does tingling scalp mean hair loss or re growth??

[Dindin]

Hi All.

I have had telogen effluvium for three and a half months now due to stopping Diane 35. The first two months were horrible.. I lost half my hair. Now it dies down a bit.. But I still lose hair ever day. My question is... I have had itching /tinglingon my scalp for the past three months. This past few days.. it is gone. Does it mean it the shedding will get better or does it mean that there will be no regrowth? I read some that said itching is a bad sign, but some that say itching is a good sign cause it means new hair is growing.

So should I be depressed that the itching stopped or should I be happy that it means the shedding could stop soon? Please help,
Thanks

Is it normal to get tingling during TE shed??

[VictoriaG]

I get tingling and itching, even burning, on and off. It may last for a few hours or a few days. I'm actually in the middle of a few-days-long one. I find that I shed more when I get the itching. This has been happening periodically for a few years . I don't think it has anything to do with regrowth, but I'm not sure. It just seems to be part of the cycle of whatever is going on. There are a lot of women on this site and the network who experience this. Good luck!

[Dharma2]

The burning may be related to low estrogen. When I first noticed my hair loss, I had a lot of burning of my scalp. Funny thing was even my ears would get red and burn. Once I started hormone therapy the burning stopped completely and never returned. I actually minded the scalp sensations more than the hair loss because I couldn't get my mind off of it. It was so irritating. I tried putting so many different things on it but nothing helped until I got my estrogen back up. Dr. Redmond talks about scalp sensations in his book too. Wish you all the best.

[Dindin]

Thank you for your answers

[bocashore]

I'm new to hair loss and very overwhelmed. For over 3 months I complained to my dermatologist and endocrinologist about a tingly scalp and burning sensation. The dermatologist attributed it to psoriasis or seborrheic dermatitis. After the "psoriasis" cleared up and I had lost 50% of my hair, I again asked whether the scalp sensations and hair loss could be related. Her response, "Could be."

[Dindin]

When you have hair loss and lose a lot of hair fast, it is common to feel the burning scalp and itching. I have had it for over three months already and it makes me crazy. Women who stopped birth control and got hair loss because of it usually exoerience that as well. The itching could also mean regrowth. It's just that so much is going on with your hair follicle sright now that your scalp is very sensitive. It will get better though. Click on the link below to read the article.

http://74.125.113.132/search?q=cache:tdLe9t30I4EJ:ezinearticles.com/%3FShould-Your-Hair-Itch-When-New-Hair-is-Growing%3F-Heres-My-Opinion%26id%3D3577469+why+does+your+scalp+tingle+ or+itch+when+there+is+new+regrowth&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=ca&ie=UTF-8


Din

[pilar]

Hi Dindin,

I've also been suffering from TE after going off bcp. My hair loss has also slowed down a bit (going on 6 months of shedding) but now my scalp is a little itchy and sometimes tingles. This only happens 3-4 times per day. I've read that sometimes this means there is more shedding to come or sometimes it can mean that new hairs are growing. Even though I'm still shedding, I'm also seeing a lot of re-growth.

Are you still having the tingling?

Pilar

[Dindin]

Hey Pilar,

I answered your post on the other thread. Do u have an e-mail address we can communicate through? It is comforting to know we are going through the same thing. Its been 6 months for me. Although I would like to say it is much better rigt now.. I am not even sure if it is still going on... I still have the burning itchy scalp which tells me it is still going on. When is thi sgoing to stop? Do u do anything for the itching??
Din

[pilar]

Hi Din,

I replied to you on the other thread and included my email.

The itching (but no tingling) was really bad in the beginning, then it seemed to stop, but the shedding got worst. Then a few days ago the itching started up again and a little irritation on my scalp. But the itching isn't bad at all. I'll feel a little itch maybe 3-5 times a day and it's not bad where I feel the need to scratch. It's not the same kind of itching that I had in the beginning. But for the last week I;ve been applying a mixture of essential oils in a jojoba oil base every other night and that seems to always help with the itching and irritation. I did get a little worried but the shedding continues to slow down. So for now, I'm trying to stay positive and hopefully all of this will be over soon.

Please feel free to contact me through email.

Stay positive!

Pilar

[kdwmw]

I read somewhere on this forum that itching was high estrogen. So, is itching high & burning low (what if you have BOTH!!!)? My scalp definitely itches before & at the beginning of bad sheds. In fact, I remember being puzzled by the itch way before I realized I was losing tons of hair ( I don't have dry scalp, psoriasis or dandruff). Just seems like there are no straight answers

[Dindin]

I have had both itching and burning for a long time... so I don't think estrogen has anything to do with it. It is now been almost 7 and a half months for me. The shedding is much much better. It is not like before. I shed lightly now, but my hair is still not normal. The itching seems to be better now. Before I would have it every day and it was horrible. now I can go a week without having any, then I would have it agin, and then it goes away. This only started two weeks ago, so maybe it is getting better? Anyhow, when thi sis all over for me, I will sure come back and post my update. I wish I knew if itching meant more shedding or re growth. I guess we will never know.

