April 28 2006, 12:36 pm PT | Posted in: Hair Loss Causes
Doc,
I am 23 and for the past three years I have experienced an itchy scalp and hair loss. About a year ago I went to the doctor and he said to use anti-dandruff shampoo. However this has done nothing to cure the itchiness of the scalp, which seems to be associated with hairloss, with both becoming more intense over the last six months. It seems to be rapid thinning across the crown and top midline where prior it was a slow receeding hairline. My question is why the sudden change from a slow receeding hairline to rapid hairloss and why the itchiness that is associated with the hairloss, knowing that my scalp is not red or inflamed. Sometimes it feels like a crawling sensation across the scalp.Also, I am thinking of taking propecia to slow the hair loss. Is this wise? What should I know before starting?
Dry scalp tends to cause an itchy scalp. The more you scratch or think about your scalp, the more you will scratch your scalp. Excessive scratching can cause hair loss if it pulls the hair as you scratch (called trichotillomania). I am not certain if there is a true relationship between itchy scalp and hair loss. I believe taking Propecia would help with Male Pattern Baldness (MPB), but as I have said many times on this blog, you need to have a diagnosis first. Propecia could either regrow hair, stop the hair loss, or slow down the process of hair loss in someone with real male genetic hair loss.
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I have had a similar problem with itching scalp. It started when I was in my early twenties, I am now thirty four. It definately feels like something crawling on your scalp but there is nothing there. Its quite difficult to stop scratching. The itching/hairloss appears to be seasonal around Winter and Summer (even though I live in Australia where there is no huge changes with seasons). I started propecia about six months ago (Im actually using 1/4 tablet of proscar which has the same ingredient). I only use Nizoral shampoo and never use any styling products. I have been going for about six months. My hairloss has stopped and the itching is very rare. My hair has also thickened a little, however I am not expecting it to grow back. I recommend that you go and see your doctor first and get an opinion.