I think I might be losing my hair (Pics)

[LukeSkywalkerBoots]

Hi all

For some time I have felt like my hair might be thinning. On one side of my head my ear pokes through my hair when it never used to. Also it looks like on my parting more of my scalp is visible than it used to be.

I’m concerned as my grandma lost all her hair due to alopecia.

Does my hair look thin to you?

I have the exact same thing and have been diagnosed by my dermatologist as having Telogen effluvium , (TE) which basically means an overflow of falling hair usually brought on by stress . I’ve had mine for around four years now and my dr has me on oral tablets for it . Telogen effluvium is different to androgenic hair loss in that there is no miniaturisation of the hairs and it’s not a result of hormones but it should still be treated to prevent it triggering long term issues from what I’ve been told . My dr told me he has patients who have had TE for over ten years so I’m assuming I’ll be fighting this long term
My advice is to get a referral to a derm , get a biopsy so they can see what’s happening with the follicles and also get some bloods done . This will enable a diagnosis and correct treatment . Feel free to message me if you like . I know how incredibly stressful it is to have unexplained hair loss

I wanted to add that I would not look at you and think your suffering hair loss just from your photos but I’m going off what you say . People know when they are losing hair and it’s getting thinner . I know I did

@Nomnomcheesecake - do you mind me asking what medication you are on?

Total baldy here 🙋🏻‍♀️ I have had alopecia totalis for 10 years.

From my experience with alopecia you would definitely know if you was starting to get it. You would start getting actual bald patches and not just thinning. Also the skin where there is hair loss would be smooth and I mean REALLY smooth, because when your body rejects hair with alopecia it rejects even tiny fuzzy hairs that usually make your skin look matt, hence why most people with alopecia have quite shiny heads.

Yours just looks like it might be thinning a bit... agree with PP on a blood test. I wouldn't panic unless you get an actual bald spot. Even if it did develop into alopecia areata (bald spots) the chances of a person developing it later in life and then losing all their hair is really slim. Whereas if you develop alopecia areata as a child (like I did) you are more likely to then go on to lose all of it. So I wouldn't panic.

Just wanted to reach out and say if anybody on here had questions about wigs I am happy to answer them. Have been a long term wearer of real human hair wigs. I know how hard it is to cope with hair loss

It sounds like you’ve been through an immensely stressful time OP, so it’s no wonder you’re experiencing some hair loss (during a similar period a few years ago my hair started falling out and I developed eczema for the first time ever - both stopped when the stress died down). Have you noticed any other changes in how you’re feeling? In any case, it’s definitely worth seeing your GP to check your iron levels, etc.

FWIW I wouldn’t think you had particularly thin hair at all if I saw you based on those pics. Maybe a tiny bit at the sides, looking closely, but it’s one of those things other people are unlikely to notice. That’s not to belittle your experience at all though, I know how horrid it is. Hope things improve soon

I have frontal fibrosing alopecia, a scarring alopecia. I've only been diagnosed about 6 months but I have had thinning hair for about 2 years now. It's around my ears, and also along my parting, especially at the front. It's very noticeable now. I have also lost all the hair on my arms and legs, and most of my eyebrows now. Yours does look similar to how mine started, but other non scarring alopecia types can also look like that. I would get your gp to refer you to dermatology.

I have been through this op, I lost a crazy amount after my daughter was born and I actually have a balls patch, only small (10p) but after 3 years it's still there. I think my hair is thinner than it was when I was younger but I'm nearly 40 so I guess that's normal. I use Elvive Fibrology which makes it look thicker.
I was going to say to the people who use minoxidil be careful, I researched it loads when I discovered mine and I was really put off by the (quite dangerous) side effects, and the fact that you have to use it forever.

Bald patch! 😂 Not balls patch

@Grapefruitcauliflower hi, now that it’s been a few years since you lost your hair initially, would you say that your hair has returned to it’s original thickness?

So you haven't lost weight lately, or started keto/low carb? As previous poster said, well as blood tests for ferritin and vitamin D, I'd recommend starting a multivitamin supplement that targets nail and hair. I wouldn't dye the hair. You could try biotin and collagen, but I don't have any personal experience of them. Pre and pro biotics for gut health. Lots of sleep.

Thank you everyone. No I haven’t changed my diet at all. Or lost weight sadly! I will start with the vitamins and iron and talk to the gp. I also read the side effects on one of my medications and it says alopecia!! Awesome. So I need to come off that as it is also messing up my digestion and I’ve put a stone on. Urgh

As several PPs have said, it would be best to get a referral to a dermatologist from your GP. I was diagnosed with lichen planus, too late for topical steroids to have much effect, as my then GP didn't take it seriously. If your hairline is looking motheaten, hair is generally looking and feeling thinner, and you are losing it from in front of your ears, go as soon as you can. I see many women on television with it. A good haircut helps a lot.

[quote Sarahlouiseis33]@Nomnomcheesecake - do you mind me asking what medication you are on?[/quote]
It’s minoxidil in oral form . It needs to be prescribed and then made up by a compounding chemist

TE sufferer here too. Get on a liquid iron supplement asap, a decent hair multivit (I like 'hairburst'). You need a DHT blocker caffeine shampoo (Watermans Grow Me is fab) and add in a few drops of peppermint essential oil. Another vitamin worth trying is Saw Palmetto. I also like a protein hair growth serum at night (many tried but I like the Lee Stafford one) and add in a couple of drops of Rosemary oil. on my second round of TE alopecia and within 6 months on this regime I've gone from shaved head with bald patches to completely full head of hair again.

And absolutely stay the fuck away from low carbing!

The good thing about telogen effluvium is that it’s temporary; even without all the products and potions, your hair will grow back. I also read online that with TE, your hair only falls out once a new strand is ready to replace it.

throwawy100000 how long did it take for you to see new hair growth?

@princessTiasmum within 2 months my hair fell out around my hairline & face so the fresh regrowth/baby hair was really noticeable! It started off wispy at first but later grew in at a normal thickness. Within 3-4 months my hairline looked normal again, the sparse patches were barely there.

@littlebirdieblue - same here! Are you seeing a dermatologist? (Sorry to resurrect an old thread)

@Callcat can you please explain the low carbing point? I went Keto and I was losing tonnes of hair. I really need to lose the weight so can you explain why the two are linked (if you know!)z

Callcat is liquid Iron better than the pills ? I am on it now as my hair was falling out at a rate of knots but taking MSM really helped with the growth. My hair is growing super fast but also breaking and almost like bum fluff, really light and frizzy