Din

[Bluebell]

I've heard thats its a sign of growth! but i've also heard that it sometimes means that your scalp is adjusting to your new regimen. =] when I get the tingles though it means a growth spurt. Meantime try a good medicated shampoo. They cost a bit but they might help with the itching and flaking. You can also use myhairway method for hair growth. It still works for me, the hairs are growing longer and thicker.

[Geminigirl]

Thank you for your answers. I tried several experiments with myhairway method.
However, for the past month or two, it seems like my hairline is filling in. My boyfriend even commented how nice and full my hair looks. I definitely feel like I'm getting regrowth.

[shortie]

Hi all, new to the forum but have been losing hair for several years. I read somewhere that burning scalp and hair loss could be signs of Graves disease (hyperthyroidism), which would kind of fit my experience. I'm attacking this bout with lots of B and C vitamins, trying to reduce stress (ha! showering and shampooing and then cleaning up all the hair that fell out is my biggest source of stress!) Dermatoloigsts have been no help, regular doctor suggests rogaine (with a pitying look in his eyes), OB/GYN put me on low dose HRT which made the hair loss much worse and added depression to the problem. I am too angry/upset to cry most days. My husband tries to ignore it and greets me with "hi, beautiful!" when he gets home, which almost makes it worse. If it keeps up, I may just shave and go for a wig this winter. As it's 98 degrees and humid right now, a wig isn't an option. Damn this vanity thing! Oh, anyone have a good doc recommendation in the Washington DC area? Or a place to find out more about lace attachments? Need something that will make it through a rigorous yoga practice - headstands and sweat. Thanks. It feels good to have company, though I sure wish one of us had a silver bullet!

[lisamarie001]

In my endless search for why my hair was falling out I came across information that said iron deficiency causes tingling in the scalp and fingertips. Please get the ferritin test I mentioned in my other posts. Good luck!

[BettyG]

From my experience, tingling has just meant I was using some product that caused a tingling sensation (like shampoo with tea tree oil). Whenever I have new growth i feel SOMETHING... not exactly a tingle though more like I'm just aware that something's going on there

[shortie]

Thanks, Lisamarie, I have an appointment with a derm next week and will ask if they can test. Meanwhile, I've quit the ambien and klonapin I've taken (in very small doses, but still) for years. Not sleeping much yet, but am feeling better and a little hopeful. Scalp is more of a burning sensation, less pleasant than tingling.

[pilar]

BettyG:

When you notice new growth and feel something on your scalp, does it ever itch?

Pilar

[Granny7]

I have had a total increase in hair loss the past 6 months, after having my crown shaved and having a topped attached with glue, with the hair totally covering my hair left on the sides. I noticed after about 3 months that my hair had gotten noticeably 50% thinner on the sides and crown. I let the hair start to grown back in on the top, as I couldn't stand the thought of my head being shaved and then when they took the topper off, I would lose even more hair, where they had either glued it or taped it. The new hair on the crown is so sparse, much more than before I had it shaved for the new topper. I am so depressed over this, that I am sitting her with a scarf wrapped around my head. I can't put my new hair piece, that is 50% lighter than the old one, as my scalp hurts so much and also burns. That started this morning. I don't know what is going on, nothing has been put on it, regular shampoo that I've been using, now it starts to hurt. I have had it tingle before and burn a little, but not all day like this? I am totally babbled about this.

Any suggestions on what to do? I also noticed that some of you have been on Klonopin or Ativan also. I've been on the Ativan for about a year and a half (which is also when my hair started to get worse.) I was on the Klonopin for 5 yrs., for panic attacks and it stopped working, they got worse, so my therapist switched me to Ativan, 1mg. 3 x D. I never knew that either one could be causing hair loss this bad. I was also taken of HRT about 2 yrs. ago, hair wasn't as bad before that happened. I can't even look in the mirror, I am so depressed.

I Haven't had all the blood work done yet, but am finding out a lot on this wonderful site. Am looking for a good Endro doctor, they can be hard to find.

Thanks everyone!

Granny7

[shortie]

Oh, poor you! Re: panic attacks, I've been off Klonapin and ambien for a few months now, and have been taking raw adrenal supplements daily. No new hair growth, but no panic attacks. I feel great, calm, steady, which is just amazing. I suffered with panic attacks for years, went on and off meds for anxiety. Just wanted to float that thought . . .

