Hair loss is a situation when you experience a constant loss of hair from your scalp. The accurate name of hair loss is Alopecia. Hair loss can be caused due to factors like growing age, hereditary factors, or casual disease.
The loss of hair can be seen in men, women and even in children, however, baldness is very commonly found in men.
What are the Symptoms of hair loss?
The symptoms of hair loss differ on the grounds of its causes. Hair loss can be sudden as well as gradual. It can affect your scalp or the entire body. The symptoms of hair loss may constitute-
- Gradual hair loss from the top of the head
The gradual hair loss on the top of the head is very common in men; especially the middle part of the head suffers a loss of hair and leads to baldness.
- Circular bald spots
Circular or irregular bald spots are often seen in the people suffering from hair loss. The hair falls leaving the skin in patches. Besides, the skin may become inflamed or throbbing before the loss of hair.
- Unexpected loosening of hair
Unexpected hair loss can be caused by physical or emotional distress. Unexpected hair loss results in the overall loss of hair but it is impermanent.
- Full-body hair loss
Some medical therapies like chemotherapy in cancer results in the loss of hair from the entire human body. The hairs are generally developed back.
- Irregular marks of scaling that reach over the scalp
This can be a sign of ringworm. It may be an adjunct to broken down hair, swelling, redness, and sometimes, discharge.
What are the Causes of hair loss?
Around 50 to 100 hairs fall every day. It is not noticed because new hairs grow at the same time. Hair loss occurs when new hairs do not put back the one which had fall in down.
Some of the causes, which are responsible for hair fall, are mentioned below-
- Factor of hereditary
Hereditary condition is one of the common causes of hair fall. It occurs with the growing age. It is called female pattern baldness, androgenic alopecia or male pattern baldness. Hair fall caused because of the factor of hereditary occurs in gradual and predictable patterns.
- Medical conditions and hormonal changes
Hormonal changes like childbirth, menopause, pregnancy, and thyroid problems can lead to hair fall.
Medical conditions may contain alopecia areata, which is related to immune system-related, and results in irregular hair fall, infections of scalp like ringworm, and a hair-pulling disorder called trichotillomania.
- Medication and supplements
- Certain drugs like those consumed in high blood pressure, heart diseases, cancer, or arthritis depression leads to loss of hair.
- Emotional or physical distress can lead to gradual thinning of hairs. However, this type of hair fall is temporary.
- The absence of growing new hairs can also lead to hair fall.
- Hairstyles and treatments
Hairstyles that make your hairs tight from the scalp can result in weakening of hairgrip and cause hair fall.
What are the Preventions to be taken?
Most hair fall is caused because of genetic factors. This is non-preventable. Some of the preventions you can take to reduce or eliminate hair fall are-
- Do not be harsh on your hair. Comb your hairs gently, especially when they are wet. You can use a wide-toothed comb. Avoid hot rollers, curlers, and hot oil treatments.
- Consult with the doctor the medication you take, if they are leading to hair fall.
- Avoid your hair contact with sun and resources of ultraviolet rays.
- Avoid smoking. Many studies say that smoking is associated to hair fall.
- Ask your doctor for a cooling cap during chemotherapy. This may reduce the chances of loss of hair.
How is the hair fall Diagnosed?
Before going into treatment, doctors diagnose the patient by taking a physical test for knowing your diet, medical and family history, and your health care patterns.
You might go through tests like-
- A blood test is done to know if any medical cause is responsible for your hair fall.
- A pull test is conducted to know the shedding stage. In this test, the doctor gently pulls some hairs to see how many of them will break down.
- Scalp biopsy is done to identify whether any infection is responsible for hair fall. The doctor pulls and plucks a small number of hairs from the scalp and examines the hair roots under a microscope.
- Light microscopy is performed by special treatment to know if any disorder is responsible for the loss of hair.
What are the possible Treatments for hair loss?
Successful treatments are available for some types of hair fall. Patchy hair fall can re-grow within a year. Some of the hair fall treatments may include-
- Medication
If your hair fall is a result of a casual disease, the treatment of that disease becomes essential. If a specific medication results in hair fall talk to your doctor to advise you so treatments. These may include-
- Minoxidil
This medication is available over the counter in the form of foam, liquid, or shampoo. This is prescribed to apply on the scalp skin twice for men and once for women daily. It helps in re-growing the hairs and lower down the rate of hair fall
This can take 6 months to work for you. Possible side effects may be scalp irritation and growth of hairs on hands and face.
- Finasteride
This is a drug prescribed for men. The people who are using it, experience less hair fall and can see new hairs growing on their heads. This can affect the sexual function are increase the chances of prostate cancer.
- Doctors can recommend other medications based on your medical and health diagnosis.
Hair Transplant therapy
A dermatologist or cosmetic doctor takes away hair from a division of the head that has hair and resettle it to a hairless spot, during a hair relocation process. Every area of hair has one to numerous hairs. Sometimes a well-built strip of skin holding several hair combinations is taken. This practice does not call for hospitalization; however, it is throbbing so the doctor will give you a sedation medicine to relieve you.
Probable risks contain an infection, bleeding, swelling, and bruising. One or more surgeries can be done to get you excellent results. Inherited hair fall will ultimately grow within a year without any surgery. Surgical dealings to cure baldness are not generally enclosed by insurance.
Laser therapy
This therapy is used for men and women, A few minute studies say that it recover hair density. Additional studies are required to illustrate lasting effects.
Lifestyle and home remedies
You might use hair care treatments that bring you a better feel regarding your appearance. Hair styling, hair color, use of wigs, and extensions are very common approaches. Consult your doctor; these may cause you temporary or permanent hair fall.
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