Hair Loss: Causes

What causes hair loss?

The most common cause of hair loss is hereditary baldness, which medical providers call androgenetic alopecia or male pattern baldness or female pattern baldness. Other causes of hair loss range from specific hair disorders to other underlying diseases, medications, medical treatments, normal hormonal changes, stress, and poor nutrition.

Hair disorders

Hair disorders that can cause hair loss include:

• Alopecia areata (autoimmune disease in which the body attacks its own hair and in which all the body hair can fall out)

• Androgenetic alopecia (hereditary hair loss and the most common cause of hair loss

• Cicatricial alopecia (inflammation that scars and permanently destroys the hair follicles)

• Telogen effluvium (sudden hair loss due to stressful events such as surgery, illness and birth)

• Trichotillomania (psychological disorder in which people pull out their own hair and, in some cases, ingest the hair)

Other diseases, disorders and conditions that can cause hair loss

Hair loss can be caused by other diseases, disorders and conditions including:

• Diabetes

• Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid)

• Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid)

• Ringworm of the scalp (fungal infection)

• Systemic lupus erythematosus (disorder in which the body attacks its own healthy cells and tissues)

Medications and medical treatments that can cause hair loss

Some medications and medical treatments can cause hair loss including:

• Anabolic steroids (muscle-building steroids)

• Birth control pills

• Blood thinners

• Chemotherapy

• Radiation

Hormonal events that can cause hair loss

These normal hormonal changes can also cause you to temporarily lose hair, often abruptly:

• Giving birth (hair loss after birth can occur to both the mother and the baby)

• Menopause

Everyday causes of hair loss

Hair loss can arise from everyday causes including:

• Overuse of hair cleaning and styling products, such as curling and straightening irons, hair spray, shampoo, harsh shampoos, hair colorant, permanents, and hair bands

• Poor nutrition, such as protein or iron deficiency, or overuse of vitamin A supplements

• Weight loss, especially rapid weight loss

What are the potential complications of hair loss?

Hair has significant importance in our society as a sign of health and attractiveness, so loss of your hair can greatly impact your self-image and self-esteem. Many underlying causes of hair loss can be treated, and you can help minimize your risk of complications of hair loss by following the treatment plan you and your health care professional design specifically for you.

Complications of hair loss include:

• Dry skin on the scalp

• Embarrassment

• Poor self-image and self-esteem

• Stress