Hair Loss

More Information

Hair loss refers to loss of hair from part of the head. It is a major concern for women, men and children. There are various causes of hair loss and depending on the reasons for hair loss the treatment is also suggested.

Causes of Hair Loss

There are various reasons because of which hair loss can takes place. Some of the reasons for hair loss include:

• Hormonal misbalanced
• Genes from both female and male parents can result in hair loss
• Drugs including blood thinners, chemotherapy drugs used in cancer treatment, birth control pills, beta-adrenergic blockers used to control blood pressure can cause temporary hair loss problems.
• Illness, stress and childbirth
• Injuries, burns and X-rays
• Cosmetic procedures
• Autoimmune disease
• Medical conditions such as lupus, thyroid, anaemia, eating disorder, iron deficiency can cause hair loss
• A severely calorie-restricted diet or a low protein diet can cause temporary hair loss
• Another major reason for hair loss is Alopecia which happens when hair follicles is mistakenly attacked by immunity system which is the place for hair growth.

Hair loss refers to the loss of hair from part of the head. It is a major concern for women, men, and children. There are various causes of hair loss, and the treatment is also suggested depending on the reasons for hair loss.

Causes of Hair Loss

There are various reasons why hair loss can take place. Some of the reasons for hair loss include:

• Hormonal misbalanced
• Genes from both female and male parents can result in hair loss
• Drugs, including blood thinners, chemotherapy drugs used in cancer treatment,
• Birth control pills and beta-adrenergic blockers can cause temporary hair loss problems.
• Illness, stress, and childbirth
• Injuries, burnsand X-rays
• Cosmetic procedures
• Autoimmune disease
• Medical conditions such as lupus, thyroid, anaemia, eating disorders, and iron deficiency can cause hair loss.
• A severely calorie-restricted diet or a low-protein diet can cause temporary hair loss.
• Another major reason for hair loss is alopecia, which happens when hair

follicles are mistakenly attacked by the immunity system, which is the place for hair growth.

Hair loss refers to the loss of hair from part of the head. It is a major concern for women, men, and children. Various causes of hair loss may not be listed here can cause hair loss.

 Signs and Symptoms

Signs and symptoms of hair loss conditions may vary between men, women, and children. The signs of hair loss in men may include:

• A receding hairline
• Thinning hair on the scalp
• A horseshoe-shaped pattern that leaves the crown of the head exposed

Signs of hair loss condition in women may include:

• General hair thinning
• Hair thinning at the crown of the head

Signs of hair loss in children and young adults may include:

• Excessive shedding of hair but not complete baldness
• Sudden loss of patches of hair
• Patches of broken hair and loss of hair on the eyebrows or scalp

Preventive measures

Various factors can cause hair loss, baldness, or thinning hair. Apart from the ones caused by your genes, such as baldness in your family, there are various ways to prevent hair loss caused by poor nutrition, untreated medical conditions, etc.

1. Aim to drink plenty of fluids: It is suggested to drink at least eight glasses of water a day. If the body stays hydrated, the chances of hair fall will decrease.

1. Taking care of hair: Hair should be treated with proper care. It should be oiled regularly and washed with shampoo suitable to the hair type to keep the scalp and hair clean. Avoid brushing your hair vigorously, and also avoid the use of hair styling products.
2. Proper diet: Often, hair loss also occurs because of poor diet. To prevent hair loss, a diet rich in protein, vitamins, and fibres should be taken to prevent hair fall. Lots of varieties of fruits and vegetables should be consumed.

1. Reduce stress: stress in life is another reason for hair fall. One can prevent it by making lifestyle changes such as exercising, meditating, reducing weight, etc.

Myths and facts:

Myth: As you pluck one grey hair, two grow back.

Fact: Pulling out grey hair does not result in growing more grey hair. However, more grey hair may come due to other reasons such as age.

Myth: Shampooing more often can lead to hair loss.

Fact: Each day, about 100-200 hairs are shed naturally. However, such hair follicles are replaced by others entering the growth phase. Hence, shampooing does not lead to hair loss; it is a normal process.

Myth: Standing on the head increases hair growth.

Fact: Hair loss is not a blood flow problem. It is because of other factors such as genetics, age, some diseases, etc. Also, no one can stand on the head position for long, affecting the hair follicles.

Myth: There is no cure for baldness

Fact: Several treatments, such as laser therapy, approved hair loss drugs, or hair transplants, can help cure baldness.

Diagnosis of disease

While diagnosing hair loss problems, your doctor will ask you various questions such as how much hair you are losing, whether your parents have hair loss problems, when it all started, your diet, your daily routine to understand stress levels, daily fluid intake, and the like.

He or she may even examine your scalp and hair loss pattern. Some hair may also be pulled out for some tests. Doctors may even recommend some blood tests and look at the scalp of your hair under a microscope to probe further.

 Treatment for hair loss:

Hair loss treatment depends on the cause of the hair loss. If the hair loss is caused for a reason that won’t last long and can be treated, your hair will likely reoccur. Hair loss in the family can be treated with hair transplant surgery or medicines.

Some of the basic ways of treating hair loss problems are:

• A proper diet includes a good amount of protein, vitamin C, iron, omega-3 fatty acids and so on
• Plenty of fluids
• Exercise
• Good sleep
• Reduce stress
• Oiling hair properly
• Cleaning hair properly by choosing the right shampoo
• Tenderly combing hair and not tying it very tight
• Going for a hair spa
• Taking medicines as prescribed by your doctor
• Limit the use of hair dryers and hair styling products
• Go for regular trimming of hair

Alopecia treatment would include administering alopecia drugs such as injections of corticosteroids into the scalp. Some adults and children may be treated with topical corticosteroids applied to the affected skin. Minoxidil may also be used with topical corticosteroids.  Psoralen with ultraviolet A light (PUVA) therapy is another effective way to treat alopecia. Wearing hairpieces or using certain hair styling techniques such as perming will make the hair look thicker and can be used if you are unwilling to take the above treatments, as hair usually grows back naturally after some time. Alopecia drugs' side effect is almost nil if taken under the careful supervision of a doctor.

 Steps to improve health

• Eat healthy diet
• Drink plenty of water.
• Take good care of hair by washing it regularly and protecting it from harsh sun rays and cold air.
• Do physical activity regularly
• Take medicines suggested by a doctor
• Reduce stress by going for lifestyle changes

Important things to know

Even after taking adequate measures, following home remedies, going for lifestyle changes, and following your doctor's instruction if the hair fall issue persists, you must again visit the doctor who may think of going through an investigation to understand the root cause and suggest treatment accordingly.