Accidental Dreadlocks (kinda)?

Okay, I am an 18 year old boy, I have fine curly hair, and A LOT of it. Its cut short on one side and long on the other (and at the back) at about shoulder length. I used to straighten it a lot, because my hair knots SO easily and I get dreadlocks. Anyway, I just got so sick of combing them out every night, i decided to leave it for a few days. Its been a couple of months now and the back of my head and part on the side has just completely matted together. You can't tell from looking, but when you feel it its so thick and stuck together. I can't even scratch my head cos i cant get my fingers in to touch my scalp.
The problem is, I have to get a haircut soon and I dont know what to do :c I love having a lot of hair, and I really dont want to shave my head.. I have a fringe that goes to my chin which doesnt really have any knots.. What kind of hairstyle do you think i should go for to fix this problem?

(also, im pretty sure im already going bald. my hairs thin at the temples and receeded about 2 inches in the last year and a half-or-so :c )

There's nothing for it now but to shave the hair unless you want the tedious task of combing the mats out. It will grow back, you know. Since you like long hair, how about getting locks put in intentionally, you don't comb anything out, just get them rolled every few weeks by a loctitian.