For a pastor and minister active in his community, acne keloidalis nuchae became more than a concern about the back of his scalp. He describes losing confidence, worrying about how others saw him, and reaching a point where he had given up. A previous procedure had also made him reluctant to seek further surgery.
The Weight of Being Seen
“You actually gave up,” Dr. Sanusi Umar asks. “I did, I did,” the man replies. His answer sets the tone for an exchange about the daily burden of a visible scalp condition.
He explains that he is “always wondering what people are thinking” when they see the back of his head. As someone serving his community as a pastor and minister, he says the experience affects both his life and his confidence. The concern is not simply how his scalp looks, but how that visibility follows him into encounters with other people.
Why Another Procedure Felt Difficult
The pastor recalls that an incision from an earlier procedure became inflamed. That experience, he says, “just added more fuel to the fire.” He did not want to try another clinician or undergo another surgery. His hesitation is an important part of the conversation: before any next step, the physician must hear why a patient has become wary of treatment.
The chapter does not establish the details of the earlier operation or explain what caused the incision to become inflamed. What it does make clear is the effect that experience had on the pastor’s willingness to consider further care.
Dr. Umar Examines the Scalp
During the evaluation, Dr. Umar draws attention to crusting and redness. “That’s inflammation,” he explains, describing it as “severe inflammation.” His assessment shifts the conversation from the pastor’s fears to what he is observing clinically and what needs to be considered.
Dr. Umar also makes a careful distinction between experience and certainty. He says his team has a good track record, but adds that there is no guarantee. The pastor acknowledges the point. For someone who has already lost trust after a difficult experience, this straightforward discussion matters.
The chapter leaves the next decision open. It shows a patient explaining what brought him to the point of giving up, and a physician evaluating his scalp without promising a particular result.
Watch the Chapter
Follow this conversation in The Bumpinator short chapter reel:
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Medical Disclaimer
This article is for educational purposes only and describes one patient’s experience. Individual cases vary. It is not a substitute for personalized medical evaluation or advice.
Further Reading
- https://dru.com/acne-keloidalis-nuchae-pastor-chalmers-scalp-evaluation/
- Umar, Sanusi et al. “A Retrospective Cohort Study and Clinical Classification System of Acne Keloidalis Nuchae.” The Journal of clinical and aesthetic dermatology vol. 14,4 (2021): E61-E67.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8142833/