[Granny7]

Hi, It was so good to hear from you. I had no idea that hair loss could be because of Ativan or Klonopin? I was just checking on some of the sights to read about it. I'm surprised though, that yours hasn't started growing back? Of course, if you have anything else, that could be the cause also.

They wanted to put me on anti-depressants to control my panic attacks, which have gotten worse and I said, "No way!" I've taken them before and hate how they make you feel. Of course the Ativan hasn't helped them, we switched from the other one, thinking it would be better. I think it's actually made them worse. Its going to be fun going off those and my pain medication for my back. I wonder where they are going to put me to get through all of this, oh I forgot that I am going bald also! I am so depressed over that, this circle just doesn't end, does it?

Where did you get the adrenal medication that you are speaking of and did you have any blood work done first to tell you that you adrenals's were not working? So many questions, when your dealing with hair loss.

I sure appreciate you letting me know about the nerve pills. How long did it take for you to titrate off of them and the adrenal drug is really making you feel that well? That is wonderful.

Thanks, Granny7

[shortie]

I did too much reading about hair loss and the different causes, and ran out of money to pay doctors who didn't seem to offer much help. So many things for me pointed toward adrenal fatigue, so I decided to clean up my diet and try the supplement route. The one thing I noticed immediate results from were the raw adrenals. I buy the regular ones at the Vitamin Shoppe in my neighborhood. They offer two formulas: one that has additional vitamins to help with absorption, and those are the ones to go for. The raw adrenal cortex pills I order online, as I haven't found a local source. Give it a try. I love them. I quit the Klonapin cold turkey, but I was taking very little of it. No big side effects, as I was still taking 5 mg ambien at night to sleep. Quit that cold turkey and it took a few weeks to sleep more than an hour or two. Horrible, but I feel so much better. Now I sleep a few hours, wake up, go downstairs to the couch and sleep a few more hours. Not great, but better. Like I said, no new growth that I've noticed, but the incessant shedding has stopped. Good luck! This sure does take the joy out of life sometimes.

[Granny7]

It sounds like you are a very strong person! I had to go off anti-depressants one time, cold turkey and it was horrible. My blood gases were off the charts, so we had to do it. I've tapered off the nerve pills before, it wasn't easy but I think the pain medication is the worse. I've never been on it periodically as long before. Falling and hurting your back several times is not pleasant.

We have a good health food store here, so I'll look into everything that you mentioned. Now why don't they have something there to grow hair with?

Thanks for sharing your story with me.

Granny7

[Julie Anne]

I just started having tingling after having hair loss for over a month. It seems like it started suddenly..I am worried this may be an indication of something worse to come. As well I noticed that I may be losing some smaller hairs (young hairs) and I'm so worried...

I posted my story under Looking for Advice.
http://forum.womenshairlossproject.com/showthread.php?t=990

Maybe based on your experiences you can offer me some advice in that thread??

[pilar]

I've had tingling, itching and burning through out my TE experience. Even now I'll have some light itching here and there, but not as bad as it used to be.

For me, TE began in Nov. 2009 and even though I was still shedding tons ny January, I was also seeing a lot of re growth. In the following months after seeing the re growth, I also noticed I was losing a lot of the shorter hairs. Even now, I still lose some of those shorter hairs. My Derm has told me that this is completely normal - especially after TE. Since the follicles are shocked into the Telogen phase, sometimes it will take them a few runs to get it right. Sometimes the hairs that they produce after TE after thinner and those are called intermidiate hairs.

[NYCGirlie]

My derma made me think I was imagining the tingling, itchy, numb, burning snesations that come and go in different parts of my scalp. I was praying it was regrowth but after reading this, Im not sure sure. When I asked, he said "I dunno what that is from". Based on these posts, I've heard to check iron (ferrittin) and thyroid but mine all came back normal. Any other reasons? Can it be from coming off the bcp Loestrin24? I was only on it a year max ending April 2009.

[pilar]

When I told my derm about the scalp sensations, she didn't seem surprised. She said she's heard this a lot from patients experiencing hair loss. But since studies haven't been done, she couldn't really comment on what they meant.

[Little Star]

Hi Dindin,

I also went through TE. My shedding has now stopped, but my scalp is very sensitive. I did have Seb. Derm, but it is gone now as well. It is sore and I also experience a burning sensation at times. This did not start until after the Seb. Derm went away, which is odd. Not sure what it is at this point, though I have my theories. I go to the dermatologist about it on Wednesday and will let you know what he says.

[shanece33]

I find Glovers, for itchy scalp, to stop the itching and tingling. they sale it in hair stores. The smell is awful but it gets the job done.