Itchy scalp and hair loss

[Sentiments]

Hi there. Ive been diagnosed with PCOS for about three years now. However, since then, I have always experienced a very itchy scalp. It has continued to get worse and worse, and itching the scalp always leads to hair loss and little red bumps on my scalp. I've visited my GP multiple times who always seem to prescribe me new medicated shampoos etc as they say its a trial and error thing, however i cant help feel annoyed. The temples of my hair have thinned dramatically, along with all round hair thinness.

As a woman, as alot of you will know and experience, this is such a sad and stressful time. I feel alone and helpless at times, because iv told nobody but my mum and GP obviously, that i have PCOS, all of which hasnt helped anything and i refuse to talk to anyone. I have all of the other symptoms too - excessive hair, mood swings, depression, etc. It just gets me really down, and as a 20 year old i cant handle it at times.

Anyone have the same itchy scalp and hair loss problem? and if so, what are they using to treat it? and if combatted, what did you use? Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.

[Peaches3]

I'm not sure if that is what you have or not, but when I went to my Dermatologist in complaint of itchy scalp and hair loss, he told me I had scalp psoriasis. If you scratch it, does dandruff type stuff come out on your fingers? Or if you go look in a mirror and part your hair where it itches the most, do you see dandruff or maybe dried scalp that you've scratched off? It has something to do with build up and sometimes scaling of the skin and what happens is, if part of the scalp has build up or gets scaly, a piece of hair attached to it might come out with it. I actually was
put on clobex shampoo and that helped out alot, with the itchyness and the hair loss. You use it so many times for a while and then slowly decrease the amount to like twice a week and then only as needed but actually scalp psoriasis comes and goes.

I plan on making a drs appointment here soon actually to see if the dr. will give me another prescription for it.... I havent used it in quite some time because things began to get better but I actually think its the only thing that stops the hair loss/itchyness and grows hair. Just be sure that if it is prescribed to you, watch where you put it, because hair will grow there!!! I went to see a gyno about the hair issues and she just put me on a bc pill but I think I need something topical too.... so if the doc wont put me back on clobex, then i'll ask for something else.

But ask your dermatologist and see what they say. To me, it sounds like you might have scalp psoriasis. Good luck!

[DiamondInTheRough]

It sounds like scalp psoriasis to me too. I also have it, and I think it's been causing hair loss. I've been putting off seeing a dermatologist for it, I think I'll make an appointment in the newyear.

[ScaredSally]

Mine is due to the excess androgens and androgen genetic alopecia one of the symptoms is itchign or buring in the area where teh hair follicle is shrinking.

[Sentiments]

Thanks for the replies guys

[MrsFlipFlops]

These posts are giving me so much hope, I didn't know I had options with this hair loss problem... don't feel alone sentiments, I totally relate... I don't believe I should be 26 and losing hair, it's just not right.

[pamelap]

I can totally relate. I've never been a "glamour girl", I'm pretty frumpy However losing my hair has really attacked my self esteem and has really made me watch my appearance more.

Hair loss, acne/oily skin, dandruff, and excess facial/body hair are all thanks to high testosterone levels. It bites ! I know. There are prescription meds you can take to lower your test. levels however they are not guaranteed and they give you TONS of side affects.

As far as the itchy scalp, I have that as well. I've noticed it getting worse over the years as well as my dandruff.

I do many things:

First I control my test. levels by herbs (http://pcosinfo.com/blog/herbal-remedies-and-pcos/)

I use a Nettle based shampoo (http://www.nutracareinc.com/), Nettle has been shown to reduce DHT which is the hormone (derived from testosterone) that leads to hair loss.

I also use an anti dandruff shampoo (Head and Shoulders) While tea tree oil shampoo can work as well, I've found more success from H & S. I use the H & D to wash my hair, then shampoo again with the Nettle.

There are other simple tips you can use to better your hair quality as well (http://pcosinfo.com/blog/other-ways-...s-due-to-pcos/) All of these things listed above have helped me seriously reduce my hair loss (thank goodness!)

Hope this helps!!