Need information regarding my hair loss (Photo)

Question

Hello, I’m 24F, who is otherwise healthy, no medical/surgical procedures and no endocrine/hormonal/gynae issues. My blood results including vitamin levels/hormonal profile and inflammatory markers have been normal for the past 3 years. I’ve been noticing for the past 3 years that my hairline is unilaterally slowly losing hair. To the point there are now white patches where hair use to be. Is this likely to be FFA from the images?

Jeff Donovan, MD, PhD · Answer

In some ways, the answer to this question is easy. No, it’s not likely? Is the chance zero? Well, no, but it’s close to it. To diagnose hair loss, one needs a full story, and a good examination (with trichoscopy). Here, I don’t have a good story and I don’t have the chance to examine the scalp. What I have is two blurry and 3 good photos of a very very small amount of the scalp surface area. The photos here are not typical of FFA, no. Not 100 % impossible but extremely unlikely. The hair loss is not perfectly unilateral and the left side is most certainly affected. Good photos of that side would be helpful as well as sideburns, mid-scalp, crown and eyebrows. Other issues like alopecia areata, traction alopecia, telogen effluvium and an asymmetrical early evolution of androgenetic alopecia really need to be ruled out by an experienced physician who can properly examine these areas with trichoscopy. But in response to “is it likely this is FFA?” that answer is no, it’s not likely. But see an experienced physician and don’t think for a moment that photos supercede a good examination by an experienced doctor.

Matt Tahsini, MD · Answer

Hello and thank you for your question.  The simple answer is no it is not likely FFA. It's very difficult to tell anything by looking at pictures.  I recommend you see a reputable dermatologist and get a good examination to determine what's going on. Best of luck to you.

Dr. T

Need information regarding my hair loss (Photo)

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Need information regarding my hair loss (Photo)

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