My GP called me 'hysterical' over this

[youcanonlydraftthefuture]

I've been to my GP three times over the course of about 6 weeks.

What's happening is I'm getting these sores in my head (I stumble upon them when I'm doing my hair etc), but they're making me lose my hair.

It started off as a few small patches and now I have loads all over my head. The biggest area of baldness is about the size of a £2 coin.

The first time GP said eczema (I've never had that in my life, always had very soft skin etc). He gave me a cream. I returned two weeks later as I was losing more and more hair. He tried another cream in a huff and said I need to wait 6/8 weeks for it to work.

I went back today quite upset as I'm losing more and more patches and he told me "You are being hysterical. It's just eczema. And there's nothing you can do to treat hair loss anyway so it is what it is".

I couldn't quite believe what I was hearing. This is a GP who was brilliant at getting my DH sorted for an emergency hospital appointment that he needed.

I was not 'hysterical', just feeling upset and explained as much.

I'm really started to feel a bit depressed about it. I'm losing hair and if feels like it isn't being taken seriously

AIBU to say I'm not hysterical?

Have you asked for a referral to a dermatologist ?

That sounds awful OP. I can fully sympathise as when I went to my own (male) GP with hair loss he basically said that it's not that bad being bald and he doesn't mind it himself. Spectacularly missing the point. Can you ask for a referral to a dermatologist? I did that and they were more interested in hair loss as it is part of their specialty (still haven't really got an answer as to why though).

Yikes. Ringworm?

YANBU about the GP.

YANBU. Horrible misogynist language and the last thing you need on top of an already stressful situation.

That looks like something I’ve had with stress but smaller and no hair loss.

Can you see a different GP? Hope you get answers soon

We weren't there so don't know if you were hysterical or not. His interpretation was you were, yours is you were not.

As the pp said have you seen a dermatologist? And what sort of products are you using on your head?

Try Neutrogena T Gel. I had something similar to this several years ago and switching to that genuinely did clear it up within a few weeks. It might not work for you, but I think it's definitely worth a try.

Ahh did he not tell you the cream can cause you to lose your hair?

See a different gp for a second opinion? They might be able to refer you. Did you wait thr 6-8 weeks to see if the cream would work? Sorry- it’s not clear in your op.

See a dermatologist, my DH got fobbed off with eczema, rosacea etc and it turns out he has lupus. It causes lesions similar in his scalp.

I can't comment on whether you were hysterical about it or not but it is of course something that would be upsetting. On the other hand, it does look like eczema and there is only so much you can do for it. Bar being a bit kinder, is there something else you think he should have tried.

I do sympathise. My scalp looks like that when I'm really stressed. It's horrible.

I wonder if he'd ever refer to a man as hysterical?

I'd ask for a,second opinion.

That’s tinea capitis , it’s a fungal infection and you need to take an antifungal medication for it to go.
Can you see another GP?

Thank you for the responses x

I forgot to add that he refused to refer me on to dermatology as his background is dermatology and I'd likely see him up there at the hospital (he works there a few days a week).

I will see another GP. I was just worried I'd look 'rude' visiting someone else and he might find out

Is there another GP at the practice you can see? Looks sore, op

YANBU

You are definately not being hysterical. The cream didn't work so you went back. The second treatment did not work and so you went back. This is very normal behaviour.

What you seem to have been met with is a Doctor who is not looking at all from your point of view.

It is very distressing to lose hair and so any emotions connected to it are very understandable. It may be that you need to start looking for a specialist to help you.

(I had a similar but different situation and I cottoned on quick that the Doctor was not going to help me so I had to take control of investigating my condition myself - which included going to private doctors and hollistic specialists. I also went vegan for a period of time)..

Don’t worry about looking rude - he clearly doesn’t care about being rude to you! You’re entitled to a second opinion, and if you’re referred to dermatology you can state that you don’t want to see him too!

Ive had patches like that and once I found a treatment that worked hair grew back.

YANBU or hysterical. I would go to a different doctor if possible or as PPs have suggested try to find a dermatologist. Have you changed any haircare products/shampoos, washing detergents recently which might have irritated your scalp?

Misogynist pig! He would never tell a man he was hysterical. Definitely get a 2nd opinion and make sure he does find out!

What a sexist arsehole. I would complain, that is a disgusting comment that I doubt he would use for a man. And see a different GP. Unfortunately many doctors are arrogant and dismissive sadly - you need to find ones that treat you as an equal and stick with them. Don't go back to one that talks to you like that - you need to be your own advocate. You are just seeing them for an opinion. If you don't like them or their opinion see someone else.

Awful to talk to you like that. especially when you are already understandably distressed. And I agree he should have referred you to dermatology. See a different GP and insist on a referral.

Looks just like ringworm. What's the cream he gave you? He should've explained properly and not insulted you by using the term hysterical which imo is worth putting a complaint in about.

Sorry your GP spoke to you like that :( I get eczema in my scalp quite badly every now and again and it does look like that though my hair is so super thick and curley so I wouldn't know if I had hair loss really. It certainly falls out but theres so much anyway that I couldnt tell. My Gp dismissed it and even when it bled down my head just gave me Fucidin H cream, which was pointless. I only started getting it at 26- never had a problem before and only my scalp but I use the tar shampoos as the dermatologist told me to and they clear it up far better than the GP stuff. When its super bad I have a topical steriod cream but it is very string and colours my skin so it's only for extreme flare ups. Try asking to be referred. It took months for an appointment to come through and it was 6 months away so I went to see a dermatologist in France instead and just paid her (I was on holiday when it started bleeding badly and I couldn't bear it any longer). If you haven't already try the Aveeno severe eczema shampoo or the car ones. They smell gross but are damn strong! Keep nagging the GP though. Good luck.

*tar!

That looks like my Mum's Psoriasis. She was given a tablet and special shampoo.

Definitely get a second opinion.

See another GP - preferably female if they have one.