Hair Loss: Cause, Diagnosis And Treatment
Hair loss occurs when a person loses hair in patches or all over. It can occur on the scalp or other areas of the body. It can affect almost anyone, but it is more common in men. Some people lose their hair with age. Many people seek out treatment for their hair loss problems, and other people are not bothered by it. Many treatment options are successful in reversing hair loss.
Risk Factors for Hair Loss
Certain people are more at risk of losing their hair than others. People who have a history of hair loss in their family are likely to suffer from it themselves. The age at which hair loss begins can also be genetic. People with certain health problems such as alopecia are also likely to suffer from hair loss.
Causes of Hair Loss
Many things can cause hair loss. Some are medical related, and others may be due to environmental factors. Some medications may also cause hair loss. Finding the cause of the patient’s hair loss is essential in choosing the right treatment. Some other common causes of hair loss include:
- Alopecia areata
- Hyperthyroidism
- Acute stress disorder
- Lichen planus
- Hodgkin’s disease
- Underactive pituitary disease
- Syphilis
- Hashimoto’s disease
- Lupus
- Addison’s disease
- Systematic sclerosis
- Celiac disease
- ITO syndrome
Diagnosis of Hair Loss
A doctor can diagnose hair loss with a physical exam. The doctor checks the patient to make sure they are healthy and inspect the site of the hair loss. Doctors will also use tests to confirm the hair loss and determine the cause of it. Some common tests used to diagnose hair loss include:
- Blood test
- Pull test
- Scalp biopsy
- Light microscopy
Treatment of Hair Loss
There is no cure for hair loss, but it can be treated. Doctors may use a variety of different treatments. In most cases, the treatment plan depends on the cause of the hair loss. If a patient is taking medication or participating in certain activities causing the hair loss, the doctor may advise the patient to stop them. Some common hair loss treatments include:
- Medications
- Laser surgery
- Hair transplants
- Diet change
- Lifestyle change
- Stress therapy
Prognosis of Hair Loss
Many people have success with hair loss treatments. Most people start with medications and attempt to grow back their hair. If that doesn’t work, they may move to laser surgery. Hair transplants are usually the last resort because they are the most aggressive and require longer recovery. Some people can regrow a majority of their hair while others may only see limited results. More than one treatment option is sometimes necessary for a patient to see complete results.
Complications of Hair Loss
Hair loss itself does not have any complications aside from cosmetic issues. The cause of hair loss may lead to other symptoms and complications. Hair loss treatments can have some complications. The more aggressive the treatment is the higher the risk of complications. Some of the most common complications that occur with hair loss treatment include rash, infection, skin irritation etc.
