Illness That Causes Hair Loss: Best Way to Treat?

Hair Growth Cycle And Hair Loss

Each scalp hair goes through a long growing phase that lasts several years, followed by a short resting phase. During the growing phase, hair grows roughly 1 centimeter per month. About 90% of the hair on your scalp is growing at any given time, and about 10% is resting.

After about 3 months, a resting hair falls out and a new hair starts growing in its place. As part of this cycle, it is normal to shed some hair every day. The American Academy of Dermatology says shedding 50 to 100 hairs a day is normal. However, some people may experience an illness that causes hair loss.

In the era of a growing list of issues and concerns, hair loss can create additional stress and anxiety. For most people, excessive hair loss is gradual, meaning it occurs over a long period of time. This is especially true for male-pattern baldness. Hair loss is considered excessive when it results in bald spots or hair that is quite thin. In some cases, hair may fall out suddenly. This is often triggered by a physical or emotional shock to your body.

Basic Reasons Of Hair Loss

• Hormonal changes
• Medical conditions and medications
• Physical and emotional shock
• Traction hair loss
• Diet lacking proteins, iron and nutrients

Illness that causes hair loss:

Some illnesses that cause hair loss are described below:

1) Telogen effluvium

Telogen effluvium is excessive hair shedding that happens when many hairs enter the resting (telogen) phase at the same time. Hair then falls out in larger amounts, often a few months after the trigger.

Common triggers include giving birth, high fever or recovering from an illness, surgery, major stress, losing 20 or more pounds, and stopping birth control pills. Telogen effluvium is usually temporary, and hair often regains its normal fullness within six to nine months once the trigger has passed.

Researchers have described 5 possible changes in the hair cycle that could lead to this shedding: immediate anagen release, delayed anagen release, short anagen syndrome, immediate telogen release, and delayed telogen release.

A doctor can help find and treat any underlying cause. If a doctor suspects that a specific medication is causing hair loss, they may switch it.

2) Traction alopecia

Traction alopecia is hair loss caused by constant pulling on the hair, for example from hairstyles that pull tightly on the roots. Hairstyles associated with this condition include:

• Tight buns or ponytails
• Braids
• Cornrows
• Extensions

If traction alopecia continues, a person may develop bald spots and thinning of hair, and the loss can become permanent.

So, in the context of self-care, avoiding tight hairstyles will usually prevent further damage.

3) Eating disorders:

Eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia can also cause hair loss. They stress the body and deprive it of the nutrients needed for healthy hair growth. Crash diets, especially those low in protein, can have a similar effect.

4) Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome:

This hormonal disorder can affect hair growth. Some people with PCOS get thicker facial and body hair, while others notice thinning hair on the scalp.

5) Trichotillomania:

Trichotillomania (pronounced trik-o-till-o-MAY-nee-uh), also referred to as “hair-pulling disorder,” is a mental health condition classified under Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders. It involves recurrent, irresistible urges to pull hair from the scalp, eyebrows, eyelids, and other areas of the body, despite repeated attempts to stop or decrease hair pulling.

6) Nutritional deficiencies

A lack of nutrients can cause hair loss. Diets that are very low in protein, iron or certain vitamins can lead to excessive shedding. A person should see a doctor for a blood test to check for a deficiency before taking supplements.

7) Birth control pills

Some people notice hair shedding while taking birth control pills, or a few months after they stop taking them. If you notice hair loss after starting or stopping the pill, talk to your doctor.

8) Ringworm

Ringworm of the scalp (tinea capitis) is a fungal infection that can cause bald patches on the head.

Symptoms include:

• Bald patches, sometimes with small black dots from broken hairs
• Brittle hair that breaks easily
• Itching
• Round, scaly, red or swollen patches of skin
• Pus-filled sores (kerions) in some cases

Scalp ringworm needs treatment from a doctor. MedlinePlus explains that it is treated with antifungal medicine taken by mouth, usually for 4 to 8 weeks, often together with a medicated shampoo. Untreated, it can sometimes cause permanent hair loss and scarring.

By what means hair loss diagnosed?

Talk to your doctor if you suspect that you may have an excess of hair loss. He or she will probably ask you some questions about your diet, any medications you take, and whether you have recently had an illness, and how you take care of your hair. If you are a woman, your doctor may ask questions about your menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause. Your doctor may want to do a physical examination to look for other causes of hair loss. Finally, your doctor may order a blood test or biopsy (taking a small sample of skin to examine under the microscope).

Treatment of hair loss:

Treatment depends on the cause of your hair loss. If a medicine is causing your hair loss, your doctor may prescribe a different medicine. Treating an infection can help stop hair loss. Correcting a hormone imbalance or thyroid problem can also help.

Medications can also help slow or treat pattern baldness. One drug, minoxidil (brand name: Rogaine), is available without a prescription. It is applied to the scalp, and both women and men can use it. Another drug, Finasteride, is available with a prescription. It comes in tablets and is approved for men only. These medicines take several months of regular use before you can tell whether they are working.

Selfcare

To lower your risk of hair loss, you can try:

• Lifestyle changes to reduce stress
• Eating a nutritious diet that includes enough protein, iron and other vitamins and minerals

The following can also help prevent hair loss:

• Using a mild shampoo and conditioner

• Avoiding tight hairstyles

• Limiting the use of heat styling that can damage hair

• Being careful with styling products and tools, which can damage hair and lead to breakage. Examples include:

  • blow dryers
  • heated combs
  • hair straighteners
  • coloring products
  • bleaching agents
  • perms
  • relaxers

  If you decide to style your hair with heated tools, only do so when your hair is dry. Also, use the lowest settings possible.

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Sources

• Hair shedding, American Academy of Dermatology
• Hair loss, MedlinePlus
• Ringworm of the scalp, MedlinePlus