DreamPharm Products:





J Am Acad Dermatol 2002 Dec;47(6):809-18; quiz 818-20

Approach to the adult female patient with diffuse nonscarring alopecia.


Alopecias are traditionally categorized by the presence or absence of scarring and by a diffuse or localized pattern. A common clinical conundrum is that of a woman presenting with the chief complaint of diffuse, nonscarring hair loss. We review the 4 main diagnostic possibilities for this clinical scenario: (1) female pattern hair loss (androgenetic alopecia), (2) acute and chronic telogen effluvium, (3) diffuse alopecia areata, and (4) loose anagen syndrome. We also outline our approach to the individual patient, emphasizing the pertinent history, physical examination, and appropriate diagnostic testing. This approach usually allows the clinician to make a definitive diagnosis or limited differential diagnosis and to offer the patient therapeutic options.


Clin Exp Dermatol 2002 Jul;27(5):396-404

Nutritional factors and hair loss.


The literature reveals what little is known about nutritional factors and hair loss. What we do know emanates from studies in protein-energy malnutrition, starvation, and eating disorders. In otherwise healthy individuals, nutritional factors appear to play a role in subjects with persistent increased hair shedding. Hard, 40 years ago, demonstrated the importance of iron supplements in nonanaemic, iron-deficient women with hair loss. Serum ferritin concentrations provide a good assessment of an individual's iron status. Rushton et al. first published data showing that serum ferritin concentrations were a factor in female hair loss and, 10 years later, Kantor et al. confirmed this association. What level of serum ferritin to employ in subjects with increased hair shedding is yet to be definitively established but 70 micro g/L, with a normal erythrocyte sedimentation rate (< 10 mm/h), is recommended. The role of the essential amino acid, l-lysine in hair loss also appears to be important. Double-blind data confirmed the findings of an open study in women with increased hair shedding, where a significant proportion responded to l-lysine and iron therapy. There is no evidence to support the popular view that low serum zinc concentrations cause hair loss. Excessive intakes of nutritional supplements may actually cause hair loss and are not recommended in the absence of a proven deficiency. While nutritional factors affect the hair directly, one should not forget that they also affect the skin. In the management of subjects with hair loss, eliminating scaling problems is important as is good hair care advice and the need to explain fully the hair cycle. Many individuals reduced their shampooing frequency due to fear of losing more hair but this increases the amount seen in subsequent shampoos fuelling their fear of going bald and adversely affecting their quality of life.


Clin Exp Dermatol 2002 Jul;27(5):366-72

Clinical relevance of hair microscopy in alopecia.


Hair microscopy can clarify the cause of hair loss in a range of diagnoses. Most of these are associated with hair breakage, the rest are related to lack of growth. Hair breakage may be due to excessive trauma or underlying susceptibility, where structural clues may be present. Lack of growth reflects follicular dynamics and represents the central mechanism of most common causes of alopecia. In such conditions, microscopy only reveals nonspecific confirmation of short anagen. Although this may assist clinical diagnosis, microscopy in alopecia only allows exclusion of diagnoses related to hair breakage. Confidence in the outcome of hair microscopy is based on the size of the sample of hairs, the length of the hair, the characteristics of the observations and the experience of the person undertaking the microscopy.


Br J Nurs. 2003 May 8-21;12(9):550-8.

Case study of alopecia universalis and web-based news groups.


This article presents findings from an 18-month case study of a web-based news group used by individuals with alopecia universalis. Content analysis of 228 episodes of web-based communication that occurred in relation to themes of discussion was undertaken, supported by the use of concept mapping (Northcott, 1996). Analysis identified a core concept relating to that of a community of shared experience together with four supportive themes. The themes were the search for understanding and meaning, carrying on, seeking balance between past, present and future, and relating to new self, others, and the world. The article discusses the increased growth in the use of the web as a vehicle for exploring health concerns and the specific ethical and methodological issues raised by research in this area.


Herbs offer many help benefitting phytochemicals that have not yet been fully understood or appreciated by science. Made of famous Chinese traditional herbs, Hair Million is a herbal hair restorati on formula for hair loss problems. Numerous anecdotal cases have demonstrated Hair Million's capability to actually improve the age-related hair thinning and hair loss for a significant fraction of people who take it diligently. It is unknown how Hair Million stops hair loss, and promotes hair growth, despite all the anecdotal observations. Neither scientific research nor placebo controlled clinical trials has been conducted due to the cost. Shortage of scientific/clinical research is not uncommon in herbal/nutritional arena. However, it is not reasonable to stop taking daily food and herbal supplements altogether just because of scietific/clinical support: our life must go on while we strive to better understand food and herb that we consume today. There are two merits that Hair Million enjoys: Firstly, Hair Million is relatively inexpensive, and secondly, it is made only of edible herbs that are known to be safe when they are consumed in regular quantities. For scientifically proven prescription medication, try Propecia.












DHEA has been suggested to provide numerous potential benefits. DHEA (or dehydroepiandrosterone) is converted into androgens (male hormones) or estrogens (female hormones) in the cells.






Herbs and Pharmaceuticals Online|| Best Realtor in Glendale, California: Residential Home and Commercial Property || Related Web pages || Herbs and Pharmaceuticals Online ||