Hair loss is a condition when someone is missing so much of their hair that their scalp is visible in some areas of the head. A large percentage of men and women suffer from hair fall at a certain time in their life, mostly after the age of 60, due to aging. The intensity of the loss of hair and balding vary from person to person. The degree of loss of hair varies with genetics, nutritional intake, and lifestyle of the individual.
The medical term for loss of hair is alopecia. Baldness or alopecia is not exclusive to just the head but can be seen anywhere on the body having hair. However, people usually hair fall is mostly a problem when it is in the head area, as that is clearly visible to everyone. In some people, loss of hair may come hand in hand with inflammation, scarring, and even swell.
Types of Hair Loss
There are three major types: female-pattern of hair fall, male-pattern of hair fall, Alopecia areata, and Telogen effluvium, commonly known as hair thinning. The male-pattern hair loss type is usually a direct result of male hormone or a genetic disposition for increased or an early loss of hair. Alopecia areata falls under the autoimmune disorder category. Telogen effluvium usually occurs after the body undergoes a physically or psychologically traumatic event such as childbirth or pregnancy.
Loss of hair along with inflammation and scarring occurs due to certain kinds of medication for various diseases. Treatment of HIV\AIDs, malnutrition, iron deficiency and chemotherapy may cause hair fall. When one pulls the hair, it may also lead to inflammation and scarring of the scalp. In addition to this, scarring and inflammation can occur if there is a fungal infection, radiation therapy, and diseases such as sarcoidosis and lupus erythematosus
It may result in psychological stress in some people, such as lack of confidence and low self-esteem.
Symptoms and Indications
Loss of hair is evident especially when it occurs in round patches on the head, or if there is excessive dandruff. Hair fall may also be evident if there are skin lesions and scarring. Mild to medium alopecia areata is visible because it occurs in odd places. These places include the eyebrows, back of the head, and other parts of the body that are unaffected by the male-pattern hair loss.
Someone suffering from male pattern loss of hair can be determined by missing patches of hair near the temples. In addition to this, usually in people suffering from this type of hair fall experience the thinning of the hair near the crown and the hairline being pushed back. The female pattern hair loss can be isolated to certain areas of the head such as the parietal and frontal regions.
Major Causes of Hair Loss in Men and Women
Hair loss in a certain pattern
People who suffer from falling of hair that occurs in a certain area or in patches have the condition known as Patter Hair Loss. Individuals may suffer from male pattern hair fall because of an accumulation of the male hormone dihydrotestosterone.
Drugs
It is common for people taking certain medication to experience major hair fall. These may include medicines prescribed for selective types of diabetes, blood pressure, heart disease, and cholesterol.
Nearly all medicines that affect a person’s hormones are cases that lead to significant loss of hair. These hormone-altering medications include birth control pills, hormone replacement therapy, steroids, and certain acne treatment medications.
Other medications that cause this problem include medicines used to treat mycotic infections, chemotherapy, and anabolic steroids. Sometimes, people find using natural hair loss remedies more effective.
Pregnancy
Women may experience hair fall immediately after childbirth but this hair loss in women does not lead to baldness. This is mostly because the level of estrogen significantly decreases three months after childbirth and this leads to hair loss in women. The thinning of hair after childbirth is visible near the temples and hairline area.
Trauma
Trauma affects people who tie their hair back too tightly, too often. It is evident in people who style their hair in cornrows or dreadlocks. Other reasons may be excessive brushing.
This is because the cuticle may become damaged and thus loosen the hair follicle resulting in thinning of hair.
Hair Loss Cure
There is no definitive cure for alopecia. However, there are ways of making it inconspicuous and managing the condition with other methods like hair implants and wearing a wig. In most cases, it is a genetic condition. However, with so many scientific developments happening, there is a possibility that the world will get a hair loss cure eventually.
Hair Loss may result in a lack of confidence in men and women. There are many causes for this, however, some may be preventable, and others may not be.