Hair Loss After Craniotomy
(female)
Previously someone mentioned she had had surgery and was losing hair. The reply was something about stress and medications, and a predispostion to balding. My question is how long does the stress and medications phase last? There does not appear to be a predispostion to balding to any of us in the family. I had a craniotomy 2 months ago and I now have a bald spot in the middle of my head about the size of four quarters. It seems to want to grow and then bends and breaks off. Now what? The reply also stated to see a Dr., but what kind? I have asked my neurologist and my PCP – neither has seen this before and the only response I get is “I think it will grow back.” Not an answer, if they haven’t seen this before. Would a dermatologist work? (I also have what looks like dandruff that attaches itself to the hair. But I can actually hear it when it hits the sink (I take a comb to it occassionally to help remove it.).)Thank You
Hair loss in random patches about the size of a quarter sounds like alopecia areata that can be precipitated by surgery or stress. Also included in the differential diagnosis is telogen effluvium (see article). Your description and condition sounds a bit more complicated than just that, though. You had a craniotomy and there are other issues (things falling from your scalp that makes a sound when hitting the sink?!). I would definitely see a dermatologist.
I had a craniotomy 23 years ago. The area they had to remove was very large, and the area in the centre of the u shaped scar is about the size of my palm. In the last few years, the hair in that area has thinned considerably, and the hair texture is different from the other side. My new hairdresser states that she has run into this problem before with another woman. I think it must have something to do with micro vascular problems, and was wondering if there is anything that might stimulate the circulation? I did some research on Rogaine, but I’m not sure this is a problem for which Rogaine would work.