Scalp Is Itching, But Not Inflamed or Red

Doc,

I am 23 and for the past three years I have experienced an itchy scalp and hair loss. About a year ago I went to the doctor and he said to use anti-dandruff shampoo. However this has done nothing to cure the itchiness of the scalp, which seems to be associated with hairloss, with both becoming more intense over the last six months. It seems to be rapid thinning across the crown and top midline where prior it was a slow receeding hairline. My question is why the sudden change from a slow receeding hairline to rapid hairloss and why the itchiness that is associated with the hairloss, knowing that my scalp is not red or inflamed. Sometimes it feels like a crawling sensation across the scalp.Also, I am thinking of taking propecia to slow the hair loss. Is this wise? What should I know before starting?

Dry scalp tends to cause an itchy scalp. The more you scratch or think about your scalp, the more you will scratch your scalp. Excessive scratching can cause hair loss if it pulls the hair as you scratch (called trichotillomania). I am not certain if there is a true relationship between itchy scalp and hair loss. I believe taking Propecia would help with Male Pattern Baldness (MPB), but as I have said many times on this blog, you need to have a diagnosis first. Propecia could either regrow hair, stop the hair loss, or slow down the process of hair loss in someone with real male genetic hair loss.