Baldness typically refers to excessive hair loss from your scalp or your entire body. It can be the result of heredity, hormonal changes, medical conditions or medications. Before pursuing hair loss treatment, talk with your doctor about the cause of your hair loss and treatment options.
Symptoms and Treatment
Male-pattern baldness: This is the most common type of hair loss, affecting both men and women as they age. It can come on suddenly or gradually and affect just your scalp or your whole body. Symptoms include: Gradual thinning on top of head, circular or patchy bald spots, Sudden loosening of hair, handfuls of hair coming out, and full-body hair loss.
Prevention
Most baldness is caused by genetics
- Avoid tight hairstyles, such as braids, buns or ponytails
- Treat your hair gently when washing and brushing
- Stop smoking
- Protect your hair from ultraviolet light
- If you are being treated with chemotherapy, ask your doctor about a cooling cap
When to see a doctor
Talk to your doctor if you notice sudden or patchy hair loss or more than usual hair loss when combing or washing your or your child’s hair.
- Sudden hair loss can signal an underlying medical condition that requires treatment.
Causes
Hair loss occurs when this cycle of hair growth and shedding is disrupted or when the hair follicle is destroyed and replaced with scar tissue.
- It is typically related to one or more of the following factors: family history, hormonal changes, medical conditions, medications and supplements, radiation therapy to the head, certain hairstyles and treatments, and stress.
