Severe Histamine Reaction to Hair Transplant
Dear Dr. Rassman,
I was reading through your blog with regards to histamine positive scalp. (Which I have). My question has to do with autoimmune response and hair transplants. I have a very over-active auto-immune response to some things, especially poison ivy/oak.
Several years ago (2006, age 50 at the time) I had a transplant done. Top-flight hair transplant surgeon! My hair was relatively dense, with receding hairline. The histamine reaction to the transplant was severe, with a tender and red scalp for over 8 months. Today, I have lost over 50% of my 2006 density, my hair has turned nearly white (was salt and pepper), and miniturization is everywhere (when there was none prior to transplant in 2006). A prolonged histamine response can cause antibodies to attack the body (or follicles). I am convinced this is what happened. Any thoughts from the information I have given you?
Well, if you are convinced that is what has happened, what more can I say?
I do not know of histamine response connected with hair loss. Maybe you need an allergist or a good diagnosis of what is going on with your hair. Maybe you have diffuse unpatterned alopecia (DUPA), which is causing more thinning everywhere. I really do not know without examining you.
I realize you are trying to establish a cause and effect relationship between histamine and hair loss, but I do not know how it is relating. When I talk about histamine reaction of the on the scalp it is the redness that a person sees when you scratch the skin/scalp. Your body releases histamine and makes the skin turn red temporarily. This is not an autoimmune response you are referring to. This is not the histamine reaction from poison ivy/oak. Moreover, histamine is used by your body in many other ways (other than auto-immune related). So you see, biochemistry and our human body is very complicated.
Hi, thanks for useful information. I have several tips before your hair transplantation
• The procedure and technology of the hair transplantation are always developed. So, you have to learn about it, and gather a lot of latest and updated information about the hair transplantation, the way it works, the procedure, and how the result appeared from it before you decide. At least, you have to know about the hair transplantation method today such as ultra refined grafting, follicular unit grafting, micrograft, etc.
• Consult with the hair transplantation patient, about what they’ve done, gather a lot of information and success stories of their hair transplantation. This is very important for you. You could decide more accurately about the hair transplantation clinic you’re going to choose.
• Talented, skillful and experienced surgeon will be absolutely determine your hair transplantation result. You’ve spent a lot of money for this transplant, so make sure that your money will not go for wasted.
• The cost of the hair transplantation might be different from one clinic to the others. So, it’s not wrong if you make comparisons between several hair transplantation clinics, including the results, recovery time, technology, and procedure.
• Make sure that your clinic and the hair transplantation procedure have ben certified by the FDA and not a fake hair growth products.
• Ask your doctor or the clinic about the post hair transplantation care. You should know whether the cost has including the vitamins, supplements, or any after-care or not.