I Was Diagnosed with Stress-Related Hair Loss or Alopecia

Hi Doctors,

I’m new to this blog, as I just started noticing my hair loss about 3 months ago. I’m a 30-year-old woman, and 3 months ago I had a healthy head of hair. Now it seems that every time I look in the mirror, more and more is thinned out along the part. I have a bald spot now. I’ve seen a couple dermatologists and one GP, and they’ve wavered between diagnosing me with just stress-related hair loss, or androgenetic alopecia.

I’m a little skeptical about the alopecia diagnosis because the hair loss is so fast. Like I said, 3 months ago, I was fine. I was wondering if it is possible that I may have a fungus or bacterial infection on my scalp? I travel a lot and have just returned to the US from living in Africa for the past year. It would not be the first time that I’ve somehow contracted a fungus or some sort of skin infection.

I mentioned this to my doctor and he may do a scalp biopsy. Do you happen to know, whereabouts, how much such a procedure costs? I have no insurance at this time, but regardless, it would be worth it to get it done to save my hair.

Thank you so much for any information you could provide.

You clearly have a problem and you need a good, knowledgeable doctor to manage your situation. Much can be learned by getting a hair pull test and a miniaturizationstudy. This can be done at the time the doctor visit occurs. Cultures of the scalp (to check for diseases that you may have contracted in Africa) need to be assessed as well as looking for chronic telogen effluvium, diffuse alopecia areata, and others. Good luck.