Getting A Grip On The Many Types Of Hair Loss

Hair loss can take many forms and the causes of hair loss can be multiple causes or just one single cause. There are many different types of hair loss that may contribute to your hair...

Hair loss can take many forms and the causes of hair loss can be multiple causes or just one single cause. There are many different types of hair loss that may contribute to your hair loss problem. Deciding what type of hair loss you have is a job for your doctor.

Hair loss can be the result of or contributed to effuviums, alopecia areata, scarring alopecia, congenital hypotrichosis, infectious agents and also hair shaft defects.

The most common non-AGA alopecias (hair loss) that are seen by doctors treating hair loss are telogen effuvium, alopecia areata, ringworm, scarring alopecia, and the use of over styling or cosmetic over-processing. Your doctor may refer you to a dermatologist to make the diagnosis or for treatment of your hair loss condition. If your hair loss type is rare, it may take a while before the exact cause is discovered.

Hair loss that is due to effluviums affect the hair growth cycle. Effluvium actually means, “outflow”.

Alopecia areata (AA) is a common form of hair loss. It is believed that alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease. The immune system is wrongly activated and attacks the hair follicles. Children can develop AA before they reach puberty.

Scarring alopecia envelops a host of different hair loss disorders affecting both men and women. All of these hair loss disorders are usually permanent and irreversible because they destroy the hair follicles. The treatment for scarring alopecia needs to be aggressive.

Congenital hypotrichosis is a condition in which no hair growth takes place. This hair loss condition affects individuals right from birth and is a lifelong condition.

Hair loss as a result of infectious agents include ringworm which is a fungal infection, folliculitis which is a local inflammation of hair follicles, piedra which is a condition in which hair fibers are infected with fungus, demodex folliculorum which is hair loss due to a worm-like creature living on the skin and in hair follicles that feeds on dead skin and skin oils. We usually do not know they are on our scalp and as many as 70% of adults have this infectious agent. They can cause irritation, especially of the eyelashes.

Seborrheic dermatitis, although a skin infection can cause temporary hair loss.

Hair shaft defects can also cause hair loss and involve physical damage to the hair fiber and hair loss. Genetic defects are usually involved in this type of hair loss scenario. Poor hair care or other environmental factors contributre to hair shaft defects in addition to genetic defects.

Since there are so many different types of hair loss it is important to be able to give a good description of when the hair loss first occurred and any symptoms you have experienced such as irritation to the scalp as well as your hair care routine and diet.

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