Preventive Healthcare
Causes of Hair Loss and How to Diagnose It
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What is Hair Loss?
Hair loss is a common concern affecting millions worldwide. While it's normal to shed 50-100 hairs daily, excessive hair loss can be distressing. Hair loss, medically termed alopecia, refers to losing more hair than is being replaced, leading to visible thinning or bald patches on the scalp or body. Hair loss prevention involves maintaining a healthy lifestyle, managing stress, avoiding harsh treatments, and addressing underlying health issues.
What are the types of Hair Loss?
Hair loss types differ based on characteristics and patterns:
- Androgenetic Alopecia: Known as male/female pattern baldness, this common hereditary hair loss causes hair thinning. In men, the hairline recedes into an "M" shape. Women experience hair thinning on the crown.
- Alopecia Areata: This hair loss type is an autoimmune condition that causes patchy hair loss on the scalp or body when the immune system attacks hair follicles. Coin-sized bald spots are a hallmark.
- Telogen Effluvium: Triggered by stress, illness, or hormonal changes, this hair loss type includes a disproportionate number of hairs entering the resting phase and fall out, leading to diffuse thinning.
- Cicatricial Alopecia: Rare disorders destroy hair follicles and replace them with scar tissue, causing permanent hair loss.
How common is Hair Loss?
Hair loss prevalence increases with age. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, 80 million Americans experience hair loss. By age 50, 50% of men and 25% of women show signs of androgenetic alopecia. Alopecia areata affects 2% of Americans, often starting in childhood.
What are the causes of Hair Loss?
Several factors can contribute to hair loss causes:
- Genetics: Inherited genes are the leading cause of androgenetic alopecia.
- Hormonal Imbalances: Conditions like PCOS or thyroid disorders can trigger hair thinning.
- Nutritional Deficiencies: Inadequate protein, iron, or zinc can impact hair growth and trigger any of the hair loss types.
- Medications: Certain drugs for cancer, arthritis, depression, and high blood pressure may induce hair loss causes.
- Hairstyling Practices: Frequent heat styling, tight hairstyles, and harsh chemical treatments can cause hair breakage and traction alopecia.
- Illnesses and Infections: Ringworm, syphilis, and autoimmune disorders like lupus can lead to hair loss causes.
What are the symptoms of Hair Loss?
Hair loss symptoms can manifest in different ways depending on the underlying cause:
- Gradual Thinning: This is the most common presentation, with hair gradually thinning on the top and sides of the scalp in men and on the crown in women.
- Patchy Bald Spots: Coin-sized patches of hair loss, especially with alopecia areata, can appear suddenly on the scalp, beard, or eyebrows.
- Sudden Loosening of Hair: Handfuls of hair coming out when combing, washing, or gently tugging, often experienced with telogen effluvium after a stressful event.
- Full Body Hair Loss: Loss of hair across the entire scalp and body can occur with certain medical treatments like chemotherapy.
- Scaly Patches: Ringworm can cause scaly, itchy, and inflamed areas on the scalp that may ooze.
What are the complications of Hair Loss?
While hair loss itself isn't a serious medical condition, it can sometimes signify an underlying health issue that needs attention. Hair loss can also take an emotional toll, impacting self-image and confidence. Hair loss may lead to:
- Psychological distress, anxiety, and depression
- Impaired quality of life
- Skin irritation from exposed scalp
- Permanent hair loss if scarring occurs
How is Hair Loss diagnosed?
Hair loss evaluation starts with a thorough medical history and scalp examination. Dermatologists may employ the following diagnostic tools:
- Pull Test: Gently tugging a hair section to check for excessive shedding, which suggests active hair loss. More than 10% is concerning.
- Densitometry: A non-invasive way to measure hair density and caliber using magnified images of the scalp. It helps track treatment progress.
- Trichoscopy: A specialised magnifying tool and lighting system analyse hair and scalp health markers like hair thickness, breakage, and inflammation.
- Scalp Biopsy: Taking a small scalp skin sample for microscopic analysis can differentiate between cicatricial and non-scarring hair loss and rule out scalp infections.
How is Hair Loss treated?
Hair loss treatment depends on the specific type and underlying cause. Options may include:
- Medications:
- Minoxidil (Rogaine) is an over-the-counter liquid or foam that can help slow down hair loss and promote new hair growth.
- Finasteride (Propecia) is a prescription pill that can slow down hair loss and increase hair density in men with androgenetic alopecia.
- Other drugs like spironolactone, oral contraceptives, and anti-androgens may be used in women.
- Topical Treatments: Steroid injections, creams, or ointments can help suppress the immune response in alopecia areata. Medicated shampoos can manage scalp psoriasis or seborrheic dermatitis.
- Light Therapy: Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) or red light therapy may stimulate hair growth by increasing blood flow and activating hair follicles.
- Nutritional Supplements: Correcting deficiencies in iron, zinc, biotin, or other nutrients essential for healthy hair growth through diet or supplements can help.
- Hair Transplant Surgery: Procedures like follicular unit transplantation (FUT) or follicular unit extraction (FUE) involve transplanting hair follicles from fuller areas to thinning or balding areas.
- Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP): This therapy involves injecting concentrated platelets from your own blood into the scalp to potentially stimulate hair regrowth.
- Lifestyle Changes: Reducing stress, eating a balanced diet, being gentle with your hair, and avoiding harsh treatments can help hair loss prevention.
How can I prevent Hair Loss?
Hair loss prevention strategies include:
- Eat a balanced diet rich in hair-healthy nutrients like protein, iron, and biotin.
- Be gentle on your hair. Avoid harsh brushing, tight hairstyles, and excessive heat.
- Manage stress through relaxation techniques like meditation and exercise.
- Avoid smoking, which can worsen hair loss.
- Protect your hair from UV damage by wearing hats or using UV protectants.
What is the outlook for people with Hair Loss?
Hair loss prognosis varies. Some forms of hair loss, like telogen effluvium, often resolve on their own. Androgenetic alopecia tends to progress without treatment. Cicatricial alopecias can cause permanent hair loss. The emotional impact of hair loss can be significant, but support is available. Many people find ways to successfully treat or camouflage their hair loss.
When to see a doctor?
See a dermatologist if you experience:
- Sudden hair loss
- Patchy hair loss
- Scalp itching, burning, or tenderness
- Hair loss after starting a new medication
- Hair loss accompanied by other symptoms
Conclusion
While facing hair loss can feel isolating, know that you're not alone. From medical treatments to cosmetic solutions, there are many ways to manage hair loss and maintain a sense of self.
If you're concerned about hair loss, consider the comprehensive diagnostic services offered by Metropolis Healthcare. Their expert team and state-of-the-art tools can provide the insights you need to create a personalised hair health plan. Remember, the first step to hair loss prevention and treatment is reaching out for help. Your hair, your story - take control of the narrative.