If you find you are losing more than 100 hairs per day, you may in fact be suffering from hair loss that is caused such things as heredity, stress, disease, injury, aging or hair care. It is normal to lose hair each and every day of our lives, but when it becomes excessive such as 100 or more hairs per day, it may be abnormal.
The most common cause of excessive hair loss is genetics. Unfortunately if it runs in your family you may find yourself dealing with hair loss at some point in your life. If you have hair loss that is due to genetics it is known as male patterned baldness and female patterned baldness. The medical term for this type of hair loss is androgenetic alopecia. Generally this type of hair loss will for men be on the forehead or the top of the head. In women this type of hair loss shows itself as thinning hair on the top of the head.
There are many other causes of hair loss such as ringworm of the scalp. This type of hair loss is generally found in children. Another type of hair loss can be caused by mental stress. If this is the reason for your hair loss it will usually grow back in a few months.
Hair loss can also be caused by such things as high fevers and or recent surgeries. These types of hair loss will subside and your hair will generally grown back in a few months as well.
A common reason for hair loss is by simply pulling your hair back too tightly with rubber bands or wearing your hair in tight braids or ponytails. Once you stop doing things such as this, your hair will grow back. If you do not wear your hair up every day you will likely not suffer much hair loss from doing so occasionally.
Lack of protein or iron in your diet can also cause hair loss. Once you reintroduce these things into your diet, your hair will re-grow. Diseases such as hypothyroidism and or hyperthyroidism can be the cause of hair loss as well. Such normal things as childbirth, taking birth control pills and a woman’s menstrual cycle can cause hair loss as well. Hair loss caused by these reasons will correct itself and allow the hair to grow back after a period of time.
There is a condition known as Trichotillomania that can cause hair loss. This condition is a compulsive behavior where a person pulls his or her own hair out. This reason for hair loss may need the help of a counselor to move past so that the hair can grow back and stay in.
Dr. Ted Lain Dermatology has two convenient Austin offices where patients can receive professional treatment for the devastating problems associated with hair loss.
