Do I have telogen effluvium?

Question

I am a 16 year old male and I have always had thick hair, about 6 months ago I noticed that my hair has been significantly thinning on top and I've been shedding alot. My mothers dad had a full head of hair and my moms brothers started thinning during there early to mid 30's. Also I have a very poor eating habit and my younger brother (age 10) has hairs falling out alot and we both have little white bulbs at the end of each hair thst is shed

Jeff Donovan, MD, PhD · Answer

Without seeing your scalp, it's not possible to say. The most likely explanation for a 16 year old male with thinning in one area of the scalp (ie on the top) accompanied by shedding is male pattern balding. Hair shedding or so called telogen effluvium is also possible but is usually accompanied by hair loss all over the scalp and is quite uncommon in male teenagers. Other causes of hair loss are also possible. Please see a dermatologist for diagnosis and assesssment

William Rassman, MD (retired) · Answer

A male with hair loss at your age, is almost certainly early genetic balding. See a doctor and develop a plan that includes the proper diagnosis and treatment over the next 10 years.  The earlier you start the better

R. Stephen Mulholland, MD (retired) · Answer

Dear Dimitri,

As a 16-year-old male, it would
be very unlikely for you to present with early-onset male pattern hair
loss.  With rapid hair loss at your age,
it is important that you seek the advice of your family physician and look for
causes for hair loss.  There are many
metabolic causes that can stimulate a temporary loss or hair or shock
loss.  Once you have ruled out metabolic,
physiologic, inflammatory or autoimmune causes for this sudden hair loss, then
and only then should genetic male pattern hair loss be the diagnosis.  In general, you will have a strong family
history on the father’s and/or mother’s side and early thinning male pattern
hair loss generally will be present in some male family members.

If you have telogium effluvium,
there are certainly treatments that can be administered that may halt the loss
of your hair.  These treatments include
external laser light therapy, topical minoxidil under the advice of a
physician, injectable hair stimulants, topical medicated hair shampoo and,
lastly and also under the advice of a physician, oral Propecia, which is an
androgen blocker.  All these treatments
come with some medical risk and should only be administered under the
advisement of a physician experienced in hair restoration and the treatment of
thinning hair.

Hair transplantation is not a
solution until all metabolic causes have been ruled out and the male pattern
hair loss has resulted in significant thinning or a balding scalp.

I trust this advice has been of
some assistance and best of luck.

Sincerely,

R. Stephen Mulholland, M.D.

Certified Plastic Surgeon,
Yorkville, Toronto

Do I have telogen effluvium?

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Do I have telogen effluvium?

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