Hair loss is a common challenge for millions of people, with the American Academy of Dermatology estimating that 80 million Americans are affected. It varies from mild hair thinning to complete alopecia (baldness), and can result from various issues. Fortunately, early treatment can provide a remedy and overturn the condition. Hair loss is usually genetic but can also be a symptom of hidden medical conditions. So it’s therefore prudent to find out its origin and start treatment as soon as possible.
Losing a small amount of your hair a day is perfectly normal and is barely noticeable. The hair that falls off is usually replaced by new hair. However, this isn’t always the case. Alopecia can develop relatively quickly or slowly advance over a long period of time. It’s almost impossible to know the amount of hair you’ve lost in a day, making it hard to know if it’s normal or a sign of balding. Below are some symptoms to look out for :
- You’ll notice your hair is slowly thinning over a long period of time. It’s usually the most common symptom of alopecia, with the hairline typically receding in men.
- For other people, patchy bald spots will start appearing on the areas with the most hair. These circular spots can appear on the beard, eyebrows, and scalp and may also cause discomfort.
- Some medical conditions may also cause an individual to lose hair all over the body. Cancer treatment usually leads to a total loss of body hair, which eventually grows back.
- Shock can also cause hair loss. This may result in chunks of hair falling out when washing or combing hair.
Causes of Hair Loss
- Fungal infection – this condition sheds off hair in patches when the scalp is infected. It makes the scalp appear scaly and is common in children.
- Heredity – the most common cause of baldness. This type occurs gradually with aging and is referred to as androgenic alopecia. Its patterns are clearly visible – in men, it can be identified by the receding hairline it causes, as well as circular bald spots. In women, hair normally starts thinning along with the crown.
- Telogen effluvium – this condition ordinarily takes place a few months after the body had been subjected to a long period of stress. This may be due to surgery or an illness. Abrupt changes in hormone levels can also cause this condition, with women who just gave birth being most vulnerable.
- Medicinal drugs – losing hair can be caused by some medications, such as those used in chemotherapy. Drugs used for depression, heart illnesses, high blood pressure, and arthritis can have the same effect as well.
- Symptoms of an illness – losing your hair can be a sign of an underlying disease, such as lupus, thyroid disorders, and syphilis. A nutritional deficiency or hormonal imbalance can also cause hair loss. It’s therefore advisable to seek professional help to find out the precise cause.
Importance of Early Treatment
The signs discussed above persist over time if ignored. Eventually, you’ll realize you are bald. When baldness sets in, the only remedy becomes a hair transplant.
It, therefore, goes without saying that the best therapy is early treatment. You will definitely notice a change in your hairline since most of us use a mirror daily. You will be wise not to ignore the obvious signs. Overlooking these signs may eventually lead to a point where even transplantation cannot help.
Explore early treatment methods that will suit you and help avoid total loss of your hair. Hair loss can badly affect your self-esteem. So it’s vital that you make sure you are quick to respond to any potential sign.
