Overview
Hair loss can happen for many different reasons and, in most cases, is a temporary issue. Alopecia is the overarching medical term for hair loss. Although perceived as being a ‘male issue’, anyone can lose hair on their head. Sometimes, hair loss is permanent and can affect your scalp or entire body. This can result from genetic or hormonal changes, other medical conditions or a normal part of ageing.
See a doctor if you have sudden hair loss, lose hair in clumps, develop bald patches, or your head itches and burns.
Key Facts
- Hereditary hair loss is the most common cause of hair loss.
- Statistically, hereditary pattern baldness is more likely to be inherited from the mother’s side of the family, but hair loss can be passed down from either side of the family.
- More than 50 per cent of men have male pattern hair loss by the age of 50.
- By the time they hit menopause, 40 per cent of women will have female pattern hair loss.
- Unfortunately, certain drugs can cause hair loss. Many of them are used to treat cancer, arthritis, depression, heart problems, and high blood pressure, but in most cases, hair loss is temporary.
- Thyroid imbalance and iron deficiency are reversible causes of hair loss.
- Hair loss can, in most cases, be treated.
Symptoms & Diagnosis
Symptoms
Symptoms of hair loss may include:
- Circular or patchy bald spots
- Sudden loss of hair
- Patches of scaling that spread over the scalp
- Gradual thinning on top of the head
- Full-body hair loss
Diagnosis
To make a diagnosis, a doctor will likely give you a physical exam and ask about your diet, your hair care routine, and your medical and family history. Your doctor may also do some blood tests, which might help uncover medical conditions that can cause hair loss.
Your doctor may also conduct the following tests:
- The “pull” test: They pull several dozen hairs to see how many will come out. This helps work out the stage of the shedding process.
- A ‘scalp biopsy’: A doctor scrapes samples from the skin or a few hairs plucked from the scalp to examine the hair roots under a microscope.
- A ‘light microscopy’: Your doctor will use a unique instrument to examine hairs trimmed at their bases.
Causes & Prevention
Causes
Losing hair is a natural daily occurrence. However, sudden or extensive hair loss can signify a medical condition. The leading cause of hair loss is hereditary.
Prevention
The most common cause of hair loss is hereditary and is not preventable. These tips may help you avoid preventable types of hair loss:
- Be kind to your hair. Avoid tugging hair when brushing or combing, especially when you’ve got wet hair. A wide-toothed comb helps prevent pulling out hair. Be aware that hot rollers, curling irons, hot-oil treatments, and permanents can cause damage to your hair, so limit their use accordingly. You should also avoid tying your hair too tight from styles that use rubber bands, barrettes and braids.
- Check with your doctor about medications and supplements that might cause hair loss.
- Protect your hair from direct sunlight and other sources of ultraviolet light.
- Stop smoking. Some studies show an association between smoking and baldness in men.
- If you are having chemotherapy treatment, ask your doctor about a cooling cap. This can help reduce your risk of losing hair during chemotherapy.
Treatments
Most hair loss does not require treatment. It should be noted that hair loss caused by another health condition usually stops or grows back once you recover.
No treatment is 100% effective. The two main medications are Finasteride and Minoxidil. Finasteride can be used to treat male-pattern baldness but not female-pattern baldness. Minoxidil can be used to treat both. They work while being used, but the hair re-growth will stop once you stop taking them.
Other hair loss treatments
| Treatment | Description |
| Steroid injection | injections given into bald patches |
| Steroid creams | cream applied to bald patches |
| Immunotherapy | the chemical applied to bald patches |
| Light treatment | shining ultraviolet light on bald patches |
| Tattooing | the tattoo used to look like short hair and eyebrows |
| Hair transplant | hair cells are moved to thinning patches |
| Scalp reduction surgery | sections of the scalp with hair are stretched and stitched together |
| Artificial hair transplant | surgery to artificial implant hairs |
Conclusion
Many forms of hair loss occur for a limited period due to other health conditions or response to treatment with medication.
MOST COMMON
