Hair loss causes, symptoms and prevention.
Hair loss causes, symptoms and prevention.
Hair loss causes, symptoms and prevention. On average, most people lose about 100 strands of hair a day. And with new strands growing to take place of the ones lost, most won’t notice a difference.
But if fewer or no strands grow back and you start noticing a receding hairline or thinning areas, you might have alopecia.
Hair loss (alopecia) can affect just your scalp or your entire body, and it can be temporary or permanent. It can be the result of heredity, hormonal changes, medical conditions or a normal part of aging. Anyone can lose hair on their head, but it’s more common in men.
Baldness typically refers to excessive hair loss from your scalp. Hereditary hair loss with age is the most common cause of baldness. Some people prefer to let their hair loss run its course untreated and unhidden. Others may cover it up with hairstyles, makeup, hats or scarves. And still others choose one of the treatments available to prevent further hair loss or restore growth.
Symptoms of Hair loss
- Gradual thinning on top of head. This is the most common type of hair loss, affecting people as they age. In men, hair often begins to recede at the hairline on the forehead. Women typically have a broadening of the part in their hair. An increasingly common hair loss pattern in older women is a receding hairline (frontal fibrosing alopecia).
- Circular or patchy bald spots. Some people lose hair in circular or patchy bald spots on the scalp, beard or eyebrows. Your skin may become itchy or painful before the hair falls out.
- Sudden loosening of hair. A physical or emotional shock can cause hair to loosen. Handfuls of hair may come out when combing or washing your hair or even after gentle tugging. This type of hair loss usually causes overall hair thinning but is temporary.
- Full-body hair loss. Some conditions and medical treatments, such as chemotherapy for cancer, can result in the loss of hair all over your body. The hair usually grows back.
- Patches of scaling that spread over the scalp. This is a sign of ringworm. It may be accompanied by broken hair, redness, swelling and, at times, oozing.
Causes of hair loss
- Family history (heredity).
The most common cause of hair loss is a hereditary condition that happens with aging. This condition is called androgenic alopecia, male-pattern baldness and female-pattern baldness. It usually occurs gradually and in predictable patterns — a receding hairline and bald spots in men and thinning hair along the crown of the scalp in women.
- A very stressful event
Many people experience a general thinning of hair several months after a physical or emotional shock. This type of hair loss is temporary
- .Alopecia areata
Alopecia areata is a disease that develops when the body’s immune system attacks hair follicles (what holds the hair in place), causing hair loss. You can lose hair anywhere on your body, including your scalp, inside your nose, and in your ears. Some people lose their eyelashes or eyebrows.
If you receive chemotherapy or have radiation treatment to your head or neck, you may lose all (or most of) your hair within a few weeks of starting treatment.
- Pulling your hair
Some people pull on their hair, often to relieve stress. They may be unaware that they’re pulling their hair. The medical term for this is trichotillomania.
4 Ways to stop hair loss
1. Eat extra protein
You may not be getting enough protein each day and that can affect your hair growth.
Especially if you’re vegan or vegetarian, you may need to increase the amount of protein you consume.
“You need 40 to 60 grams a day,” says Dr. Bergfeld. “You can drink your protein, you don’t have to eat it in a food substance.”
2. Take vitamins
Your doctor can perform various tests to see if you have a vitamin deficiency. Certain vitamins and minerals like vitamins A, B, C, D, E, zinc and iron can affect your hair growth.
3. Try low-level laser light therapy
“It can reduce skin inflammation and initiate hair growth,” says Dr. Bergfeld. “It’s a no-brainer. You don’t have any drug interactions. You don’t have any intolerance. The worst thing you can get is a little bit of scalp sunburn, which can be dealt with just by using a lotion or even just reducing the time exposure.
4. Maintain good hair and scalp care
Avoid harsh hair treatments like heating tools, hair dye and bleaching. Hairstyles like tight ponytails or braids can affect your hair as well. Keep your scalp healthy by washing your hair and scalp regularly.
“Any inflammation on the scalp will affect the hair growth cycle,” says Dr. Bergfeld.
Hair loss causes, symptoms and prevention.
5. Prevent from sun
Prevent your hair from sunlight and other sources of ultraviolet rays.