I Have Diffuse Thinning, But It’s Different From the Genetic Balding Patterns in My Family
Dr Rassman,
I am a 24-year old male, I have always had extremely fine hair from the time I was a small child. In the past six months or so, however, I’m not sure if I just noticed it more, or if I am actually going bald. I could always see my scalp when wet, in certain lighting, etc., but now I’m not sure if this is just the way I am, or if it is worse now. I have very little balding in my family. My dad has a full head of hair at 51, as do my uncles on his side (whom are all older). My maternal grandfather is a Norwood 4 or 5, but did not really start losing his hair till around the age of 50 my mom said. One of three uncles on mom’s side is balding however. He is a Norwood 3 or 4 at the age of 40 (The other uncles on mom’s side, full heads of hair.) My hair still has the normal hairline, and no balding at the crown, but instead its thinning throughout the whole top. This is not the same pattern that these two men’s hair has taken (which worries me more). My questions are, what is the likelihood of going bald without it really being in your genes? I have also been a vegetarian for 6 years, and am wondering if this could be a factor? Also if I am going bald, would’nt it most likely take the same pattern (and start at around the same age) as the uncle and grandfather who are experiencing this as well? Very sorry for the long question, and thank you so much for the time and reply.
You really can not predict with any degree of certainly what the pattern of hair loss would be or even when it might start. If your hair loss is really diffuse, then you might have Diffuse Unpatterned Alopecia (DUPA) and should be evaluated with mapping out your scalp for miniaturization. This will point directly to the diagnosis if it is DUPA or genetic hair loss. DUPA will show miniaturization in the donor area, while genetic hair loss will show a normal donor area without miniaturization.
Hey man,
I’m also 24. Reading your question seems to be exactly my case. I thoguht it was a question I wrote actually until reading further! I have no history of any baldness in my family. My hairline is as like it’s always been. My hair is short but not like buzzed. I could always see scalp but wasn’t sure if it was b/c of my wavy short hair or b/c of thinning. The back crown of my head also looks like it’s always been. My dermatologist said it was thinning hair, but I am still uncertain. I am on minoxidil 5% now. I also have this theory that it could have been caused from takin creatine and/or Muscle Milk over the course of a couple years.
I’m 20, and I have the same case too! but it started two years ago or maybe more I don’t remembr .. doctor told me that it’s because of stress!
can eczema of the scalp does that?