My Hair is Shedding Evenly All Over My Head

As a 21 year old, I’ve noticed my hair getting thinner and dryer, it’s just not the same thick and healthy hair I’ve had all my life. It sheds like crazy, there’s hair all over my desk and often clothes. The only weird part is that, the hair shedding is occurring pretty evenly all over my head, everyone tells me my hairline and crown are absolutely normal, not juvenile “normal” but not “balding,” and that I’m crazy.

I know only a doctor’s visit in person can make a diagnosis, but could you at least help me out by telling me whether or not this sort of hair behavior is normal or possible for MPB? I thought MPB was unique in that loss occurred in a pattern, but there’s not really any pattern whatsoever. Does telogen effluvium also effect hair density, because I’ve crash dieted numerous times about 7-9 months ago, while also enduring insanely gripping stress.

Would it be wise to start minoxidil, because I don’t even know where i’d apply it if it’s occurring all over.

also, If health insurance is an issue, what type of doctor would you advise I see if I’m paying out of pocket?

I wouldn’t advise you to start a drug treatment program without knowing what you have to begin with. You know that you need to see a doctor for a diagnosis, so that should be the place you start. A hair transplant doctor should be able to determine what’s what. Some clinics offer free consultations, but you can check for a doctor in your area by using the physician search at ISHRS.org. If you want to run it through insurance, you can try a dermatologist.

Male patterned baldness (MPB) is hair loss in a pattern that affects about 50% of the male population to some degree. Generalized balding and diffuse balding is different and there may be other medical issues that are causing the loss you’re seeing. The stress and crash dieting can’t be helping.