Inconclusive biopsy for possible scarring hair... - Alopecia UK

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Inconclusive biopsy for possible scarring hair loss alopecia

Funkyfish123 profile image
3 Replies

Hello all,

Sorry this is long but needed to give some background

I am 29 years old in the UK and struggling to know whats causing my hair loss. When i was about 7 i was diagnosed with Scalp Psoriasis and after cream after cream nothing really worked so as a teenager i gave up on it and just learnt to live with it. About 4 years ago i found a small bald patch at the back of my head at the top and had a biopsy done but they said its possibly due to scratching the psoriasis a lot and that the area was scarred. I didnt monitor it anymore as took their word for it so thought it couldnt get worse as maybe self inflicted. I have always had lots of hair so could hide it. Last June my hair started feeling very thin so i went back to dermatology and she advised iron tablets and said i had diffuse hair thinning. About 2 months later I found several new bald spots. Went back to a different dermatologist and they said its possibly scarred and wont grow back. Did three small biopsies but nothing showed up, just "some scarring" so they started treating me for lichen Planopilaris by giving me injections into my scalp. Since then, i havent been able to get another appointment in 5 months and now in lockdown. I am using dermovate gel but spoke to a new dermatologist today over the phone, as the other one has left and he has suggested another biopsy and mentioned possible discoid lupus? I am not sure i want another biopsy as they dont show much in my past experiences and itll create another tiny bald patch to add to the others. Does anyone have any suggestions? Know of any good uk dermatologists that I can pay for? Have any experience of discoid lupus or lichen Planopilaris? The psoriasis seems to have disappeared in the last few years also. It makes me so depressed and makes me feel ugly. My hair in the parting line is ok but there are a lot of little shorter hairs that come put from it so think my hair is also breaking a lot. My diet varies, depending if i cook or have a microwave meal or eat out. Also currently taking biotin and iron tablets but all my other levels are tested fine. Its worrying as they cant find whats causing it so no telling if it will happen again. Feeling frustrated because no one seems to know and i get a different opinion each time, im losing trust. I also suffer with mild depression and hsve done for about 11 years but dont take anything for it, managed with councelling. Np medication taken apart from the ovranette pill. Last year a month before i noticed the hsir loss, i changed my pill from ovranette to one begining with R? But read bad reviews so changed it back in December when ovranette became available again. Im so scared that this isnt over and that they are missing something big. :(

Thanks x

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3 Replies
Funkyfish123 profile image
Funkyfish123

Hello,

Thank you for your reply. I have had it explained before and understand why the scarring can happen but I am wandering what type of Alopecia it is, as there are a lot of auto immune disorders. So I was wandering what other peoples symptoms/diagnosis stories were with some of the ones that have been mentioned to me so I can see if I relate.

Do you have any experience in this type of hair loss that you could share that I might be able to relate to?

I still have a lot of hair thankfully so wont be shaving my head but want to get to the bottom of why this is happening so I can try to get an understanding and some preventative treatment.

Regards

X

paw1 profile image
paw1

Worth looking at Alopecia UK website, plus they have a useful facebook chat site that you can use.

Mamamia123 profile image
Mamamia123

Hi, Dermatologist Matthew Harries does both NHS at Salford Royal and private at Cheadle he specialises in scalp and hair loss problems. I am seeing him privately as there was a long waiting list to see him on NHS

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