Hair Loss Causes – All You Need to Know

In this blog we have discussed about hair loss causes and potential risk factors

The medical term of hair loss is Alopecia. However, you don’t need to take all type of hair loss seriously. As a human being it is normal to shed around 100 hairs a day.

Our hair goes through a life cycle that involves multiples phases like growth, resting followed by shedding. However, if the hair loss is persistent then it can be caused due to many other health issues.

Alopecia can be seen in bald patch of small size, receding hairline, hair thinning on the crown and temples. All these patches of hair loss can be seen localised or in widespread area.

Hair loss after pregnancy is very common which may resolve on its own.

Here are some for hair loss causes:

1. Family history (hereditary)

Hereditary-pattern baldness is the most common cause of hair loss.

It affects a large percentage of population, with many noticing that it gets progressively worse as they age. This condition is called androgenic alopecia, which starts with a sign of a receding hairline and bald spots in men and thinning hair along the crown of the scalp in women.

It usually occurs gradually and in predictable patterns which is often referred as male-pattern baldness and female-pattern baldness.

2. Hormonal changes and medical conditions

Women undergo hormonal hormonal changes due to pregnancy, childbirth, menopause that can cause permanent or temporary hair loss. Women with conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) have higher androgen levels, experiences female pattern hair loss.

Both men and women may experience hair loss from changes in thyroid hormone levels.

Medical conditions like ringworm infections, cicatricial alopecia, and traumatic alopecia can also lead to hair loss.

Other causes are medical condition such as alopecia areata, an immune condition that causes patchy hair loss, scalp infections such as ringworm.

Also, a hair-pulling disorder called trichotillomania a mental disorder that causes the urge to pull out your own hair can cause hair loss.

3. Medications and supplements

Few drugs can cause hair loss as a side-effects. It is evident during the treatment of various diseases like:

• cancer
• depression, 
• gout
• high blood pressure
• heart diseases
• arthritis
• Acne (isotretinoin)

*Discontinuing birth control pills can also cause temporary hair loss.

4. Radiation therapy

It is commonly used in cancer treatment. Radiation to the scalp can cause loss of hair in the treated area. The hair loss will occur about two weeks after treatment has started. 

The hair may not grow back the same as it was before, it may be thinner or have a different texture. Sometimes hair loss may be permanent with higher doses of radiation therapy

5. Nutritional deficiencies

Deficiencies of protein or other important nutrients like zinc can affect the hair growth. Low levels of iron, and vitamin D can cause hair loss. 

6. A very stressful event

There can be a temporary hair loss and hair thinning due to physical or mental stress. 

7.Hairstyles and treatments

Traumatic hair styling practices like heat styling, chemical hair treatments (hair colour), and tight hairstyles that pull your hair tight, such as pigtails or cornrows, can cause a type of hair loss called traction alopecia. 

Hot-oil hair treatments can also cause hair fall. If scarring occurs, hair loss could be permanent

Risk factors

These factors can increase your risk of hair loss:

• Age
• Medication like anticoagulants (heparin, warfarin), anticonvulsants (Valproic acid, trimethadione)
• A family history of balding on maternal or paternal side
• Illnesses such as diabetes and hyper/hypothyroidism, SLE
• Stress
• Nutritional deficiencies of iron, zinc, protein
• Poor hygiene which can predispose to tinea capitis (more common in children)
• Significant weight loss
• Male sex which is at increased risk of androgenetic alopecia

Takeaway:

Signs of hair loss can vary from person to person. If you notice sudden or patchy hair loss, or thinning hair on your scalp or a rash, consult with a dermatologist. Sudden hair loss can be an indicator of an underlying medical condition that may require treatment.