Hair Loss

[beachbound]

I'm scared! I have psoriasis on top of my head almost in a straight line down the middle.I'm getting so thin up top. Some clumps of hair are surrounded by p and falling out daily....not in clumps but in strands, lots of strands.
Has anyone else experiencing this?
My arms and legs are a mess and sun doesn't help me. The thought of losing my hair scares me to death.
Depressed in PA
Sue

[PTener]

Hi Sue,

I, too, faced masses of hair coming out daily. My first thought was ps, but I had ps for 54 years and had never had hair loss. I read everything I had about hair loss. It can be from stress. The stress of pneumonia caused my cousin's hair to fall out. Her hair grew back as soon as she was well. It can be from some drug. I had been taking Wellbutrin as a quit smoking aid. My doctor insisted that none of the drugs he had given me could have caused it. I went to the site of the manufacturer of the drugs. Many, including Wellbutrin, list alopecia (hair loss) as a possible side effect. Within 30 days of my stopping the drug, the hair was coming back in. A thyroid problem can cause hair loss or thinning. It could be a vitamin deficiency.

We experience hair loss when follicles become plugged. According to my hair dreser, just shampooing every day can help, but it is up to us to be the detective and find the actual cause.

Good luck in your research. I hope you find your answer soon. In the mean time, know you are not alone and that there is a multitude
of prayers and good thoughts being sent your way.

Peggy

[PJ Leary]

Hey Sue,

What a bummer, on top of the psoriasis! Have you tried topicals to control the scalp? There are several that are usually very effective.

PJ Leary

[beachbound]

Thanks Peggy!
I know most of the hair I'm losing is due to the psoriasis, and I'm sure stress is a factor too, but it seemed I was losing even more of late. After reading your post I went straight to my new pills and got the info. I'm 53 and went on hormone therapy almost a month ago...not that I needed it for the normal reasons, but was hoping it would help the psoriasis. One of the possible side effects was hair loss. I stopped taking them today and I'm hoping it slows down now. God forbid long pants, 3/4 sleeves AND a hat!!
By the way, did the wellbutrin work for you?? If so, did you see any change when you quit? Mine are sitting in the cabinet!

Thanks also to PJ....I use Olux foam sparingly!

Sue

[PTener]

Hi Sue,

Wellbutrin was prescribed as a stop smoking aid. It did help keep me content and the quitting smoking was easier for a while. Then came the hair loss, so I quit taking the pills. Then I lit up again. I did quit the smokes - utilizing prayer - and it was easier yet. I am smoke free now.

I have some other health problems which tend to get me down, but I will not go back to Wellbutrin. As with many drugs, it is only meant to be taken for a relatively short time.

If you would like to contact me directly, I can share my knowledge about the hormones. They can be another hornet's nest of problems for some of us.

Peggy
scradar@xyz.net

[devjcr]

P on the scalp can be very difficult to control. I've been living with p for 4 years and through experimenting with different medications, I have found a great system for my scalp p. The problem I had when first diagnosed was not following the routine as instructed by my doctor. He gave me drippy solutions that got on everything else but my scalp. I switched doctors and I told her that I never treated my p in the morning because of the mess. She suggested I use Derma Smooth at night. It is oily, but it comes with a shower cap to keep the moisture in as you sleep. I also use a towel on my pillow to prevent the mess. In the morning I wash my hair with Capex shampoo. Then I use Olux Foam which worked wonders for me. It is strong and only to be used for 2 weeks. After two weeks I use the milder version, Luxiq foam. In the beginning I used the derma smooth every day. But as it cleared up I only needed it once a week. I didn't really deal with hair loss, but my doc told me that those with scalp p often complain of hair loss due to the follicles being clogged and covered with the plaques. I hope some of this info is useful. Talk to your doc about it. Good luck!

Jilliann

P.S. Not too long ago I read on the message board that someone was complaining prickling sensation when overheated after using the foams. I have recently felt that sensation. I have not yet spoken to a doc about it because I just began a new job and do not yet have health insurance. Just an FYI

[liamseo]

We experience hair loss (http://www.combat-hair-loss.co.uk) when follicles become plugged. According to my hair dreser, just shampooing every day can help, but it is up to us to be the detective and find the actual cause.

Yes.. its left to us to find out what really caused the thinning of our hair in these areas.. not just blaming ps alone.. there may be other things that might have led to the shedding of hair.. check your diet.. medication.. lifestyle as well as other environmental factors that may have led to this condition..

[mer1973]

Sue,
I had some luck with my scalp p and thinning hair using a shampoo called Nioxin. It helped to keep my scalp cleansed which allowed for new hair growth. Running my fingers through my hair, I could actually feel "peach fuzz" where new hair was growing. Nioxin has the shampoo, a conditioner and a scalp treatment. I didn't use the scalp treatment because I couldn't afford the entire package at the time. I did use the shampoo and conditioner and was pleased with the results it gave me.