October 23 2006, 11:35 am PT | Posted in: Hair Loss Causes
I’m a 19 year old male whose hairline has been steadily declining since I was about 15. Hair is thickest at the back of the head, and thinner towards the forehead. There are no balding spots; but I’m noticing that V-shape with regards to the temples. I figured this was typical hereditary hairloss, except since my early-to-mid teens I’ve experienced a slightly rough-feeling rash around my scalp, which seems to pop around it in spots at random from day to day - particularly towards the front of my head towards the forehead. It looks like a sunburn, but it’s there year-round and there are some small pimple-like sores scattered about wherever the rash is. They don’t hurt when pricked, though I’ve avoided this. I’ve seen a dermatologist (roughly two years ago), whose best guess was acne (which was on my face at the time), so I was given Accutane for three months - my face is great, but the scalp problem persists. I’ve also been on tetracycline occasionally. And I know a Accutane causes hairloss, so I’m sure it hasn’t helped the problem. But over the last few months the hairloss has been socially noticable, though before I took Accutane some would still wonder where my hairline is. So, I guess my question is…can you guess the mystery rash? Two doctors and a dermatologist have had no idea, since I’ve no symptoms of Sebhorrea (sp?) and the like, and well, am completely confused with what’s going on. Few are bald in my family, and those that are weren’t balding before 30. And the rash is unique. I can’t think of anything unique to my environment to cause it, though I have an affection for coffee and started smoking recently (cigarette a day). Any idea?
After two doctors who have actually examined your scalp, I doubt I can guess what your mystery rash on your scalp may be (especially via the internet). If you are thinking that you are developing frontal balding, please read the following reference article: Juvenile vs Mature Hairline — Am I Going Bald?
Paid advertisements (not an endorsement):
I’ve had a scalp rash thing with breakouts since the 1990s. The only other person I’ve seen with this also lived in the same area called Orono Maine. I’ve seen a doctor and a dermatologist but they can’t figure out what it is. I’m now in my 40s and my hair is thinning on that side where there is constant scabbing. I’ve tried all the over the counter shampoos and ointments. What can I do? Sometimes it fades away a little but then there are times that there are tiny pimple type things and bleeding and serious itching. I almost suspect it had something to do with the strange smelling air in that area where I lived close to the Paper Mill. In fact the other guy that had it was worse off than me. He actually lived close to the Mill and the back of his head went bald and his scalp looked like a nuclear bomb had hit it. He had to see doctors about it too but they too were puzzled. The thing is that not everyone in that area breaks out like that. Not that I know of anyway. Then again he and I may have simple been allergic to the same thing. Even though he and I were in clubs together we had little to no physical contact, so I don’t think he or I spread it to one another.