5 Major Causes of Hair Loss – Overview, Facts, Diagnosis and Prevention

Overview

Hair loss, also known as alopecia, can affect just your scalp or your entire body. It can range from a small patch to complete baldness.

It's normal to lose some hair every day. The NHS notes that people can lose between 50 and 100 hairs a day, often without noticing.

Hair loss can be the result of heredity, hormonal changes, medical conditions, medications or stress. Anyone can experience hair loss, but it is more common in men.

Cause of Hair Loss

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Baldness usually refers to hair loss from your scalp. Hereditary hair loss with age is the most common cause of baldness. Some people like to let their hair fall untreated and untouched. Others may cover it with hairstyles, makeup, hats, or scarves. And still, others choose one of the available treatments to prevent hair loss and restore growth. Before pursuing hair loss treatment, talk to your doctor about the reason for your hair loss and treatment options.

Facts about hair loss

Tests for hair loss may include blood tests, such as a complete blood count (CBC), iron levels, vitamin levels and thyroid function tests, and sometimes a scalp biopsy.
Alopecia areata is a form of hair loss that happens when the immune system attacks hair follicles.
Medications used for hair regrowth include minoxidil (Rogaine) and finasteride (Propecia). Finasteride is for men only; women should not use it.
Gentle hair care and avoiding tight hairstyles can help prevent some types of hair loss.
Thyroid disease, iron deficiency, an illness, severe stress, chemotherapy, rapid weight loss and untreated syphilis can all cause hair loss.

Cause of hair loss

Hair loss happens when the normal hair growth cycle is disrupted, or when hair follicles are destroyed and replaced by scar tissue. Hair loss is usually related to one or more of the following factors:

Radiation therapy to the head: Hair may not grow back as before.
A very stressful event: Many people notice extra shedding a few months after a stressful event, such as an illness, surgery or the death of a loved one. This type of hair loss is usually temporary.
Some hairstyles and treatments: Hairstyles that pull your hair tightly, such as tight ponytails or cornrows, can cause a type of hair loss called traction alopecia. Over time it can become permanent. Coloring, perming or relaxing your hair can also damage hair and lead to hair loss.
Family history (heredity): The most common cause of hair loss is a hereditary condition called male-pattern baldness or female-pattern baldness. It usually occurs gradually with age and in a predictable pattern: a receding hairline and bald spots in men, and thinning hair in women.
Hormonal changes and medical conditions: A variety of conditions can cause permanent or temporary hair loss, including hormonal changes due to pregnancy, childbirth, menopause, and thyroid problems. Medical conditions include alopecia areata, scalp infections such as ringworm, and a hair-pulling disorder called trichotillomania.

Diagnosis

Your doctor will likely give you a physical exam and ask about your medical history and family history before making a diagnosis. Following tests are performed by a doctor:

Blood test: To help find medical conditions related to hair loss.
Pull test: Your doctor gently pulls several dozen hairs to see how many come out. This helps determine the stage of the shedding process.
Scalp biopsy: A small skin sample may help show whether an infection or another skin condition is causing hair loss.
Light microscopy: Your doctor uses a special instrument to examine hairs trimmed at their bases. Microscopy can show possible disorders of the hair shaft.

Preventions & treatment

These tips can help you prevent hair loss:

Avoid tight hairstyles, such as braids, buns, or ponytails.
Avoid twisting, rubbing, or pulling your hair.
Treat your hair gently while washing and brushing. The wide-toothed comb can help prevent hair pulling.

Avoid harsh treatments such as hot rollers, curling irons, hot oil treatments, and permanents.

Ask your doctor whether any of your medicines or supplements could cause hair loss. Don't stop a prescribed medicine on your own.
Protect your hair from sunlight and other sources of ultraviolet light.

Stop smoking. Some studies show an association between smoking and baldness in men.

If you are being treated with chemotherapy, ask your doctor about a cooling cap. This cap may reduce your risk of losing hair during chemotherapy.

Effective treatments are available for some types of hair loss. You may be able to reverse hair loss or at least slow further thinning.

With some conditions, such as alopecia areata, hair may regrow on its own, and treatment can help if it doesn't.

Treatments for hair loss include medications and hair transplant surgery. You can also read about what promotes hair growth. No treatment works for everyone.

See a doctor if your hair loss is sudden, patchy, or comes with other symptoms.