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I was wondering if anyone had problems with hair loss after having HSE. My Mother's hair is really coming out in places. She also has continued to scratch her head. She did this from the start and still continues to do. She says it itches. I was wondering if this is from the encephalitis.
Falls Encephalitis Norvasc Simvastatin Lamictal Stress Acyclovir
My husband has experienced the itching, fortunately it has decreased. Doctors were baffled by the itching.
He also has experienced hair loss, a great deal of hair loss. In his case, the doctor feels it is the one of medications he is on. He started out with three seizure/psychotic meds. He has been weaned off one of the meds, which the doctor claimed was the reason he experienced severe trembling and it has decreased. Today is the last day of the 2nd med, which the doctor felt was the reason for the hair loss and surprisingly the hair loss is slowing.
Meds have all kinds of reactions. You can (we have) make yourself nuts reading all the reactions each med may produce.
I would also question what her doctors say.
I have HSE & I have hair loss, but it's not so bad. When I checked my meds 2 of them warned about it so I talked to my doctor. If you talk about it mention the dry itchy skin because that might help figure out what it is. Also is it just itchy on her head?
Michelle
I don't have this problem but thinking about your question reminded me that enceph is a brain illness and all of your nerves begin/end in the brain and maybe that section of her brain has been affected and is causing the itching. As the others have said, ask the doctor.
Ingrid
My hair fell out in handfulls 6 months post E came back curly but only in the back. In time lost the curls Now it is as thick and straight as ever. I only remember one other poster who acknowledged the same thing.
Having Encephalitis can cause problems with a person's endocrine system.
Hair loss and burning-itching scalp can be signs of endocrine problems.
Medications given to someone who has had Encephalitis can cause hair loss. Even something as simple as taking Lamictal can cause hair loss.
My Suggestions:
Review all medications with a Pharmacist for "Hair Loss"
Have your regular doctor inspect the scalp for dermatological problems or infestation.
See a Dermatologist or Endocrinologist depending on the doctor's physical examination.
- just my personal thoughts...
-dannon
I take iron supplements or my hair falls out.
Apology... it appears that PinkLinky joined us merely to sell her wares... everything from Mary Kay makeup and skin care to wigs.
I have deleted her posting here and reported her to be removed from our Forum.
My hair also fell out in handfuls a few months post encephalitis which sort of freaked me out but it stopped falling out at about the 5 month mark.
My hair seemed to come out in handfuls and it scared me. The Doctors said that it is normal after such a bad illness to have hair loss. Stress and the drugs caus thining of the hair. As my body got used to the drugs and settled after E, I had no further hair loss. To which I was very releaved. Hope this is the same for your Mum.
Cheers Sandy
Boy, hair loss...what an understatement. My hair fell out like I was being sheared. Clumps. I could pull out sections of it. I asked the doc about it and he said..."Well, you were very sick. It's not uncommon for that to happen". It seemed uncommon for that to happen but it did grow back after several months. I never even thought much about my hair until it fell out. Then it was a big deal.
Thanks, everyone for your responses. I know that seizure medications can cause some but was wondering if this was more common from the HSE. We have an appointment with my Mother's neurologist on November 2. I really feel that the itiching is from the nerves (brain) due to the fact that she starting scratching her head shortly after the disease started even while she was unconscious. this was something new for her.
Lamictal definitely has caused hair thinning for me. I have hair clips I've had forever. that won't stay in no matter what I try to do. It's just another thing... it's better than being emotionally labile. I'd take being bald over that any day.
I didn't have itching per say, I had sharp shooting pains all over my body, like someone jabbed me with a hat pin, the ones in my head where the worst.
Hope the doctors will be able to help.
~hen
i had a big bald spot after i got better and was diagnosed with alopecia, no one knows why or if it was a result of the E
sally
My mother is 73 and has just finished her last Acyclovir IV. She was diagnosed with HSE after having a flu shot the week before.
I noticed her hair thinning the first week and it has gotten worse these past two weeks. She is also on Norvasc (high blood pressure and Simvastatin (cholesterol) meds.
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