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Hair loss, also known as alopecia, can occur on the scalp or throughout the body and can be temporary or permanent. The reasons for hair loss can be due to genetics, hormonal changes, medical conditions, or a natural part of aging. Although anyone can experience hair loss, it is more prevalent in men.
Baldness is a type of hair loss that specifically affects the scalp, and it is often caused by hereditary factors and aging. Some people choose to embrace their hair loss and go without treatment, while others may conceal it with hairstyles, makeup, hats, or scarves. There are also treatments available to stop further hair loss and promote regrowth.
Before seeking treatment for hair loss, it is advisable to consult a doctor to determine the cause of hair loss and to discuss treatment options.
Symptoms
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Hair loss can present itself in various forms, depending on its underlying cause. It can occur suddenly or gradually, and it can be limited to just the scalp or affect the entire body.
The following are signs and symptoms of hair loss:
- Gradual thinning on top of the head. This is the most common form of hair loss, occurring as people age. In men, hair may start to recede at the hairline on the forehead. Women usually have a wider part in their hair. A growing trend of hair loss in older women is a receding hairline (frontal fibrosing alopecia).
- Circular or patchy bald spots. Some individuals may experience hair loss in circular or patchy bald spots on the scalp, beard, or eyebrows. The skin in these areas may become itchy or painful before the hair falls out.
- Sudden hair loss. A physical or emotional shock can cause hair to fall out. Large amounts of hair may come out when combing or washing, or even after a light pull. This type of hair loss typically leads to overall hair thinning but is temporary.
- Full-body hair loss. Certain medical conditions and treatments, such as chemotherapy for cancer, can result in the loss of hair on the entire body. The hair typically grows back.
- Scaling patches on the scalp. This is a symptom of ringworm. It may be accompanied by broken hair, redness, swelling, and sometimes discharge.
Read More: Coconut Oil for Your Hair: Benefits, Uses, and Tips
When to Consult a Doctor
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Consult a doctor if you are concerned about ongoing hair loss in yourself or your child and wish to seek treatment. Women experiencing a receding hairline (frontal fibrosing alopecia) should speak with their doctor about early treatment to prevent significant permanent hair loss.
You should also talk to your doctor if you notice sudden or patchy hair loss, or an excessive amount of hair loss during combing or washing your or your child's hair. Sudden hair loss can indicate an underlying medical issue that requires attention.
What Causes Hair Loss
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It is normal to lose 50 to 100 hairs per day. This is typically not noticeable because new hair is simultaneously growing in. Hair loss occurs when new hair fails to replace the hair that has fallen out.
Hair loss can be caused by several factors including:
- Heredity: The most common cause of hair loss is a genetic condition known as androgenic alopecia or male/female-pattern baldness that occurs as one ages. This condition results in a receding hairline and bald spots in men, and thinning hair along the crown in women.
- Hormonal changes and medical conditions: Hair loss can be permanent or temporary due to various factors such as hormonal changes during pregnancy, childbirth, menopause or thyroid problems. Medical conditions such as alopecia areata (an autoimmune disorder causing patchy hair loss), scalp infections like ringworm and trichotillomania (a hair-pulling disorder) can also cause hair loss
- Medications and supplements: Certain medications such as those used to treat cancer, arthritis, depression, heart problems, gout, and high blood pressure can result in hair loss as a side effect.
- Radiation therapy: Radiation therapy to the head can cause hair loss that may not grow back in the same way as before.
- Stressful events: After a physical or emotional shock, many people experience temporary hair thinning several months later.
- Hairstyles and treatments: Overstyling or tight hairstyles such as pigtails or cornrows can lead to traction alopecia, while hot-oil treatments and permanents can cause hair to fall out. If scarring occurs, the hair loss may become permanent.
- You’re Hard on Your Hair: It is possible that your hair loss is due to your styling routine. Excessive shampoo use, combing or brushing while hair is wet, harsh towel drying, and over-brushing or over-combing can cause damage and breakage to your hair. Tight braids and heavy weaves are also major contributors to breakage.
- You Pull It Out: Trichotillomania, also known as hair-pulling disorder, is a mental health condition that causes an irresistible urge to pull out hair from the scalp, leading to bald patches. This condition can also lead to the desire to pull out eyelashes or eyebrows. It can be difficult to control this behavior.
- Risk factors:
There are several factors that can increase the risk of hair loss, such as:
- Family history of baldness on either the mother or father's side.
- Age.
- Sudden weight loss.
- Medical conditions like diabetes and lupus.
- Stress.
- Poor nutrition.
Prevention
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It is not possible to prevent most types of baldness, such as male-pattern baldness and female-pattern baldness, as they are primarily caused by genetics.
Preventable Hair Loss Prevention Tips:
- Be gentle with your hair. Use a detangler, avoid tugging when brushing or combing, especially when wet, and use a wide-toothed comb to prevent hair loss. Avoid harsh hair treatments such as hot rollers, curling irons, hot-oil treatments, and permanents, and limit tension from styles that use rubber bands, barrettes, and braids.
- Consult your doctor about medications and supplements that may cause hair loss.
- Protect your hair from sunlight and other sources of ultraviolet light.
- Quit smoking, as studies suggest a link between smoking and baldness in men.
- During chemotherapy, consider using a cooling cap to reduce the risk of hair loss
Read More: How to Get Glowing Skin
Source: https://www.mayoclinic.org
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