While there are many environmental factors that can contribute to hair loss, the most common cause of hair loss is a person’s genetic predisposition. It will often play a key role in determining the pattern and the predictability of a patient’s hair loss. Male Pattern Baldness (MPB) is the most common diagnosis given to hair loss sufferers. It is also known as “Androgenetic Alopecia” and is the cause of 95% of all hair loss in men. By the age of fifty approximately 85% of men have visibly thinning hair. Many will be surprised to learn that MPB is not a condition that affects men only, in fact, hair loss affects an estimated 40% of women over the age of forty.
Other reasons for hair loss include heredity, which can also affects the age at which you begin to lose hair. It can also affect the rate at which hair is lost. Male Pattern baldness can begin while going through puberty and can include symptoms such as the miniaturization of hair, or thinning hair.
Symptoms of Hair Loss
• Thinning or loss of hair on the scalp
• Hairline showing signs of recession
• A U-shaped pattern on the crown of the head
Some other reasons for hair loss:
Changes in Hormone Levels. A hormonal imbalance may cause hair loss on a temporary basis. Changes due to pregnancy, giving birth to a child, or the perimenopause may also cause temporary hair loss. The thyroid gland can also be a reason that hair loss will occur.
Hair loss in Patches. Another type of hair loss is called alopecia areata which can occurs when the immune system goes after hair follicles — this will cause very sudden hair loss that will cause smooth bald patches on the scalp.
Infections. Infections on the scalp caused by parasites like ringworm will often attack the hair and skin. This can leave dry scaly patches on the scalp which also tend to be bald. Fortunately, if the infection is treated with medication, the hair will usually return.
Scarring skin disorders. Specific diseases can affect also people by causing scarring alopecia. This can be a cause for permanent hair loss.
Trichotillomania. Also called Hair Pulling syndrome, this condition can give people the irresistible urge to pull the hair out of their own scalp, eyebrows, or other regions of the body.
Specific Medications
A condition known as Telogen Effluvium can cause hair loss. This condition is triggered through nutritional deficiencies and medication. It is usually not permanent, and can be reversed by adjusting diet and or medications.
Loss of hair can also be triggered by certain types of drugs that used to treat arthritis, cancer, depression, heart arrhythmia or failure, as well as high blood pressure. In addition, female patients who take birth control drugs may also be affected.
Vitamins and Minerals
Specific vitamins and minerals which will normally help to preserve and promote hair growth can actually have the opposite effect when taken in excess. T
Biotin: Too much biotin can cause several unintended side effects, such as skin rash, have very high blood sugar levels, and even hair loss.
Selenium: Selenium, a naturally occurring mineral found in high doses in Brazil nuts, can also cause hair loss. Selenium is also found in yellowfin tuna, sardines, and turkey.
Vitamin A: Vitamin A is found in carrots, spinach, and beef liver, but also in certain acne medications. Having an excess of vitamin A can cause blurry vision, nausea, vomiting, and hair loss.
Zinc: A common mineral found in oysters, shellfish, or cold remedies or cough drops, an excess of zinc may also cause thinning or hair loss.
Additional causes of hair loss
Shock loss event: Some people can undergo a loss of hair even weeks or months after a severe physical or emotional trigger. Fortunately, this type of hair loss is usually temporary. Examples of these can include rapid, excessive drop in weight, stressful surgery, traumatic injury, or death to a family member.
Traumatic Hairstyling: Specific types of hairstyles that tend to tug or put stress on the hair though pulling will cause a condition known as traction alopecia. Harsh hot oil treatments or perms can cause the hair follicles to become aggravated causing the hair to fall out. In addition, scarring can sometimes happen, in which case the loss of hair could become permanent.
