Sudden hair loss with stinging, itchingm burning

[Moon_man]

I am 29M and a few months ago one day, out of nowhere, my entire scalp began to itch and burn. I tried to ignore it but it got worse. One day my entire scalp felt like it was on fire. Since then, my hair has been noticeably falling out and it burns, stings, and itches like mad. I try my best to never scratch it, but it never goes away unless I do. I very rapidly developed a widow's peak, with the majority of the stinging sensation being towards the front of my head in that area and the top of my head. It also happens occasionally directly on my crown, and when it does the pain is so bad it's as if I was being stabbed with a needle or stung by a bee. I can no longer wear anything that touches my head: Hats, headphones, even hoodies. ANY contact with my hair makes the itching significantly worse. It's as if the only way to get relief is to purposefully remove my hair in the irritated areas. My scalp is also very flaky, and most of the hairs that fall out have a bulb at the ends.
I began taking "Nutrafol" hair loss supplements which helped a lot at first, but the problem is now becoming worse and they help less and less. If I stop taking these pills, within 36 hours the stinging/itching will be unbearable.

My dermatologist has had me try the following:
Doxepin for anxiety-related hair loss: after 1 month of use has had no effect.
Lidocaine spray: Helps with the stinging, but almost makes the itching worse. I can tell it's just covering up the problem, not solving it.

I have seen 4 different doctors and they all say the same thing: "It's just normal balding" or "I have no idea, go see a dermatologist" (which I have).
In general my diet is impeccable, and I am very fit and healthy. I have no concerns that this is a nutrient deficiency. I have had blood work done to make sure.

I know this is not normal balding and I am desperate for an answer as to what is going on.

 

[Armando Jose]

Inflammation for sure
have you an image of scalp?

 

[Moon_man]

Inflammation for sure
have you an image of scalp?

I have not been able to see any skin inflammation, redness, or irritation. Here's some pictures if they help.

 

[Armando Jose]

Fine hair, low hair density, one hair in each follicle but try to mantain it and low the ichting. You can use a natural antinflammatory product as pure jojoba oil as a lotion.
A lot of luck

 

[Moon_man]

Fine hair, low hair density, one hair in each follicle but try to mantain it and low the ichting. You can use a natural antinflammatory product as pure jojoba oil as a lotion.
A lot of luck

Thanks, I will try jojoba oil. I had previously tried Lavendar oil mixed with coconut oil and that seemed to help a lot.

 

[jazz1]

They check you have male pattern baldness? As this can accelerate fast.....

 

[straitlines]

I had a “burning scalp” condition about 2 years ago. The issue went on for months. I saw a dermatologist who gave me some antihistamines which worked a little but never got rid of it. I did shed a fair bit during this time. Thankfully the condition only lasted about 6-8 months and then it spontaneously went away as suddenly as it has started.

I was also put on finasteride for some months to help with the shedding/thinning of hair. My hair did eventually stop shedding as the burning sensation went away.

My guess was that it was likely some form of telogen effluvium. But the dermatologist never did confirm a diagnosis.

 

[Moon_man]

Fine hair, low hair density, one hair in each follicle but try to mantain it and low the ichting. You can use a natural antinflammatory product as pure jojoba oil as a lotion.
A lot of luck

Thanks, I will try jojoba oil. I had previously tried Lavendar oil mixed with coconut oil

I had a “burning scalp” condition about 2 years ago. The issue went on for months. I saw a dermatologist who gave me some antihistamines which worked a little but never got rid of it. I did shed a fair bit during this time. Thankfully the condition only lasted about 6-8 months and then it spontaneously went away as suddenly as it has started.

I was also put on finasteride for some months to help with the shedding/thinning of hair. My hair did eventually stop shedding as the burning sensation went away.

My guess was that it was likely some form of telogen effluvium. But the dermatologist never did confirm a diagnosis.

Interesting. Here's to hoping mine goes away as suddenly as it started. One doctor did recommend Allegra or similar Antihistamines, which I already take for seasonal allergies (I didn't notice it help much). I am going to ask to try finasteride.

 

[SnortingFin]

Mate I feel you, I'm in the same boat
On July 2019 I went to sleep but I was kind of frustrated, anxious, stressed and sad. I woke up the next morning and my anus was clenched and my scalp on the left temple was burning, itching, pins, needles sensations I thought it will be gone within days but it didn't.

I went to a dermatologist and he was clueless he said nothing is wrong(?) and gave me painkillers... I was in so much pain so I had to take it for 2 or 3 days then I stopped it, I thought I got better but I didn't, the sensations came back.

I was so desperate I wished to die because not only just pain but my hair was falling rows by rows in that area.

So I said it might be my mental health that causing me this pain. So I went to a psychiatrist and prescribed Effexor 75 Xr and upgraded to 150mg, for a month or two the pain calmed down a bit (more like it come and goes) but my anus was still clenched.
I had to quit Effexor because I was totally a different person, couldnt function well and had brain fog.

I quit Effexor coldturkey and hell it was a month and half, literally I wouldnt give it to my enemy... Hell it made things worse than better... Now I have tinnitus in both ears 24/7...

