What Are The Different Causes For Hair Loss

There are as many causes for hair loss as there are types of hair loss. When you understand what causes your type of hair loss it is easier to understand how the treatment works to...

There are as many causes for hair loss as there are types of hair loss. When you understand what causes your type of hair loss it is easier to understand how the treatment works to stop or cover up the loss.

Pattern baldness can occur in males or females. Typically hair is thick and sturdy. Over time the growth of the hair cycle shortens and hairs are not rooted as sturdily as they normally are resulting in hair that easily falls out during hair washing or when brushed. Heredity seems to play a role in this type of hair loss and it can even predict the age at which you will start to lose your hair. If male pattern baldness runs in the family and your Grandfather or Dad experienced it in the twenties, you have a high risk for also going bald in your twenties.

Cicatricial alopecia is a permanent hair loss due to inflammation damage that scars the hair follicle. New hair does not grow when this occurs. This type of hair loss can occur when individuals have lupus erythematosus or lichen planus.

Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease. Individuals with autoimmune disorders such as thyroid disease are at risk for this type of hair loss.

Telogen effluvium usually happens when an individual suffers an emotional or physical shock. This type of hair loss is temporary and can occur after a death in the family, or physical illness such as a high fever, or a sudden and excessive weight loss, major surgery or metabolic disturbances. This hair loss is temporary because once the event that caused the shock is treated, the hair can then grow back.

Individuals who practice excessive hairstyling, or who pull hair back too tightly while styling can develop traction alopecia. This type of hair loss can also be temporary because when the excessive hairstyling or hair pulling stops the hair can grow back unless scarring of the scalp has occurred and then permanent damage can prevent hair re-growth.

Other factors that can contribute to hair loss are malnutrition, certain medications such as those used to treat arthritis, depression, and gout and certain diseases such as diabetes and lupus. Stressful treatments such as those experienced during chemotherapy and radiation can lead to hair loss. Hormonal changes can also lead to hair loss such as the hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy, menopause and when taking birth control pills. Chemicals used in hair treatments such as coloring, tinting, bleaching, straightening and permanent waves can damage hair leading to hair loss.

Certain infections can also lead to hair loss. Infections such as ringworm, and fungal infections. Topical or oral antifungal medications can treat these infections and stop hair loss.

There is also a hair-pulling disorder that is associated with mental illness in which individuals afflicted with these diseases have an irresistible urge to pull out the hair from the eyebrows, scalp or other areas of the body where hair grows.

Read Also

1. There Are Many Types Of Hair Loss - There is just not one type of hair loss. You can suffer from effuviums, alopecia areata, scarring alopecia, congenital hypotrichosis,...
2. Comparing Normal Hair Growth To Hair Loss - It is sometimes helpful when dealing with hair loss issues to understand what normal hair growth looks like so that...
3. Important Facts You Should Know About Hair Loss - Are you facing hair loss and searching for facts about this condition? When you look in the mirror, do you...
4. Causes For Hair Loss - There are many causes for hair loss, some of which occur on a regular basis as part of the growth...
5. Can You Think Of Anything That Causes Hair Loss - Do you suffer from hair loss? Hair loss happens to all of us on a regular basis. Our hair goes...