Hair loss: symptoms, causes, treatment, etc. & bull; hello healthy

Definition of hair loss

Hair loss is a condition when strands of hair fall off from the scalp or other areas of the body. This condition is similar to alopecia (baldness) and is caused by various things including genetic factors, hormonal changes, and consumption of certain drugs.

Hair loss can occur in a number of different ways, depending on the cause. These scalp problems can occur suddenly or gradually, and affect parts of the scalp or the entire body.

Some cases of loss can be temporary, while some are permanent. If not handled properly, this condition can lead to baldness.

How common is hair loss?

Hair loss is a common problem and can occur in anyone of all ages. However, research shows that hair loss is more common in men than women.

The factors that often trigger hair loss are age and heredity. However, this problem can be controlled by reducing the existing risk factors. Consult with a hair doctor to find out the causes and treatment.

Types of hair loss

There are many types of hair loss problems, depending on the symptoms and causes, including the following.

Androgenic alopecia

Androgenetic alopecia is the most common type of hair loss. This condition can occur in both men and women, but with different symptoms and causes. Although triggered by heredity, androgenetic alopecia can be controlled with certain treatments.

In men, this condition can start at any time, especially after entering puberty and develop for several years afterward. Hair loss will begin above the temples and continue around the top of the head.

It also often leaves ring-shaped baldness along the underside of the scalp. Most men who experience this end up going bald.

In women, androgenetic alopecia tends to start with thinning of the hair all over the scalp. However, their hairline will not shrink.

Generally, this type of hair loss is part of the aging process, but it can happen at any time. Although it causes severe hair loss, it rarely causes baldness.

Traction alopecia

This type of hair loss occurs when the hair is tied or pulled too often for a long period of time. The characteristics of traction alopecia include:

• small white or red bumps around the hair follicles (around the roots),
• itching in the area where the hair is tied,
• appear scales on the scalp, as well
• loss occurs symmetrically.

This can happen because when the hair is tied too long it will easily be released from the follicle. If the hair ties are left too long, this condition can lead to permanent hair loss.

Hair that is too long to be pulled or tied will easily fall out of the follicle, making it easier for hair to fall out. If the hair ties are left too long, they have the potential to cause permanent hair loss.

Alopecia areata

Alopecia areata is hair loss caused by an autoimmune disorder. Here are the symptoms that appear.

• Excessive hair loss.
• Nails are rough, appear white dots, and are more brittle.
• A circular bald spot appears on the back of the scalp.

The immune system of people with alopecia attacks the hair follicles. As a result, hair loss occurs in large numbers and there is a risk of total baldness (alopecia totalis) or baldness all over the body (alopecia universalis).

Alopecia universalis

Alopecia universalis is a fairly rare hair loss. This condition occurs when hair in all parts of the body falls out with symptoms:

• itching, and
• hair loss occurs on the scalp, eyebrows, armpits, back, chest, and legs.

So far, the cause of alopecia universalis is not certain. However, this condition is thought to be related to autoimmune diseases and genetic factors.

Telogen effluvium

Telogen effluvium is a type of hair loss that occurs suddenly and in large amounts. This condition usually occurs when the scalp enters the resting phase of the hair growth cycle (telogen).

Unfortunately, the growth phase did not occur. As a result, loss occurs on the scalp without any hair growing. The good news is, this condition does not cause total baldness even though you have lost 300-500 hairs per day and the hair appears thinning.

There are also various factors that cause telogen effluvium, namely:

• give birth,
• high fever,
• Major operation,
• psychological problems,
• severe chronic disease,
• thyroid problems,
• strict diet, lack of protein and iron, as well
• use of certain drugs, such as isotretinoin or warfarin.

In addition, telogen effluvium usually occurs three months after performing a medical procedure. If it is temporary, such as recovering from an illness or stopping taking medication that causes hair loss, the hair may grow back.

If it lasts more than six months, this type of loss is considered a chronic problem.

Tinea capitis

If excessive hair loss occurs in your child, it is possible that it is due to a fungal infection of the scalp. This condition called tinea capitis causes the following symptoms.

• Mild fever.
• Hair loss is sometimes circular in shape.
• Bald spots appear, which can become enlarged.
• The scalp looks red, scaly, and feels itchy.
• Sometimes it causes swollen glands at the back of the neck.

If treated immediately, the hair will grow back normally.

Scarring alopecia

This loss, also known as cicatricial alopecia, occurs due to inflammation or abnormalities in the skin. Inflammation can be caused by folliculitis, lichen planus, lupus, and cellulite.

Signs and symptoms of hair loss

One of the most noticeable features of hair loss is the loss of strands more than normal. Normally, humans experience hair loss as much as 50-100 strands every day.

If there are more than this number, you may find strands of hair in your clothes, drains, or combs. In addition, there are a variety of other symptoms that can be a sign of a loss problem, including:

• hair thinning gradually,
• there is a part of the scalp which pitak (bald spots),
• thinning hairline, as well
• hair that is tied up thinner.

Most cases show that the above symptoms tend to appear gradually. This characteristic of hair loss may not be very visible. That's why many people don't realize that they experience hair loss for months to years.

