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Hi...my problem started a year ago, when I noticed a section of hair that seemed to be breaking off for no reason; I wasn't under anymore stress than usual, and the rest of my hair was very healthy. This breakage proceeded for three months very quickly in a circular pattern in the middle of my head, until I had to cut the rest of my hair short so it wouldn't be so noticeable. After a few months, the breakage stopped suddenly and moved to the other side of my head. It wasn't as severe this time, although I did have to cut my hair again. It wasn't in as circular a pattern, but it stayed in one area. It didn't itch or anything for a few months, but then it started to itch a lot, on both sides where the breakage has occurred. It's itching now to the point where my scalp feels tender from me scratching so much. I don't have, though, any redness or visible scalp irritation AT ALL.
I've been to two dermatologists. The first didn't have a clue. The second one took a lot of blood tests, which all came up negative or didn't show anything...he said it wasn't ringworm or a scalp infection because there was no visible irritation. He concluded it was hereditary dermatitis, since there was localized itching and breakage, and said to use prescription Denoral, a shampoo for bad dandruff.
It did nothing for me. Do you have any idea what this could be? I think (hope and pray) the breakage has stopped, but the itching is getting really bad and spreading more over my head. Please note that my hair never fell out...it just weakened and broke off, all the way down to the root...but it never had a problem growing, and I never have had bald spots or anything. It seemed to start at the ends and break down from there.
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
In Reply to: very itchy scalp with no visible irritation, with hair breakage posted by becky on March 15, 2001 at 15:02:26:
Hi Becky,
I'm not a doctor, and this protocol might or might not help, but it is inexpensive and easy to do. Check out my response to another scalp inquiry:
Have you tried rinsing your hair with cider vinegar? Years ago, when I lived in the north, I discovered (I think in Prevention Mag.)a remedy for dandruff. The recipe
is 1 part peppermint tea to 1 part cider vinegar. What I did was steep about 5 peppermint tea bags in a small pan of water and mixed that with a small bottle of cider
vinegar. Then whenever I washed my hair, I would fill my bathroom sink with water and mix a little of the tea/vinegar solution with it and rinse my hair after washing.
Worked like a charm. Your scalp PH level may be off, and the vinegar may help restore it to it's proper level. Hope this helps.
Namaste'
Joanie
In Reply to: very itchy scalp with no visible irritation, with hair breakage posted by becky on March 15, 2001 at 15:02:26:
Hi, Becky.
This is called "alopecia areata" and the only known cause IS stress-effect storage in the hypothalamus.
You need a better definition of what stress IS since only about 10% of the stress we are exposed to in this culture is psychosocial. See the homepage about "Modern Medical Interpretation of Stress" and the archives and search engine.
Let us know what you learn.
Walt
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