For the past few months, I’ve noticed I’m losing more hair than usual—clumps in the shower drain and a brush full of hair after combing. On top of that, my dandruff has gotten worse, and trying different shampoos hasn’t helped, which made me a bit anxious. I managed to get an appointment with my GP to learn more about seeing a doctor in Spain, and I successfully got a referral to a dermatologist. I just had my scalp examination last week at a public hospital in Madrid, and I want to share the whole process and my experience to hopefully help others with similar problems.
The Examination Process Is Actually Very Simple
Once at the dermatology clinic, the doctor started by asking me some basic questions: how long I’ve had hair loss, if there’s a family history of it, and if I’ve been under a lot of stress or been sick recently. The questions were quite detailed, similar to other [hospital check-ups in Spain]. Then, he took out a device that looked like a magnifying glass connected to a computer screen and moved it across my scalp. This procedure is called a Tricoscopia (trichoscopy). It’s painless and the whole thing only took about ten minutes. As the doctor examined my scalp, he showed me the condition of my scalp and hair follicles on the screen, pointing out areas with low follicle density, signs of inflammation, and the specifics of my dandruff. Seeing a magnified view of my own scalp was a pretty surreal experience.
What Advice Did the Doctor Give?
After the examination, the doctor told me I have a common condition: telogen effluvium associated with seborrheic dermatitis. He said it wasn’t too severe and advised me not to be overly anxious, as stress can worsen hair loss. He prescribed two medications: a medicated shampoo and a topical hair growth solution, both of which were very affordable after being covered by public health insurance. He specifically emphasized that I must use them consistently for at least 3-6 months to see results and shouldn’t give up after just a week or two if I don’t see immediate improvement.
Here are some of the lifestyle tips the doctor gave me, which are simple but very practical:
| Category | Specific Advice |
|---|
| Diet | Eat more foods rich in protein, iron, and vitamins, such as lean meat, fish, eggs, and leafy green vegetables. |
| Lifestyle Habits | Try to maintain a regular sleep schedule, avoid staying up late, learn to de-stress, and get moderate exercise. |
| Hair Care | Don’t wash your hair with water that is too hot, avoid frequent perming or dyeing, and don’t scratch your scalp hard with your fingernails. |
Overall, my experience addressing my scalp issue at the Spanish hospital was quite positive. The doctor was professional, patient, and explained everything clearly. If you also have hair loss, dandruff, or other scalp problems, instead of guessing or randomly trying products, I highly recommend making an appointment with a doctor—it’s the most reliable approach, especially when it comes to [medical visits in Spain]. Since it’s covered by health insurance, the examination and prescriptions don’t cost much. The most important thing is to find out the root cause and get the right treatment. Hope everyone’s hair stays healthy and strong!
