Loss Of Hair? The Partial Or Total Loss Of Hair Is Called Alopecia

Considerations: Hair loss occurs gradually and can happen by patches or generalized (diffuse). People lose about 100 hairs from their head every day. The scalp contains about 100,000 hairs.

Causes

HERITAGE: Both men and women tend to lose thickness and amount of hair with age. This type of baldness is usually not caused by a disease and is related to aging, heredity and changes in hormone testosterone. Hereditary or "patterned" baldness affects men much more than women. Male pattern baldness can happen at any time after puberty. About 80% of all men show signs of male pattern baldness at the age of 70 years.

PHYSICAL OR EMOTIONAL STRESS

Physical or emotional stress can cause the fall of half to three quarters of hair on the scalp. This type of hair loss is called telogen effluvium. The hair tends to come out in bundles while the shampoo is applied, it is combed or the hands are passed through the hair. You may not notice this for weeks to months after the stress episode. The hair dumbbell will decrease for 6 to 8 months. Telogen effluvium is usually temporary, but may become prolonged (chronic).

The causes of this type of hair loss are:

High fever or severe infection

Birth

Major surgery, severe illness, sudden bleeding

Intense Emotional Stress

Drastic diets, especially those that do not contain enough protein

Drugs, including retinoids, birth control pills, beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, certain antidepressants, NSAIDs (including ibuprofen)

Some women between the ages of 30 and 60 may notice a thinning of the hair that affects the entire scalp. Hair loss can be plentiful at first, and then diminishes or stops gradually. There is no known cause for this type of telogen effluvium.

OTHER CAUSES

Other causes of hair loss, especially if it is an unusual pattern include:

Alopecia areata (patches of baldness that occur on the scalp, beard and possibly eyebrows. Lashes may also fall).

Anemia.

Autoimmune disorders such as lupus.

Burns.

Certain infectious diseases such as syphilis.

Excessive use of shampoo and drier.

Hormonal changes.

Thyroid diseases.

Nervous habits such as pulling out the hair continuously or rubbing the scalp.

Radiotherapy.

Ringworm of the head (ringworm of the scalp).

Tumor of the ovary or adrenal glands.

Hairstyles that put too much strain on the hair follicles.

Home Care

Hair loss from menopause or childbirth often goes away after 6 months to 2 years later.

For hair loss due to illness (such as fever), radiation therapy, use of medicine or other causes, no treatment is required. The hair will grow again when the disease has stopped or treatment has been completed. You can wear a wig, hat, or other coating until your hair grows back.

Hair extensions, hair stylers or styling changes can hide hair loss. Generally, this method is the least expensive and the safest method for hair loss. The hairdressers should not be sutured (sewn) to the scalp due to the risk of scarring and infection.

When to Contact a Medical Professional

Call your health care provider if you have any of the following:

Hair loss in an atypical pattern.

Loss of hair quickly or at an early age (for example, in the teenage years or between 20 and 30 years).

You have pain or itching with hair loss.

Scalp skin under the affected area is red, flaky, or has some other abnormality.

You have acne, facial hair or irregularities in your menstrual cycle.

She is female and has male pattern baldness.

Baldness patches on the beard or eyebrows.

Increased weight or muscle weakness, intolerance to low temperatures or fatigue.

Areas of infection in the scalp.

What to expect at your health care provider's office

A careful history and physical examination of the hair and scalp are usually sufficient to diagnose the cause of hair loss.

Your care provider will ask detailed questions about:

Symptoms of hair loss. If there is a pattern in hair loss or if you are losing hair on other parts of the body too, if other family members are losing hair.

How to take care of your hair. How often do you use shampoo and dryer or if you use hair products.

Your emotional well-being and whether you have been under a lot of stress.

Your diet, if you have made changes recently.

A recent illness such as a high fever.

Tests that may be done (but rarely needed) include:

Blood tests to rule out a disease

Microscopic examination of a plucked hair

Skin biopsy

If you have ringworm on your scalp, your doctor may prescribe an oral medication for you to take. Creams and lotions applied to affected areas may not penetrate the hair follicles to remove fungus.

Your health care provider may prescribe a solution, such as minoxidil, that is applied to the scalp to stimulate hair growth. Other medications, such as hormones, may be prescribed to decrease hair loss and promote growth. Men can take drugs like finasteride and dutasteride to decrease hair loss and generate new hair growth.

You can also recommend a hair transplant. With regard to treatments, acnewitchhazel.com .