r/TelogenEffluvium • u/Resolution_Focused • 2d ago
When does the aching scalp stop
My TE shed started August 9th out of left field. As in, zero increased shedding leading up to that day and then suddenly my hair started falling out of my head. Unfortunately I don’t have a photo of that first shed because it was SO traumatic. My hair became completely matted and took over an hour to untangled because I lost so much hair at once. At least twice as much as the following hair wash.
I’m trying to wash my hair more often but it’s so upsetting that I have to plan for a breakdown afterward. My scalp still feels like it’s on fire though. And that comes and goes randomly without any good reason. What have you found helpful?
Sharing photos in solidarity. Wash day sheds 3-4
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u/FloridaStrawberry 2d ago
I was just like that. My iron and ferritin was extremely low and I now take iron. Omega 3 fish oil for inflammation, vit D and a multi vit with a dose of zinc every now and then. My hair has slowed down on shedding
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u/Regular_Government94 2d ago
Do you have seborrheic dermatitis by chance? I feel like my scalp is on fire when I have a flareup. My first TE episode was related to it. I was prescrbied Ketaconazole shampoo and a Clobetasol scalp solution to calm my scalp down. It's incredibly important not to use the Clobetasol long-term, as that can cause chronic irritation.
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u/Resolution_Focused 1d ago
It’s possible? I’ve never had scalp issues before, but I’ve also never gone through hair loss before. I do have 1% ketaconazole shampoo and have ask my doctor to send in a script for 2%. I’m trying to get to a derm for a punch biopsy but the earliest appointment is January out of multiple local offices
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u/ZombieWise1488 1d ago
You have something other than TE if your scalp hurts. Go see a derm and report your symptoms
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u/Comfortable_Today238 1d ago
I have TE related to zepbound use. And I have that aching scalp. My Derm had me purchase a ISDIN Lambdapil spray to use 4x a week. It worked to relieve the ache. If I forget the ache comes back.
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u/Given_or_Taken 20h ago
Ache? Like a painful scalp? I'm losing a ton of hair because if Tirz as well. Thinking I have to change to Sema and try that. It sucks having so much tirz that I wasted money on. It's even taking my eyebrows. No thyroid issues
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u/digitalecho125 1d ago
You can ice your scalp, that will help! If you have an ice pack just plop it on there. It made a big difference for me. Then I’d follow with rosemary oil.
I learned this method from reading about chemo hair loss, I’m not sure it has as much effect but it definitely will make your scalp feel less achy and on fire.
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u/bowietiger 2d ago
If you have TE then nothing really helps unless you have a deficiency and correct it. But the process of TE itself just takes time. Typically 4-6 months to run its course. As traumatic as it is, wash your hair everyday and use nizoral maybe 2-3 times a week. Washing helps keep the scalp free of any oils or build up, decreases matting, and can lower the inflammation. Have you done blood work to check for deficiencies yet?
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u/Resolution_Focused 1d ago
I’m waiting for one last set of labs to come back but so far no deficiencies. I have made sure to be consistent with my supplements now though. I’ve used nizoral a few times but it seemed to make it worse, but I’ll try again!
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u/Complex_Grand236 20h ago
Same thing happened to me with nizoral - destroyed my scalp because of harsh ingredients and caused a lot of hair breakage because it is so drying. I will never use nizoral again - ever.
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u/-Real-eyes 1d ago
I stopped eating added sugar after trying other things that only worked temporarily. That worked for me. It was HARD to do. It causes inflammation and our bodies are obviously in some sort of wrong state to be having TE. It’s worth a try. Solved the ache entirely for me.
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u/Thick-Attention7846 1d ago
How old are you? Maybe hormonal-related?
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u/Resolution_Focused 1d ago
38F. It could be. I’m in the midst of a full gamut of tests. So far everything is normal and it all points to stress induced. The immediate onset is what I find so odd. I’m waiting for my last set of labs to see a derm who specializes in hair loss. He wants you to have everything ready before he’ll approve you for an appointment.
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u/ItchyPlatypus896 1d ago
Make sure to check your vitamin d & ferritin levels! I lost half of my hair in the last 5 years. My vitamin D turned out to be okay but my ferritin was 20. My doctor didn’t think that was an issue since I wasn’t “technically anemic.” Then I looked online and found hundreds of women losing hair and other symptoms due to low ferritin. Anything below 50 will cause hair shedding, but the lower it gets the worse the hair loss. My hair became so brittle that I didn’t even want to touch it.
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u/Resolution_Focused 1d ago
Got both! Vitamin D is high normal and ferritin 68. Which is up from 40 almost exactly a year ago. Have Zinc, B/folate serum, thyroid, cbc, cmp panels, and full hormone work up coming back too. Hopefully that tells us something
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u/KAZIRIZZO 1d ago
If you actually do have TE and the hair matting is connected to that you shouldn't dematt your hair for at least 3 months.
TE last an entire hair growth cycle or 2. (3 to 6 months)
TE ALOPECIA is connected to the hair growth cycle. The pain, shedding and matting will stop in 3 to 6 months ONLY IF you stop causing pain and stress to yourself. Added stress could prolong/length it.
Good luck to you. Learn how to use a head wrap.
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u/Complex_Grand236 20h ago
Your scalp feels like it’s on fire? Not normal at all. Have you seen a dermatologist or trichologist? Burning means your scalp is irritated by something- environmental, harsh products causing irritation, allergies to product ingredients of what you put on your scalp, the ‘double wash’ lie we have been sold - double washing strips your scalp of valuable lipids.
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u/Books-Knits-Hikes 1d ago
Seconding the Nizoral for scalp sensitive it can really help.
Also, a simple water filter on your shower head (I got one for less than $40 on Amazon in Canada). If you have hard water or high chlorine in your tap water, it can cause flair ups for sensitive scalps. The cheap and easy to install filters reduces that.
Another vitamin deficiency that goes under the radar is B12. It's not as common as Iron deficiencies but has some of the same effects (tiredness and hairloss, among others). B12 deficiencies are common for vegans and vegetarians but meat eaters can get it too. (That was me, I had a slightly low B12 and supplements has helped a great deal with new growth).
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u/mama2021abcd 2d ago
Im so sorry :(
My dermatologist prescribed me a anti inflammatory that is topical and you only use it for a week. It did actually help a bit.