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What Causes Slow Healing Of Wounds And Severe Hair Loss?
Hi, I am having wounds that don t heal...... Nothing major, but anything like an ant bite, or a needle puncture, even a bun is all leaving scars..... I m not picking at them, but they are still leaving scars. I am also losing my hair on my head. Lots of hair. I m pretty sure that I have alopecia.
posted on
Mon, 12 Dec 2016
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Thu, 12 Jan 2017
Answered on
Fri, 13 Jan 2017
Last reviewed on
Hi,
There are many causes of poor healing and hair loss. I will suggest the most common causes to not overwhelm you. Vitamin and mineral deficiencies are the most frequent reversible causes. I suggest that you do a blood test, a complete blood count to ensure that you are not anemic and also test for iron levels, B12, folic acid and vitamin D.
Iron deficiency aaemia can result in hair loss and poor healing. If you are deficient, the symptoms will resolve with iron supplements. Likewise if you are deficient in Vitamin D, symptoms will resolve with vitamin D supplements. Taking 1g of vitamin C daily has been shown to aid in wound healing. If you are not anemic and do not have any deficiencies then you will have to visit your doctor to rule out auto immune conditions as well as common medical conditions such as hypothyroidism.
If you are diagnosed with alopecia, there are many topical applications available, that is Betnovate, Protopic that will stimulate hair growth. Your dermatologist will have to clinically assess your scalp and prescribe these topical treatments if required.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Felicia Manickam
There are many causes of poor healing and hair loss. I will suggest the most common causes to not overwhelm you. Vitamin and mineral deficiencies are the most frequent reversible causes. I suggest that you do a blood test, a complete blood count to ensure that you are not anemic and also test for iron levels, B12, folic acid and vitamin D.
Iron deficiency aaemia can result in hair loss and poor healing. If you are deficient, the symptoms will resolve with iron supplements. Likewise if you are deficient in Vitamin D, symptoms will resolve with vitamin D supplements. Taking 1g of vitamin C daily has been shown to aid in wound healing. If you are not anemic and do not have any deficiencies then you will have to visit your doctor to rule out auto immune conditions as well as common medical conditions such as hypothyroidism.
If you are diagnosed with alopecia, there are many topical applications available, that is Betnovate, Protopic that will stimulate hair growth. Your dermatologist will have to clinically assess your scalp and prescribe these topical treatments if required.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Felicia Manickam
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