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?

Keep going back to the surgery, see every GP and nurse practitioner there until you get a result if you have to.
Hysterical... he was hysterically shoving you out the door by the sounds of it!
Did he take a swab to send off? I don't think it looks like eczema or ring worm but I'm not an expert.
Other than baldness, what other symptoms have you got - does it itch? Is it painful?
Are you more tired than normal? Etc
And did he ask any of these questions?

Definitely see someone else and do complain formally. There is no place for such misogynist language in 2019.

No treatment for hair loss? In 2019? What ridiculous nonsense.

I would get a second opinion OP I have eczema and get sores on my scalp but it doesn’t cause any hair loss to the extent you’re suffering

Hope you get it sorted!

Please see someone else, you are not being hysterical at all! And when you are cured please go back and give him some 'feedback'!

Yep he is being sexist.
But also not very good at his job if his speciality is dermatology and he can’t solve the issue

Second opinion needed (and insist again on a referral on the ground treatments havent worked)

Its ringworm. Not actually a worm, its a fungus (the same fungus that causes Athletes Foot). You need an anti-fungal shampoo and some oral medication. Go and see a different GP.

I wouldn't bother with another GP, go to a dermatologist.

I doubt they would say a man was being hysterical, would they. Have you spoken to a pharmacist? I have found them to be more helpful sometimes with skin complaints, or I would see another GP.

I had scalp psoriasis that looked like that when it was inflamed or I'd pulled the the scales off by brushing and combing my hair.

I was treated with a short course betnovate liquid when it was really bad. The best thing used to be Polytar shampoo but I don't think you can get it anymore - but T-gel or Oilatum shampoo is good as well.

He’s being sexist. Definitely see another GP

Do you have cats, dogs or young children? Tinea (ringworm is even more likely in you do, especially cats) your GP should send off a skin scraping to the lab for testing. You could try an OTC antifungal in the meantime to see if it helps. You may get an inkling as to its cause.
Does the surface texture of the patches feel different to the surrounding areas? If so in what way?
I would absolutely avoid touching it and try to miss put the are as much as possible with a hairbrush. Also wash your brushes and combs through with a good cleansing product in case it is a transferable infection.
Hair loss is a very emotive issue, it is reasonable to be upset and a GO should ge aware of thus and act accordingly with reassurance. It is not possible to say if you were over reacting, however if you were not reassured the go could have tried better to explain and allay your concerns.

My son had something very similar looking - went to the chemist and they said ringworm. Bought some anti fungal shampoo and it started to clear in a few days, and completely gone within a fortnight.

It’s not eczema. You need oral antifungal tablets for that.

Eczema is a non-specific dermatological condition.
My initial thought was ringworm. See another GP.
Hair loss is distressing.

I'm not an expert, but if it is ringworm they may tell you that the hair might not grow back, but it probably will eventually.

YANBU!! You wouldn’t be rude to get a second opinion- it’s your health and well-being at stake! Your gp sounds like a rude, sexist pig.

It looks like a fungal infection. But your GP has a special interest in dermatology so I'm surprised he didn't suggest that.

looks like ringworm to me! had it as a child. had a cream and it was gone.

If it turns out to be ringworm that GP is some specialist in Dermatology- Not ! and should be reported.

It really doesn't matter whether or not you are worrying for no reason. If a man went in with the same complaint, he wouldn't have used the word hysterical. It's an outdated, misogynistic word which he absolutely should not be using to describe an upset patient. I would be complaining about that and expecting a conversation with him to clear up his vocabulary.

But also, pop down to your pharmacists tomorrow and ask about it.

My husband has had this for a year. First medicine didn’t help. He has now been on antibiotics for 3 months and will have to continue for another 6 months. Has to do liver tests etc in between. How can the doctor’s not know what this is..?

Isn’t it documented that women receive worse medical care than men?

I would put in a formal complain. Language like this should not be tolerated.

It’s a bacterial infection.

Whether he thought you were being “hysterical” or not, he should’ve acted in a kind and professional manner. As a GP surely he should be thinking...my patient is distressed by this...and be understanding and helpful. Sorry I don’t know what to suggest with your sores but wanted to say you are definitely not being unreasonable.