Most healthy people lose up to 100 strands of hair per day. As part of the hair growth cycle, new strands grow to replace those that are shed. However, when more hair starts to fall out and fewer or none grow back, this condition is referred to as alopecia (hair loss). There are various types of hair loss that can affect people of all ages. Hair loss can occur not only on your head but also on your body.
Types of Hair Loss
Some types of hair loss are permanent, while others are temporary. The most common types of hair loss are:
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Androgenic Alopecia: Genetic balding that can affect everyone (male pattern baldness or female hair thinning).
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Alopecia Areata: An autoimmune condition that causes hair loss on the head and body.
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Telogen Effluvium: Involves rapid hair shedding over a short period, usually after a stressful event.
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Anagen Effluvium: Rapid hair loss caused by medical treatments like chemotherapy.
How Common Is Hair Loss?
Baldness (androgenic alopecia) is the most common type of hair loss, affecting an estimated 80 million people in the United States. Hair loss is one of the most common side effects of chemotherapy. Alopecia areata affects 6.8 million people in the U.S.
What Causes Hair Loss?
There are many possible causes of hair loss. The most common include:
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Genetics
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Fungal infections of the scalp
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Hairstyles that pull the hair tightly
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Damaging hair care practices
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Hormonal changes
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Medical treatment
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Nutritional deficiencies
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Stressful events
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Thyroid disease
What Are the Symptoms of Hair Loss?
People experience hair loss in different ways. Common symptoms include:
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Receding hairline
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Thinning hair across the scalp
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Small patches of hair loss on the scalp
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Loss of hair from the scalp and body
What Are the Complications of Hair Loss?
Hair loss can be emotionally difficult for many people. If you experience significant hair loss, it is important to protect your scalp. Wear a hat, scarf, or head covering and use sunscreen when going out in the sun.
How Is Hair Loss Diagnosed?
Sometimes, the cause of hair loss is obvious, but in other cases, your healthcare provider may perform several tests:
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Asking about your family history
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Reviewing your medical history
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Blood tests
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Examining the scalp for signs of infection
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Taking a biopsy of the scalp
How Is Hair Loss Treated?
If your hair loss is due to medical treatment, hormonal imbalance, or diet, your doctor will address the cause. Most hair loss treatments target androgenic alopecia:
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Medications: Topical treatments like Minoxidil or Rogaine® and oral medications like finasteride or Propecia®.
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Hair Transplant: Hair restoration procedures.
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Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP): Injecting plasma from your own blood into your scalp.
How Can I Prevent Hair Loss?
You can't prevent all types of hair loss, but to minimize shedding:
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Follow a healthy diet.
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Find ways to manage stress.
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Avoid hairstyles that pull your hair tightly.
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Try a cooling cap during chemotherapy.
When Should I See a Doctor?
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Burning, itching, or irritation of the scalp
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Excessive daily shedding
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Hair loss from both the scalp and body
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Sudden, significant hair loss
Questions to Ask My Doctor
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What is causing my hair loss?
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Do I need to change any of my current medications?
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What are the best treatments for my type of hair loss?
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Am I a good candidate for hair transplantation?
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Is there a treatment that will help my hair grow back?
This article was prepared using information from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21753-hair-loss.