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Causes
of hair loss?
The general medical term for hair loss is alopecia,
and researchers have defined a number of different
alopecias. Hair loss can be caused by a wide range
of factors, from mechanical damage to skin infections.
It is essential to consult a physician to determine
the exact cause of hair loss.
Alopecia areata
This condition generally causes coin-sized bald
patches on the scalp (or other parts of the body).
Alopecia areata causes inflammation in the actively
growing hair follicle. This damages the growing
hair, and the follicle enters the telogen (or
resting) phase prematurely. Scientists are not
sure what causes alopecia areata. It is probably
caused by a combination of factors including genetic
predisposition, predisposition to allergy, immune
and autoimmune system responses, and emotional
stress.
Telogen effluvium
Telogen effluvium is a type of hair loss that
occurs when hair follicles are shifted into the
telogen (or resting) phase prematurely. It causes
a general thinning of the hair. Telogen effluvium
can be triggered by changes in hormone levels,
nutritional status, stress or medication.
> Hormones
: Normal male hormones are a well-known cause
of male pattern hair loss. A shift in thyroid
hormone levels can also cause hair loss. In fact,
in some cases, hair loss may the only symptom
of hypothyroidism. For your information, women
may experience hair loss shortly after childbirth.
> Nutrition
: A diet that is deficient in calories and protein
can cause hair loss. Deficiencies of essential
vitamins and minerals, such as iron, zinc, and
biotin, can also provoke hair loss.
> Stress and
medications : Physical and emotional stress
may also inhibit the normal development of hair
cells. It is not uncommon to experience hair
loss 2 to 5 months following a high fever, surgery,
or a severe chronic illness, such as tuberculosis.
Emotional stress may also cause hair loss. Unfortunately,
this can be a self-reinforcing cycle, because
hair loss itself can be very stressful. There
are also a number of medications that can cause
hair loss, such as blood thinners and certain
drugs used to treat arthritis.
Infectious and inflammatory
disease
Several diseases can cause hair loss: for instance,
ringworm (a fungal infection that has nothing
to do with worms) is associated with hair loss.
This condition is most common in children. If
syphilis is left untreated, it can also cause
acute hair loss in a characteristic "moth-eaten"
pattern. Also, some inflammatory conditions, such
as seborrheic dermatitis and psoriasis, are commonly
associated with hair loss. Thyroid disease can
also cause hair loss.
Trauma
Traumatic hair loss can be caused by seemingly
innocuous hairstyling procedures, such as tight
ponytails or tight braiding, that can damage the
hair follicle. In some cases, the follicles are
destroyed, and the hair loss cannot be reversed.
Drug Interactions
One well-known side effect of chemotherapy is
loss of hair, but most people don't realize that
hair loss is listed as a potential side effect
for many over-the-counter and prescription drugs.
Certain vitamins (notably Vitamin A) taken in
mega doses can also cause hair loss. Some drugs
and chemicals reported to cause hair loss include
the following: drugs that lower cholesterol, drugs
that can prevent blood clotting, and certain anti-thyroid
drugs.
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