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 Dr. Alan J. Bauman is the Founder, Medical Director and Chief Surgeon of the Bauman Medical Group, P.A. located in Wharfside at Boca Pointe in Boca Raton, Florida. His practice is dedicated exclusively to treating male and female pattern hair loss. Dr. Bauman uses state-of-the-art medical and surgical techniques to help his patients maintain and/or restore their scalp hair.
eric Hicks
2004-05-26
Strange loss of hair (possibly TE or AA?)
Dear DR. Bauman I am a 21 year old male who has an extremely unique hair loss situation. At the end of August I suffered from a severe illness known as Montezumas revenge. Not long after this month long illness which is severe and usually lasts only a week did I notice clumps and clumps of hair falling out. I did all my research and realized it was one of two things a telogen effluvium or an early onset of AA. My hair was ridiculously thick when the hair loss started but within a month I noticed a thinning along a temple despite rapid diffuse loss which was too much to count. It prompted a trip to the dermatologists who both diagnosed it as a case of telogen effluvium in early January. Since then the hair loss has been much better but still rather rapid and much more; much more then it was prior to the illness. I figured since a telogen effluvium can last from 6 months to a year that it indeed could still be triggering the loss. My hair was huge, dark and thick and now the frontal hairline is damaged and the temples are smooth and have lots of less hair as well as the entire head being thinner as felt while showering or rubbing my head through when usually all I could feel was layers of hair; now all I can feel is that bald smooth feeling all across my scalp. My question is can a te affect the frontal and temple areas?? Another thing is this hair loss has only gone for like 6 months but usually isnt aa progressive and not rapid. Each and every testimonial I read about AA was noticed by someone seeing a thinning or balding spot and someone pointing it out to them. Their was absolutely nothing wrong when my hair started coming out in huge piles but now I am extremely worried because my temple areas are probably in the worst shape out of my entire hair although the thinning is rapid elsewhere. Is it still possible this will pass or should I come to the conclusion it is AA. My dad is 50 with a huge head of hair, no one bald on my dads side but my moms has it; my cousain started at 17 but at like 25 still had a good head my grandpa started later and still has his front and only a vertex spot and still has quite a bit of hair; however the trait is their just for your info. Is 6 months soon to notice so much; please help; no one can seem to; its so unique and frustrating. Also thyroid tests normal as well as vitamin level good. Thank you.
Telogen Effluvium diagnosis and treatment can be tricky--especially if you have some male pattern hair loss in the family. Sometimes there is male pattern loss underlying the acute problem (TE from the illness, for example). In my practice, I would treat you aggressively with a combination therapy of Propecia plus minoxidil instead of waiting around to 'see what happens.' The treatments work to protect you from male pattern hair loss and also stimulate hair growth.
I'm hoping you are on some kind of treatment.
Keep me posted with your progress.
Sincerely,
Dr. B.
Alan J. Bauman MD
doctorb@baumanmedical.com
www.baumanmedical.com
1-877-BAUMAN-9 toll free
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