

Ps. May I also suggest you stop using any grease or mineral based products. If I use a mineral based product it must be something I can wash out, like conditioner. My hair is also best if I use nothing on it after I wash and condition. I mean nothing. I cut out leave in conditioners, oils etc. I only use oils for a preproo. My scalp loves being clean and less hair comes out this way and I have a lot of hair so hair comes out anyway but with my scalp being clean there is less. I try to condition wash or wash my hair every other day or every day during hot days.

 

[Blu217]

Congrats to you getting an "all clear" type of diagnosis!

To the person who said the alopecia women are experiencing is due to improper styling and relaxer use: In my case, I saw only professionals for my chemical processes and rarely experienced burns or saw my stylists use bad techniques. I also never went bone straight, did not relax excessively and have never, ever worn tight hairstyles, braids or weaves. I believe the hard and fast truth about alopecias and balding is that you just never know. Based on my experience and how particular and gentle I've always been with my hair, I'd say that every woman who relaxes her hair takes this risk, because no relaxer is a safe relaxer. And you don't know until you know, which is always too late.

 

[caribeandiva]

I hope you find a cure for it really soon. I feel bad that this is happening to you.

 

[shaydufblu]

Congrats to you getting an "all clear" type of diagnosis!

To the person who said the alopecia women are experiencing is due to improper styling and relaxer use: In my case, I saw only professionals for my chemical processes and rarely experienced burns or saw my stylists use bad techniques. I also never went bone straight, did not relax excessively and have never, ever worn tight hairstyles, braids or weaves. I believe the hard and fast truth about alopecias and balding is that you just never know. Based on my experience and how particular and gentle I've always been with my hair, I'd say that every woman who relaxes her hair takes this risk, because no relaxer is a safe relaxer. And you don't know until you know, which is always too late.

ITA will all of the above. Background: I was natural for almost 3 years until I decided to texlax last summer. During that time I probably had braids a total of 2 times, and yes, they were bad experiences (too tight/lack of care) but I never noticed any kind of thinning in the top of my head like this. Now edges, that's another story, but they're filling in....

I don't do my own relaxers, always have a professional do them, and they always understand how I want my hair handled and they always do what I ask. Before I went natural my hair had been relaxed since I was about 9? and I never had this type of problem. I'm definitely not against natural hair, I just didn't like handling mine when it got longer and I like it now -- for right now. Now, if it comes down to either my health or my hair, health wins hands-down. But I'm not ready to make presumptuous correlations regarding the situation just yet...(I'm very happy w/my hair right now outside of this issue.)

I just don't wanna be bald (if I don't have to)!

Typically what I do to my hair is wash (on wash days), condition, apply a leave in (Cantu Shea Butter) and then some oil (Lotion Motion #9). Let it air dry, then do bantu knots or rollerset if I want curls. I actually believe my scalp may need oil, b/c once I put some on it last night, it stopped itching.

I'm going to call the DR tomorrow to find out about the bloodwork (and ask more questions abt the Clobetasol), so I'll let you guys know what happens!

 

[CurlyGirly327]

Congrats to you getting an "all clear" type of diagnosis!

To the person who said the alopecia women are experiencing is due to improper styling and relaxer use: In my case, I saw only professionals for my chemical processes and rarely experienced burns or saw my stylists use bad techniques. I also never went bone straight, did not relax excessively and have never, ever worn tight hairstyles, braids or weaves. I believe the hard and fast truth about alopecias and balding is that you just never know. Based on my experience and how particular and gentle I've always been with my hair, I'd say that every woman who relaxes her hair takes this risk, because no relaxer is a safe relaxer. And you don't know until you know, which is always too late.

Blu, you are too right. It's scary to think that applying relaxers is essentially playing Russian roulette with your hair and scalp every time you do a touch-up. You really DON'T know which time is going to leave you with all your hair in the sink, or severe chemical burns all over your head... For me, after seeing pictures of women on other hair boards to whom these things happened, I couldn't work up the nerve to start relaxing again, although I REALLY want the styling versatility!

 

[shaydufblu]

OK THE FINAL INSTALLATION IN THE "I'VE GOT A BALD SPOT SAGA".....I HOPE!

