It's normal to lose some hair every day as part of your hair’s natural growth cycle. Typically, the lost hair grows back, and you maintain a full head of hair. However, factors like illness, hormonal changes, stress, aging, and genetics can disrupt this cycle, causing more hair loss without regrowth.
Types of hair loss:
Some hair loss is temporary, while other types are permanent. Common types include:
• Androgenic alopecia
: Hereditary baldness, affecting both men and women.
• Alopecia areata
: An autoimmune condition causing hair loss on the scalp and body.
• Telogen effluvium
: Rapid shedding of hair, often after physical or emotional stress or hormonal changes.
• Anagen effluvium
: Rapid hair loss due to medical treatments like chemotherapy.
Common causes of hair loss:
Hair loss can be triggered by several factors:
• Genetics (hereditary hair loss).
• Scalp fungal infections.
• Tight hairstyles (like braids, extensions, or tight ponytails).
• Damaging haircare practices (perms, bleach).
• Hormonal changes.
• Medical treatments (chemotherapy, certain medications).
• Nutritional deficiencies (lack of iron or protein).
• Stressful events.
• Thyroid disease.
Diagnosing hair loss:
Seeing a doctor on time is crucial for preventing worse health outcomes. Early diagnosis and treatment can help manage conditions before they escalate into more severe problems. Don't wait for things to worsen—consult a healthcare professional as soon as you notice something unusual.
To diagnose hair loss, your healthcare provider may:
• Ask about your family history of hair loss.
• Review your medical history.
• Order blood tests for thyroid function and iron levels.
• Examine your scalp for infections.
• Perform a scalp biopsy if needed to check for skin disease.
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