When to see a doctor

If the hair loss feels bothersome, consult a doctor immediately. For women who experience frontal fibrosing alopecia (receding hairline), contact a doctor to prevent permanent baldness.

You also need to consult a dermatologist if the hair loss is uneven or the amount is not normal when shampooing or combing. The reason is, sudden and excessive hair loss can be a sign of certain health problems.

Cause of this condition

The signs and symptoms of hair loss mentioned above are the most common traits that occur in everyone. However, hair loss actually has more variable symptoms, depending on the cause.

Some of the causes of hair loss below are often experienced by most people.

Family history

One of the causes of hair loss is heredity related to age. This condition, called androgenic alopecia, can occur in men and women with different symptoms and causes.

This one hair loss usually happens gradually and is more noticeable. The reason is, the symptoms begin with a receding hairline and bald spots in men. Meanwhile, the hair will thin along the scalp in women.

Certain health problems

If you have the diseases below, you have the potential to experience hair loss.

• thyroid problems,
• autoimmune disease,
• scalp infections, as well
• hair-pulling disorders, such as trichotillomania.

In addition, hormonal changes can also cause hair loss, especially during pregnancy, childbirth and menopause.

Certain drugs

Hair loss can also be a side effect of using certain drugs, namely:

• cancer drugs,
• antidepressants,
• heart disease medication, as well
• gout and high blood pressure.

Trauma

Did you know that it turns out that trauma that upsets a person's emotions can be the cause of hair loss? Even so, this condition generally lasts a while.

Risk factors for hair loss

Hair loss can happen to anyone. However, there are various factors that can increase a person's risk of experiencing this, including the following.

Genetic factors

If you have a family member who has experienced hair loss, there is a chance that the same thing will happen to you. Genetic factors also affect age, how quickly and the severity of shedding.

Age

As we get older, more and more hair follicles stop producing new hair cells. As a result, hair falls out as you get older.

Lack of protein

Low protein intake in the body can cause changes in the condition of the skin, nails and hair. Hair will also be released from the follicle faster because it lacks keratin.

Hormonal changes

Hormonal changes, especially during pregnancy, childbirth, and menopause, can also cause temporary hair loss.

Certain drugs and therapies

The cause of a person being more prone to hair loss also has to do with certain drugs and therapies. For example, drugs for cancer, heart problems, hypertension, and birth control pills can cause hair loss.

In addition, radiation therapy and chemotherapy for cancer sufferers also have the potential to cause hair loss.

How to care for the wrong hair

Incorrect hair care can also cause hair loss, such as:

• tying hair too tight,
• wash your hair often,
• using hair dye products,
• bleaching , and
• using hair straighteners.

Apart from damaging the hair, some of the habits above also speed up the hair loss process.

Diagnosis of this condition

Before making a diagnosis, your doctor may perform a physical examination first. In addition, they will also ask questions about your diet, hair care routine, and your family medical history.

After that, you may undergo a variety of tests as follows.

Blood test

This test can help determine medical conditions related to hair loss, such as thyroid disease.

Hair pull test

The doctor will pull a few strands of your hair slowly to find out how much hair loss and damage you are experiencing.

Scalp biopsy

This test aims to find out if there is an infection on the skin or there is a problem with your hair follicles. The doctor will collect a skin sample or some plucked hair for further examination.

Light microscopy

The doctor will use a special tool to check the hair that is trimmed at the base for any interference from the hair shaft.

Medicines and hair loss treatment

Fortunately, there are a variety of ways you can treat hair loss. However, the treatment of this problem must be according to your cause and condition.

Doctors will usually recommend drugs, surgery, laser therapy, to wigs as treatment. It aims to increase hair growth, slow down, or hide hair loss.

Drugs

If hair loss is caused by a disease, treatment is needed to treat the disease. Meanwhile, the drugs that cause hair loss will be temporarily stopped.

Here are some types of drugs that doctors commonly prescribe to treat hair loss.

• Rogaine (minoxidil) to stimulate hair follicles to grow back.
• Propecia (finasteride) for people with androgenic alopecia, especially men.
• Spironolactone, which is commonly used by women to reduce levels of hormones that cause hair loss.
• Corticosteroids that are prescribed for hair loss caused by autoimmune diseases.
• Anthralin to control inflammation in the scalp, especially in the hair follicles.
• Diphencyprone helps lengthen hair.

Surgery for hair loss

In addition to drugs, doctors will usually recommend surgery, including:

• hair transplant, namely implanting the remaining hair in the bald part, and
• laser therapy to stimulate hair cell growth in the follicles.

If your scalp doesn't respond after undergoing the above treatments, another alternative option is to use a wig.

Home remedies

You may want to try some hair loss treatments that you can do at home to feel more confident, which are as follows.

• Use styling products to add volume.
• Choose a hairstyle that keeps the flared sections covered.
• Use a wig or a hair tie.
• Follow a nutritionally balanced diet.
• Avoid tying hair too tight and too long.
• Reduce the habit of pulling or rubbing your hair roughly.
• Massage the scalp while shampooing.
• Use a wide-toothed comb to prevent hair from pulling out.
• Limit the use of styling tools, such as flat iron or curling iron.

If you have further questions, please consult a dermatologist to get the right solution.