Then I went to a neurologist told me to do a brain MRI, so I did and the result was normal!
He didn't want to give me any kind of meds but I insisted so he gave me Tegretol 200/ Ginseng Extract Forte 40mg and Moodapex (to boost my mood) maybe gave me 5% relief at most but nothing much.

A second attempt to another neurologist prescribed me Dogmatil 50mg/ Lustral 50mg and told me it is the Vagus nerve was the problem, also did nothing but 5% relief at most.

I gave up on it because it wasnt the result im seeking.

I also had to give up on Coffee and Tea and (Hash) because it makes the sensations worse and more frequent.

Until a month ago I was fed up for real and I was about to go NUTS.

Then all of a sudden I took a big deep breath and held it, then I pushed it up towards my head, guess what?
I felt as of something moved and settled in its right place more like this [ |||\ ] then [ |||| ] INSTANTLY I felt kind of relief like OMG I havent felt this good for too long!
On relief scale 60% BETTER.

Meantime I still have those symptoms but less severe what is more frequent is those shocks like electric zaps and Ive felt plenty while typing this long *** reply.

Im not gonna lie, once I feel the slightest stress or anxiety I get attacked by the sensations, my anus still clenchs through out the day.

Now I just came back from the pharmacy and bought Multi Relax 5mg with no prescription all by myself, Trying to calm my muscles maybe its the cause?

Sorry for the long reply but I wanted to share this, I hope we can overcome this issue... because its destroying me.
Thanks.

 

[Moon_man]

Mate I feel you, I'm in the same boat
On July 2019 I went to sleep but I was kind of frustrated, anxious, stressed and sad. I woke up the next morning and my anus was clenched and my scalp on the left temple was burning, itching, pins, needles sensations I thought it will be gone within days but it didn't.

I went to a dermatologist and he was clueless he said nothing is wrong(?) and gave me painkillers... I was in so much pain so I had to take it for 2 or 3 days then I stopped it, I thought I got better but I didn't, the sensations came back.

I was so desperate I wished to die because not only just pain but my hair was falling rows by rows in that area.

So I said it might be my mental health that causing me this pain. So I went to a psychiatrist and prescribed Effexor 75 Xr and upgraded to 150mg, for a month or two the pain calmed down a bit (more like it come and goes) but my anus was still clenched.
I had to quit Effexor because I was totally a different person, couldnt function well and had brain fog.

I quit Effexor coldturkey and hell it was a month and half, literally I wouldnt give it to my enemy... Hell it made things worse than better... Now I have tinnitus in both ears 24/7...

Then I went to a neurologist told me to do a brain MRI, so I did and the result was normal!
He didn't want to give me any kind of meds but I insisted so he gave me Tegretol 200/ Ginseng Extract Forte 40mg and Moodapex (to boost my mood) maybe gave me 5% relief at most but nothing much.

A second attempt to another neurologist prescribed me Dogmatil 50mg/ Lustral 50mg and told me it is the Vagus nerve was the problem, also did nothing but 5% relief at most.

I gave up on it because it wasnt the result im seeking.

I also had to give up on Coffee and Tea and (Hash) because it makes the sensations worse and more frequent.

Until a month ago I was fed up for real and I was about to go NUTS.

Then all of a sudden I took a big deep breath and held it, then I pushed it up towards my head, guess what?
I felt as of something moved and settled in its right place more like this [ |||\ ] then [ |||| ] INSTANTLY I felt kind of relief like OMG I havent felt this good for too long!
On relief scale 60% BETTER.

Meantime I still have those symptoms but less severe what is more frequent is those shocks like electric zaps and Ive felt plenty while typing this long *** reply.

Im not gonna lie, once I feel the slightest stress or anxiety I get attacked by the sensations, my anus still clenchs through out the day.

Now I just came back from the pharmacy and bought Multi Relax 5mg with no prescription all by myself, Trying to calm my muscles maybe its the cause?

Sorry for the long reply but I wanted to share this, I hope we can overcome this issue... because its destroying me.
Thanks.

Thanks for the reply man, sounds like your situation is worse than mine. I'm always happy to hear others stories.
I also have terrible anxiety and I believe it plays a part in what's happening (so does my doctor) but so far none of the medications I have been given help at all. I have holes in my tooth enamel because I clench my teeth so much.
As soon as I feel a zap in my head, I instantly cannot focus on anything else and start to freak out that my hair is falling out in that spot. On some days it's so bad that I am woken up by pain/itch on my head before my alarm. It really is ruining my life. Losing hair is bad enough, but being CONSTANTLY reminded of it every waking minute of every single day is like some kind of terrible mental torture.

I have also tried muscle relaxers as well as nerve-calming agents, but they just make me want to sleep all day and nothing else.

You want to know the only time I get relief? Exercise. During my intense workouts I never once feel the sting or itch. Maybe it's the increased bloodflow to my scalp or maybe endorphins temporarily block out the stress hormones, I have no clue but it certainly motivates me to exercise more.

