Hair loss can be a very disconcerting condition. Although it is not life-threatening, losing one’s hair can create cosmetic, and self-esteem issues. There are a wide range of causes for hair loss. Some of them will produce permanent hair loss, while others will produce a more transient loss of hair.
The medical term for hair loss is alopecia. Alopecia is broadly separated into two categories. The first category is known as scarring alopecia, which involves permanent loss of hair. The second category is non-scarring alopecia in which the hair loss is only temporary.
Most cases of alopecia, especially in men, have no known cause. Male pattern baldness is seen in up to 40% of men, becoming more common as you get older.
Alopecia areata is a condition which causes temporary hair loss in small well-defined patches throughout the body. This can occur just about anywhere, including the arms, legs, beard, and the head. This type of hair loss is temporary, and terror will typically return within several months.
Medications
There are many types of medications which can cause a temporary hair loss. Medications used in chemotherapy for the treatment of cancer are the most common culprits in the development of hair loss. In most cases, the hair will grow back after chemotherapy has been discontinued. Most cases of chemotherapy induced her loss involve only the head, however there are some medications which can cause the loss of hair throughout the rest of the body.
Radiation therapy
Similar to the hair loss seen in chemotherapy for cancer treatment, radiation therapy for cancer treatments can also cause the loss of hair. Again, this hair loss is typically temporary and resolves once the therapy has been discontinued.
Hair is particularly susceptible to being burned. Severe burns, usually third-degree, can cause the loss of the hair follicle under the skin. This leads to a permanent hair loss in the area which has been burned.
There are many species of fungus which can infect the skin and cause a loss of hair. These fungal infections are referred to medically as tinea, and more commonly as ringworm. Ringworm infections will produce patchy areas of hair loss, often with irregular borders. Most cases of fungal infections causing hair loss will result, allowing the hair to grow back.
Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism is a decrease in the normal levels of circulating thyroid hormone in the body. Thyroid hormone is used for many elements of your metabolism. A lack of thyroid can produce a wide range of symptoms, including airlocks. Hair typically becomes course, and very brittle. One common pattern seen in her loss due to hypothyroidism is the loss of hair on the outer edges of your eyebrows.
Hyperthyroidism
Just as a lack of proper amounts of thyroid hormone can cause hair loss, so can too much thyroid hormone. This is most commonly seen in a condition known as thyrotoxicosis. Thyrotoxicosis is a severe and rapid elevation in the amount of thyroid hormone in your body. The hair will become soft and very thin. People with acute thyrotoxicosis will often have a tremor, sweating, heart palpitations, and weight loss, among other symptoms.
Arsenic poisoning
Although this is somewhat rare, poisoning by the chemical arsenic has been known to cause alopecia, typically on the scalp. Arsenic poisoning will also cause severe muscle weakness, loss of vision, and a lack of muscle reflexes.
Some types of dermatitis, specifically seborrheic dermatitis, are capable of causing airlocks. Hair loss seen in seborrheic dermatitis is typically seen on the scalp. Often the skin which has lost terror will become red, dry, and flaky. It is often very itchy as well.
The conditions listed in this article are meant to be a broad overview of some of the possible causes of hair loss. This list is by no means comprehensive. There are many other causes of hair loss which are not quite as common. If you are experiencing a loss of hair anywhere on your body, and are concerned about what the cause may be, make an appointment to talk to your doctor. Working with your doctor, you can determine the cause of your hair loss and work towards a possible solution.
