17 and balding! HELP ME PLEASE

[Freak]

I've been losing my straight asian hair since I was 14, and I've noticed a receding hairline about half a year back. I've always had the impression that I was balding because my dad is bald and my mum's hair is thinning. But everytime I talk to them and tell them that I want to see a doctor, they just say I'm paranoid and that it's normal for everyone to lose hair. I get extremely agitated when they say that. It's as if they don't value my opinion and I don't have their support. My hair is really becoming thin all over my head. When I shampoo, I see alot of hair on my palm and I hate looking at myself in the mirror after I bath because I can see my scalp.

Also, when I run my fingers through my hair, I can feel my scalp very easily. It's like I have so little hair. I also have semi-long hair. I don't want to cut it in fear of my scalp being obvious with short hair. Does having long hair affect hair fall in any way?

Even as I'm typing I see strands of hair on the table...

I know I'm not the worst case scenario where it's extremely obvious that I'm balding, but it's really stressing me out. Even after 3 years I still haven't seen any results after using all sorts of shampoo (Dove Hair Fall etc.)

Does humidity affect hair fall? Because I'm from Singapore and the weather here is pretty hot and humid...

I've also heard of propecia, but I don't know how exactly it helps.
Are there any proven home remedies, or hair care tips for someone with my condition? I'd greatly appreciate any help.

Thanks!

[Paul McAndrews, MD]

I've been losing my straight asian hair since I was 14, and I've noticed a receding hairline about half a year back. I've always had the impression that I was balding because my dad is bald and my mum's hair is thinning. But everytime I talk to them and tell them that I want to see a doctor, they just say I'm paranoid and that it's normal for everyone to lose hair. I get extremely agitated when they say that. It's as if they don't value my opinion and I don't have their support. My hair is really becoming thin all over my head. When I shampoo, I see alot of hair on my palm and I hate looking at myself in the mirror after I bath because I can see my scalp.

Also, when I run my fingers through my hair, I can feel my scalp very easily. It's like I have so little hair. I also have semi-long hair. I don't want to cut it in fear of my scalp being obvious with short hair. Does having long hair affect hair fall in any way?

Even as I'm typing I see strands of hair on the table...

I know I'm not the worst case scenario where it's extremely obvious that I'm balding, but it's really stressing me out. Even after 3 years I still haven't seen any results after using all sorts of shampoo (Dove Hair Fall etc.)

Does humidity affect hair fall? Because I'm from Singapore and the weather here is pretty hot and humid...

I've also heard of propecia, but I don't know how exactly it helps.
Are there any proven home remedies, or hair care tips for someone with my condition? I'd greatly appreciate any help.

Thanks!

First of all, you should be evaluated by a Dermatologist to determine the cause of your hair loss. Hair loss can be caused by numerous things (just like stomach pain has many causes and each is treated differently).
Secondly, shedding of hair is normal in humans. Humans shed 50-100 hairs a day. There are occasions when human’s hair follicles synchronize which causes excessive shedding (similar to a cat or a dog). This is usually due to trauma and is called Telogen Effluvium. The good thing about Telogen Effluvium is that it will get better. Shedding is not the cause of male patterned hair loss (i.e.- you never see cats or dogs bald, but they shed much more than humans). Male pattern hair loss is secondary to the hair shaft miniaturizing until you cannot see it anymore and the best medical treatment presently is Propecia.
Here are the answers to your specific questions-

Does having long hair affect hair fall in any way? No. Hair follicles cyclically grow hair—there is a certain period of time the hair will grow then it will shed and a new hair will start growing in that hair follicle. Therefore it does not matter if the hair is long or short, it will be shed at a specific time (it is just easier to notice the longer hairs).
Does humidity affect hair fall? No.
Are there any proven home remedies, or hair care tips for someone with my condition? You need to see a dermatologist in order to determine your condition.

Sincerely,

[HelpROGER]

You need to tell you parents and have them take you to a doctor like Dr. McAndrews said. Propecia might be worth a shot if your MD says it's OK.

[Winston]

Forget about the home remedies kid, if there were proven home remedies no one would be bald and this forum would not exist. Listen to the doctor and the people here.
Good luck!