I think my next step is to try mindfulness meditation. I've heard it helps immensely with anxiety if you can stick to it.

Our struggles are what make us stronger. Hopefully we both make it to the other side better than we were before.

 

[Ticken]

These sensations are known as trichodynia, "substance p" or scalp dysesthesia.
Unfortunately, the cause is not well understood but it can arise with emotional/physical stress, telogen effluvium and certain alopecias.
The good news is it often resolves itself without any treatment within a number of months.

I'm currently on my 8th month and the sensations have been slowly getting less intense, some days they are barely noticeable.
Stress reduction like your thinking of with mindfulness meditation will help. Be good to yourself
More info on trichodynia with a few treatment suggestions:

Chapter: Trichodynia (Scalp Dysesthesia)

Trichodynia is defined as a painful sensation in the skin of the scalp or the hair without an underlying cutaneous disease. The term “trichodynia” (cutaneous dysesthesia syndrome) has also been propos

www.intechopen.com

 

[Moon_man]

These sensations are known as trichodynia, "substance p" or scalp dysesthesia.
Unfortunately, the cause is not well understood but it can arise with emotional/physical stress, telogen effluvium and certain alopecias.
The good news is it often resolves itself without any treatment within a number of months.

I'm currently on my 8th month and the sensations have been slowly getting less intense, some days they are barely noticeable.
Stress reduction like your thinking of with mindfulness meditation will help. Be good to yourself
More info on trichodynia with a few treatment suggestions:

Chapter: Trichodynia (Scalp Dysesthesia)

Trichodynia is defined as a painful sensation in the skin of the scalp or the hair without an underlying cutaneous disease. The term “trichodynia” (cutaneous dysesthesia syndrome) has also been propos

www.intechopen.com

Wow that was really insightful, thank you! Based on that journal, this fits exactly with my symptoms. This will give me specific language to use with my doctor.

 

[Ticken]

Wow that was really insightful, thank you! Based on that journal, this fits exactly with my symptoms. This will give me specific language to use with my doctor.

My best guess, since your hair shedding and scalp pain started very suddenly, is that you are likely experiencing mainly telogen effluvium. Telogen Effluvium is usually "triggered" by some type of intense emotional event (death in family, relationship breakdown etc) or physical stressor (covid, nutrient deficiency etc). Chronic persistent stress may be a trigger as well.

If it is only Telogen Effluvium, your hair should eventually grow back on its own. Sometimes there's more than one thing going on so having a very knowledgeable hair derm do a physical exam and biopsy would be optimal for finding answers.

If I could make a suggestion, on facebook there's a group called "telogen effluvium support group", maybe join that group and ask for recommendations of dermatologists in your city that are expert in distinguishing between telogen effluvium and androgenic alopecia. Good luck!

 

[platinums]

Oh wow this was my symptoms exactly. I even did a double take at your photos and checked it wasn't actually me lol. A few years ago I was at work and felt an itch on my left temple. I didn't know it at the time but this was the start of several years of non stop tingling, itching and burning, resulting in my hair texture changing and thinning out.

Some days it felt like ants were crawling all over my head and I'd just give in and scratch it vigorously with my fingernails with tears in my eyes...like you said, the worst part was the constant itchy reminders ruining your day.

In the entire 3 years, I didn't have a single good day that wasn't ruined by itching. Working out did seem to relieve the symptoms temporarily which is strange.

These days things are maybe 80% better, I have been spraying pure aloe vera on my scalp after the shower which has helped a lot. The hair has never grown back but I'm hoping that oral minoxidil will kickstart things now that my scalp is healthy again.

 

[DogoDiLaurentiis]

Betamethasone valerate if you have any actual redness and pruritic irritation.

 

[platinums]

Forgot to mention that I did do a course of corticosteroids, which helped temporarily. But they are not a long term solution and the itching returned immediately on stopping

 

[DogoDiLaurentiis]

A course, do you mean oral corticosteroids?

I had absolutely horrific scalp inflammation more than 10 years ago and I was on them for close to 8 months, you do what you gotta do.

 

[DogoDiLaurentiis]

Lower your body's PGD2 levels, increase PGE2 with minoxidil if you can, however since you're already experiencing issues with itching do not I repeat do not use anything that has propylene glycol in it because that will make it worse. Regular rogaine has that in it, as does kirkland minoxidil.

My hair is recovering pretty well after really shitty density and shedding, also if you have had any issues of a viral nature in the last 3 to 5 months ago you need to know that the first time you get covid it can shock your body pretty badly, and if you don't get it under control with antiviral substances, it can keep antagonizing your hair.

 

[Armando Jose]

I have been spraying pure aloe vera on my scalp after the shower which has helped a lot

Aloe vera acts as antiinflammatory, the same with jojoba, also is very similar to our hair fat,..., two birds with one stone

 

[DogoDiLaurentiis]

Aloe vera acts as antiinflammatory, the same with jojoba, also is very similar to our hair fat,..., two birds with one stone

I'm not sure something as simple as that will turn his problems around, but he can try it.