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?

If it is fungal you can get an oral fluconaxole treatment for a couple of quid online that could be worth a punt.

Was coming on to say discoid lupus - only as friend has this so it's on my radar. You need a referral to a dermatologist.

No you sorry hysterical. Can you see a different dr and ask to be referred to a specialist?

I do not think that is ringworm as it looks nothing like ringworm.to me.

My friend had this & paid privately for a dermatologist because the GP kept dismissing her. She had badly infected follicles & needed antibiotics.

I have eczema and that isn’t it. It is worrying he has a background in dermatology. I would see a different GP and ask to get a referral to a dermatologist and when you do get a differential diagnosis I would make a formal complaint, first about his mysoginistic language and dismissive behaviour and second about his clear incompetence.

Also your hair follicles have 3 growth stages, I can't remember all the names now but you have resting, growing and just holding the hair, so you will have to wait up to 3 months I think before you will know if the hair is growing back.

Losing hair is shit and really knocks your confidence, is there a female GP you could see as they may be more understanding of it.

I had three doctors and a pharmacists tell me my daughter had eczema. When the eczema cremes don't work, it's not eczema. With my daughter it was scabies, but I had to diagnose this myself and have a stand up row with a pharmacist who was most insistent and tried to sell me E45. Be prepared to research not sure not what you might have but also what you need to buy OTC or pay privately for a blood test for anything more serious.

Did he actually use the word 'hysterical'??

Omfg if so

YANBU OP. We have a GP like this. Appalling bedside manner. Can you ask to see a different GP if one available?

What a vile man. I would definitely ask to see another gp. Maybe a female gp would understand more. They can’t refuse to refer you to a dermatologist. Good luck 💐

I work with kids and have seen ringworm a number of times and it didn't look like that, though it could be fungal of some sort. I also saw it similar to the scalp of a lupus suffer as a couple of others have. I am sorry you have had this so long and not had appropriate support from your go, I hope you manage to get it sorted soon

I would complain to the practise then see a new GP and specifically ask for skin scraping to be done to check for ringworm and swabs to check for bacterial infection and blood tests to look for inflammatory markers that might point to lupus or something else systemic.

And ask if he is still referring for electroshock therapy and womb removal to treat hysteria.

It’s ringworm - steroids will make it worse - you need anti fungals

You might also check for lice/nits which can cause sores such as yours. Get somebody who is familiar with them to check your scalp over thoroughly. Easy to catch if you are around children at all.

Just on the off chance (for the purposes of ruling it out) could it be an allergic reaction to headlice? Get someone familiar with lice and eggs to check your hair carefully or you could try a treatment for lice (but obviously if that is not the problem using a treatment on your head when you have sore areas might inflame them so that is a danger).

Just to add I had a hair loss condition at one point. It can take a good while for it to reverse, think months rather than weeks. He was wrong to use those words but I'm not sure you've had treatment long enough to see a difference. Whoever you see next do ask them how long you should try whatever you are given next before you would expect to see an improvement. Sometimes we're just not on the same page as our docs.

To those saying it's fungal (ringworm, tinea capitis) or bacterial - you can't know that for sure without further tests.

Get a GP/dermatologist to take a swab for microscopy, culture and sensitivities if they think it's bacterial, and also skin scrapings/hair from the affected area (not a swab) for dermatophytes if they think it's fungal. Different organisms need different antibiotics/antifungals, so it would help to know which it is.

Quite likely to be fungal - I do culture and ID for dermatophytes, and a high proportion of the samples we get sent are positive (maybe 30%).

I agree, calling you hysterical is very poor, and your GP doesn't sound like he's even a good dermatologist, so get a 2nd opinion.

YANBU. See a different GP. If the 2nd GP refers you too hospital you can request that you don't see him. You have every right to ask never to see him again and doctor's surgeries and hospital has a duty to honour that request.

If you get a diagnosis that is not eczema please complain.

Complain to the Practice Manager, this sort of language is outdated and unacceptable

It could be alopecia. I had something similar and the dermatologist gave me some steroid injections in my scalp and it really helped. Perhaps use head and shoulders too instead of your usual shampoo.

Did he take a swab to send off?

No. But I'm thinking of suggesting this to a different GP.

The cream he's given me is a white tube with a lion on it. Can't remember the name but will check when home x

That’s incredibly misogynistic.

I had skin problems for about 5 years (chronic itching with no visible rash) and my GP used to tell me it was all in my head and that I probably just have mental health problems. I finally got a referral to a dermatologist who knew immediately what it was, provided a cream and I’ve not had any issues since. Get a second opinion, if your GP isn’t taking you seriously, I don’t know how they can treat you properly.

Go with your gut and get a second opinion. You’ve nothing to lose from asking. You have to think of your health and well-being. If you don’t who else well x