NeedHairAdvice's story (Start of male pattern baldness or something else?)

[NeedHairAdvice]

Hi all,

Thanks in advance for all those who read this and can provide some advice.

About 2 weeks ago I starting noticing hair loss in the shower (~20-30 hairs) and I am a bit freaked out by it. I have never noticed any hair loss (I'm 27) before the past couple weeks. I don't smoke, rarely drink alcohol, eat very healthy (fruits, veggies, lean protein, etc), take vitamins, and exercise 3-4 times a week.

I have been a bit stressed due to a death in the family and my wedding which took place a few weeks ago (I now semi-seriously tease my wife that she is the cause of my hair loss). Is it probable that the hair loss is due to this stress? I have noticed 'white bulbs' on the end of alot of hairs...is that good or bad? I do sometimes have a dry scalp, would that contribute to the hair loss?

Like I said, I've never had this happen before and, outside of stresses mentioned above, nothing at all has changed so I'm hoping it's just a temporary thing...any advice is much appreciated.

 

[The Gardener]

The shed hairs don't mean anything. It sounds like you are just going through a shed, which has nothing to do with male pattern baldness.

If you start seeing recession in your hairline, or thinning of the overall visible density of your hair that is noticeable, or if the shedding seems to be accompanied by extreme itchiness, then you might have male pattern baldness.

The white bulb at the end of your hair is normal.

 

[NeedHairAdvice]

Is it still normal if I've never experienced a shed like this (all at one time) before? Could it be due to the stress? I'm just afraid this will continue to happen (lost hairs everyday) until, in 12 months, I'm bald.

Sorry for all the questions, and I'm sure you have encountered them before (although I did search and read some articles online) so thanks for the reponse.

 

[The Gardener]

Is it still normal if I've never experienced a shed like this (all at one time) before?

20-30 hairs in the shower? Yes, that is normal, but it is a fairly aggressive shed.

Could it be due to the stress?

It could be.

I'm just afraid this will continue to happen (lost hairs everyday) until, in 12 months, I'm bald.

Absolutely not. Even people with male pattern baldness don't lose hair at that rate!

However, there are some non-male pattern baldness forms of alopecia that can do that, (alopecia areata, I believe) but they are VERY rare.