Hair Loss that is also known as Alopecia is a very common condition.
Hair loss is common problem in every men and women. Alopecia and baldness is known as Hair Loss from a head or a part of body. Hair loss can be the result of here heredity, hormonal changes, medical conditions or medications with an age.
Its a common problem in everyone but the hair loss mainly affects the men.
Hair loss can happen in some different ways and badly affects to your scalp. The hair loss may be temporary or permanent. With age Hereditary hair loss is the most common reason of baldness.
It is normal to loose 50 to 100 hairs a day, according to AAD, (American Academy of Dermatology). There are about 100,000 hairs on your head and the loss in a day is hence not even noticeable.
Hair loss can increase as we grow old or can happen suddenly because of a serious condition or disease.
If you are confused that you are having Hair loss or is the problem serious, Read the complete article and find the answer to your questions.
What are the Symptoms of Hair Loss ?
The main sign of Alopecia is of course losing hair more than anyone actually does, but even then it may be difficult to completely identify.
- Widening part – if you part your hair and you notice the parting to be widened, it can be a sign of the condition.
- Loose hair – After combing your hair, have a look at your brush or comb, if you find hair fall more than you regularly do, it may also be a sign.
- Bald patches – small area of your scalp is loosing hair, it may be in different sizes.
- Receding hairline – a higher hairline, may be a sign of thinning hair.
- Itching and pain in scalp – if a skin condition is causing your hair loss, you may experience pain and itching.
What are the causes of Hair Loss ?
There are different types of hair loss and the reason for the loss is different in all.
Androgenic Alopecia
This types of hair loss is a Hereditary Hair loss, like male and female pattern baldness. This types of hair loss affects up to 50% people and it is the most common cause of hair loss.
Androgenic Alopecia happens gradually, it may occur at the age between 6 to 10 or as puberty arises.
Alopecia Areata
Alopecia areata is an autoimmune condition.
This condition attacks the hair follicles, which ranges in different types of sizes from small to large.
In this condition the hair loss is not only from the scalp but also from other parts such as the eyebrows, eyelashes and other parts.
Telogen Effluvium
This type of hair loss is a sudden hair loss which may also result in physical and emotional shock.
You may also experience is extreme stress and serious illness.
This can also happen due to some hormonal changes :
- Pregnancy
- Menopause
- Puberty
Other cause may be :
- Malnutrition
- Some Endocrine disorders
- Birth Control pills.
Anagen Effluvium
Anagen Effluvium is a rapid hair loss which may happen due to chemotherapy and radiation, and which usually grows after the treatment has stops.
Traction Alopecia
This type of Hair loss occurs due to tension and pressure on the hair. It may be because of wearing a tight band, braids, ponytails or tight buns.
Tinea Capitis
Tinea Capitis is also known as a ringworm of the scalp, it is a fungal infection that affects the scalp. It initially starts with small bald patches and then the size may increase if left untreated.
Diagnosis of Hair Loss
As you have read above that there are many causes for hair loss, you should first have a appointment with your Doctor if you see any changes in your Hair Health.
The Doctors will have a physical exam of the scalp and ask for family history.
A biopsy sample may be taken if you suspect an autoimmune disease or any skin condition.
They may also conduct a few blood tests to check if you have any nutrient deficiencies or any signs of any other conditions.
Treatments for Hair Loss
There are a lot of Treatment available for hair loss, but the best option will depend on the cause of the Hair Loss.
Medications will be the first course of treatment. These medicals may be creams, gels, solutions or some specific kind of shampoos. These medicals may be directly applied to the scalp.
For Male Baldness, medicines like finasteride may be given. This medicine may help you to reduce the hair loss as it will slow the process, and some people have also experienced new hair growth.
Other than this other medications may include anti- inflammatory medicines like corticosteroid.
Hair Transplant Surgery
Hair Transplant Surgery includes moving of small plugs of skin, to bald part of your scalp , each with a few hairs.
This surgery is good for people who have hair loss problem that is inherited, because the hair loss is usually on the top of the head.
Scalp Reduction
In this process a surgeon with remove the part of the scalp that does not contact hair, and will close the areas with a piece of your scalp that has hair.
This is a two step method and in general two surgeries are done to complete the process.
How to Prevent Hair Loss.
There are a few steps that you can take to prevent minimise hair loss.
- Keep Hairstyle loose – when you regularly braid, ponytail or bun your hair, your hair is likely to generate a lot of pressure which will cause hair loss.
- Avoid Touching your hair – you must not try to pull, twist , or rub your hair.
- Have a nutrient- rich balance diet – nutrient contribute to a lot of hair loss, if the nutrient level in your body is not good enough you will eventually tend to loss hair.
- Pat Dry Hair – after you have washed your hair, you should not dry it harshly, just pat dry your hair with a towel and let it naturally dry.
Other Prevention of Hair Loss
Some Tools or Products that you use in your daily routine may also have a very bad effect on the health of your hair. If you have a habit of using these or use these for a reason, you may however limit them to a certain number. Things include :
– Blow Dryers.
– Heated Combs.
– Hair straightener
– Colouring Products
– Relaxers
– Bleaching Agents
– Frequent change of Shampoo.
If you are using a lot of these products or are styling your hair regularly with such products, you need to cut it down and use less heat.
If you have dry hair, you should oil it sometimes and should wash your hair with a gentle shampoo with the lowest percentage of chemicals. Washing your hair twice a week is good enough if you struggling with Hair Loss.
