How to determine cause of hair loss

Hair loss is normal as part of the life cycle of the human hair. But when one starts to lose more hair than is normally replaced then there is a need to determine the cause of the hair loss. It is also good to remember that all hair loss is not permanent. However, genetic hair loss is the primary cause, as we will look at later.

There are many factors that cause hair loss but here are just a few:

Stress related hair loss

You may have had a stressful event in your life causing you to lose hair. This could be related the things like surgery or any number of stressful events. What happens basically is the hair goes into a rest state, falls out, and the body refuses to replace it.

Sometimes the cause of hair loss could be because of the medicine one is taking. For example, some medications for gout can contribute to and cause hair loss. Other medications associated with the cause of hair loss are anti-depressants, anti-coagulants, and anti-cancer drugs.

Male Pattern Baldness (MPB)

Genetics and heredity are a very strong factor in determining the cause of hair loss. Male Pattern Baldness (also known as MPB) is hereditary as it is linked to paternal and maternal family lines.

Female hair loss is a condition where the hair on top of the head doesn't fall out all of the way but does thin out. This is typically seen after menopause and of course genetics is a factor too.

Iron deficiency

Another cause of hair loss is the deficiency of iron or thyroid hormone. It has been found that sometimes by replacing these deficiencies will help to start hair re-growth again.

Sometimes another cause of hair loss is trauma to the area. This trauma can be caused by hair dryers, perm chemicals, or hair styles where the hair is pulled too tight. This trauma can actually be a cause of permanent hair loss.

Certain cancer treatments will cause hair loss.

One cause of hair loss in children is a scalp infection known as Tinea capitis. This is fungal infection similar to athlete's foot and is cured by medication. This type of hair loss causes the hair to fall out in patches.

Telogen Effluvium

Telogen effluvium is another cause of hair loss in children and adults. The cause of this type of hair loss could be triggered by certain diets, cancer treatments, emotional stress, medications, and even childbirth.

Trichotillomania is another cause of hair loss and is defined by the habitual twirling or plucking of the hair causing trauma to it. The trauma causes the hair to fall out. The hair loss is patchy.

Alopecia Areta

Alopecia areata is a cause of hair loss identified by well-defined circular patches of hair gone. It is determined that this could be caused by the body's immune system attacking the hair follicles. Dermatologists typically treat this kind of hair loss.

Contrary to popular belief, wearing hats or daily hair wash with a traditional shampoo will not cause hair loss. In any case, daily washing with shampoo is not recommended and unnecessary.

Determining the cause of hair loss is somewhat of an inexact science as many factors contribute to it. But it seems that aside from the traumatic, disease, and chemical causes that genetics seems to be the strongest contributing cause.