So I called the DR on Fri morning and they said the results weren't in yet, call back today. Well since I had to go back today to get the stitches they missed taken out , she told me that my blood work is fine, EXCEPT

and get this

my iron is low! Now why iron got to be playing with my emotions? Actually, she said my Ferritin levels are low (like, 26erplexed ) which indicates my iron is low. Thing is, I already knew this from other DRs as well. I thought taking my multi every day was doing something but she was like, no, you need additional. So I'm back on those stinkin iron pills (turns out, I'm only getting like 9mg from my multi; you can safely take up to 45 if you're not eating iron-rich foods and unfortunately, i'm not). Yet another flag that I need to change my diet, so I am going to work on incorporating healthy foods so my body can heal itself.

I asked about the Clobetasol. Even though the medication itself says only use after you shampoo on a clean scalp, the DR insists its ok to use 2x/day for 2 weeks straight. Sheee....not me! I was like, if you say so....but if my head starts back itching really bad I might try like 2x/week.

I just wanted to say thanks to all who have responded, b/c I know I don't post a lot, esp. in the hair forum. I'm more of a 'watch what everyone else is doing' type of person (plus I'm in grad school and that plus work doesn't leave me much time - some ppl have extra time, right now I just don't). But you all still supported me and I won't forget that.

 

[Blu217]

Iron is a huge culprit behind hair loss. You've got a definitive answer and it's something you can easily correct--that's great, Shaydufblu! Just remember that any follicles that haven't been producing hair for a period of time may start to atropy, which may be why your doc suggested using the product so much. I'd at least try it once a day or once every other day, but I understand the dilemma there.

 

[ajoyfuljoy]

I'm sorry that is happening to you but I hope you're able to get it diagnosed and a treatment laid out pretty soon. Hopefully it's just a temporary thing.

 

[vickid]

OK THE FINAL INSTALLATION IN THE "I'VE GOT A BALD SPOT SAGA".....I HOPE!

So I called the DR on Fri morning and they said the results weren't in yet, call back today. Well since I had to go back today to get the stitches they missed taken out , she told me that my blood work is fine, EXCEPT

and get this

my iron is low! Now why iron got to be playing with my emotions? Actually, she said my Ferritin levels are low (like, 26erplexed ) which indicates my iron is low. Thing is, I already knew this from other DRs as well. I thought taking my multi every day was doing something but she was like, no, you need additional. So I'm back on those stinkin iron pills (turns out, I'm only getting like 9mg from my multi; you can safely take up to 45 if you're not eating iron-rich foods and unfortunately, i'm not). Yet another flag that I need to change my diet, so I am going to work on incorporating healthy foods so my body can heal itself.

I asked about the Clobetasol. Even though the medication itself says only use after you shampoo on a clean scalp, the DR insists its ok to use 2x/day for 2 weeks straight. Sheee....not me! I was like, if you say so....but if my head starts back itching really bad I might try like 2x/week.

I just wanted to say thanks to all who have responded, b/c I know I don't post a lot, esp. in the hair forum. I'm more of a 'watch what everyone else is doing' type of person (plus I'm in grad school and that plus work doesn't leave me much time - some ppl have extra time, right now I just don't). But you all still supported me and I won't forget that.

If you find that Clobetasol makes you itchy, try tea tree oil. It dosen't work in the same way that Clobetasol does but it will reduce irritation and kill any bacteria on your scalp. The only side effect of tea tree oil is the stink! As far as the iron goes, my derm told me to take Costco B-50 every day plus 6 tablets of Brewer's yeast daily. Good luck!

 

[Serenity_Peace]

The trifecta of scalp problem relievers are: tea tree, emu oil, and rosemary.

If I'm not mistaken, you can combine all three of these. Purchase the emu and rosemary oils from From Nature With Love or Oils by Nature. Then, go to your nearest CVS or drugstore and purchase the tea tree oil.

Apply to scalp and massage daily.

Also, if you haven't already, go see a dermatologist and get a diagnosis...

I do hope this works for you. It always breaks my heart when I hear of stories like this.

 

[shaydufblu]

Iron is a huge culprit behind hair loss. You've got a definitive answer and it's something you can easily correct--that's great, Shaydufblu! Just remember that any follicles that haven't been producing hair for a period of time may start to atropy, which may be why your doc suggested using the product so much. I'd at least try it once a day or once every other day, but I understand the dilemma there.

Now I didn't think about that. Guess I will start doing it once a day for two weeks to see how it goes (gotta mark my calendar, there's no way I'll remember when 2 weeks is up!)