Hair loss is one of the most common disorders diagnosed and treated by dermatologists. The medical term for hair loss is baldness.
Is hair loss contagious?
No, you cannot develop hair loss. Some people develop an infectious disease that can lead to hair loss.
For example, if you become infected with the fungus that causes ringworm, the fungus may grow on your scalp. If left untreated, ringworm of the scalp can lead to hair loss.
Why is my hair falling out?
We lose our hair for many reasons (with a focus on many). One ringworm. The most common cause is hereditary hair loss.
If you've recently had surgery, or have had a high fever or chemotherapy for cancer, it's normal for a lot of hair to fall out. A few months after giving birth, most women lose noticeable amounts of hair.
Taking care of your hair or styling your hair too tight can also cause your hair to fall out.
Some healthy people suffer from alopecia areata, a disease that can cause hair loss anywhere on the body. These are some of the many reasons why we see hair loss.
With so many causes, it can be hard to figure out why your hair is falling out. If you want to do something about it, knowing why is important.
In many cases, hair loss can be successfully treated, or measures taken to prevent further hair loss. The key to getting results is knowing the real cause of your hair loss.
Board-certified dermatologists have successfully diagnosed the cause of hair loss for many people.
See: Top 18 Eye Care Tips at home
Do I need to see a dermatologist regarding hair loss?
These doctors specialize in treating the skin, hair, and nails. They have the experience and tools that help them get to the root cause of a person's hair loss.
The earlier you find the cause, the better your outcome. The less hair loss, the more successful the treatment (or prevention).
Are shampoos and home remedies effective for hair loss?
Some products are effective. Minoxidil (Rogaine®) can safely and effectively treat some causes of hair loss. People who suffer from hereditary hair loss can regrow it using this product.
Using a home laser can also be part of an effective treatment plan for someone suffering from hereditary hair loss.
Again, the key to getting results is knowing why.
See: 11 Prescription Medications for Hair Loss
Is it normal to lose some hair?
Yes, it is normal to shed between 50 and 100 hairs per day. This is because our bodies are constantly growing new hair and shedding old hair. This loss is not a sign of hair loss.
A receding hairline, balding spot, or overall thinning is a sign of hair loss. Hair loss can also manifest in some surprising ways. You can learn about the various ways in which hair loss can start.
Early signs of hair loss
For women, the first noticeable sign of hair loss is often a part or less fullness of a ponytail.
- Gradual thinning of your hair
- Slow growing bald spot
- The hairline recedes, which becomes more noticeable with each passing year
- Part breadth
- The thinnest ponytail
Millions of people have these signs of hair loss, which tend to appear gradually. These signs can be subtle, so you may experience hair loss for months or years before you notice it.
While many people with hair loss show one or more of these common signs, hair loss can occur in other ways.
Can hair loss appear suddenly and dramatically?
While hair loss often occurs gradually, it is possible to notice:
- A bald patch or strip appears within a day or two
- Lumps of hair fall out when brushing or combing your hair
- All (or most) of your head hair is falling out
See: Safe Methods of Straightening Hair
Can hair loss occur anywhere other than on your scalp?
While hair loss usually affects the scalp, some conditions can cause hair loss in other areas of the body. Alopecia areata is a disease that can cause hair loss anywhere on the body where hair grows.
People with alopecia areata often experience hair loss on the scalp, but they may also lose part (or all) of their:
- Eyebrows
- Eyelashes
- Beard
- Nose hair
- Pubic hair
A small number of people with alopecia areata lose all body hair. When this happens, the disease is called alopecia universalis.
Anterior fibrous alopecia is another disease that causes hair loss on the scalp and elsewhere. Some people lose their eyebrows, eyelashes, or hair on other areas of the body.
It is also possible to keep the hair on your head and lose it elsewhere. Friction from wearing tight clothing, shoes, or socks can cause hair loss as you experience constant friction.
Symptoms and signs of hair loss
While lack of hair is often the only sign of hair loss, some people show other signs and symptoms. You may have hair loss with:
- Burning or stinging before sudden hair loss - some people with alopecia areata experience this.
- Intense itching, burning, tenderness at the site of the hair loss - if this occurs, you may have an infection.
- Scaly bald patches, often with sores or blisters that open and secrete pus - this most likely means you have a fungal infection on your scalp.
- Redness, swelling and sores that may itch and leak pus - can cause a condition called decalvans.
- Scaly patches of psoriasis on your scalp - most people with psoriasis develop it on their scalp at some time, and this can cause temporary hair loss.
Your signs and symptoms depend on the cause of your hair loss.