Dermatologists Get to the Root of Hair Loss
If you notice more hair collecting in the bathtub drain and less hair on your head, you are not alone. Hair loss affects millions of Americans. About 80 million American men and women have hereditary hair loss, and at least half of the women in the United States will experience some form of hair loss by the time they reach 50 years of age.
While many people cope by finding a hairstyle that can hide noticeable hair loss, a more effective strategy is to consult a dermatologist. The reasons for hair loss are many:
• Hereditary thinning or baldness. Caused by the genes inherited from our parents, this is the most common cause of hair loss. About 80 million American men and women have hair loss due to hereditary thinning or baldness.
• Alopecia areata. This autoimmune disease causes hair loss on the scalp and elsewhere on the body. It develops in people of all ages and causes hair to fall out in patches.
• Cicatricial (scarring) alopecia. Developing in otherwise healthy men and women, cicatricial alopecia is a rare condition that destroys a person’s hair follicles. Scar tissue forms where the follicle once was, resulting in permanent baldness. Treatment attempts to stop the inflammation that destroys the hair follicles.
• Underlying medical condition. A warning sign for about 30 diseases, hair loss often can be stopped or reversed with treatment for the underlying disease.
• Some cancer treatments. Radiation therapy and some chemotherapeutic medications cause hair loss. While hair loss is usually temporary, it can be the most traumatic part of chemotherapy.
• Physical stress. Significant hair loss can occur after childbirth, major surgery, high fever, severe infection, or even the flu.
• Diet. Inadequate protein, too little iron, or an eating disorder such as anorexia and bulimia can lead to hair loss.
• Certain prescription drugs. Medications that can cause hair loss include blood thinners, high-dose vitamin A, and medicines for arthritis, depression, gout, heart problems, and high blood pressure. Some women taking or discontinuing birth control pills experience hair loss. This usually occurs in women with an inherited tendency toward hair thinning.
• Hormonal imbalances. A dramatic change in hormones can cause unexplained hair loss – especially in women.
• Ringworm of the scalp. Without effective treatment, this contagious fungal infection, which is most common in children, can cause balding and scaling on the scalp.
• Styling products. Excessive or improper use of perms, dyes, gels, relaxers, and sprays can cause hair breakage.
• Certain hairstyles. Years of wearing hair in a style that pulls on the hair such as a ponytail or braids can cause a type of hair loss known as traction alopecia.
• Too much grooming. Too much shampooing, combing, or brushing (100 strokes or more a day) or doing any of these too vigorously can cause hair loss.
• Trichotillomania. This impulse control disorder, also known as “trich,” causes people to repeatedly pull out their own hair. Aside from a constant urge to pull out the hair on the scalp, sufferers often say they feel an urge to pull out their eyelashes, nose hairs, eyebrows, and other hairs on their bodies.
With so many causes, it sometimes takes a bit of detective work to pinpoint the reason for hair loss. A dermatologist usually begins by obtaining a complete medical history and performing a physical exam. During the physical, the dermatologist will examine the pattern of hair loss and look for signs of illness and a scalp infection. Sometimes a blood test or scalp biopsy is necessary.
Once the cause is known, treatment or preventive measures can begin. It is important to realize that when it comes to hair loss, there is no quick fix. But dermatologists do have the knowledge and resources to halt hair loss and generate new growth for many patients.
AAD Web site: www.aad.org
Toll-free: (888) 462-DERM (3376)
American Academy of Dermatology
930 E. Woodfield Road
P.O. Box 4014 Schaumburg, IL 60168-4014
Posted in: Hair Loss | Harmful Chemicals | Healing Honey Skin Care | Natural Skin Care | Well Being
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