Why Does Hair Fall Out
The hair on your head goes through a life cycle that involves growth, resting, and shedding. Its common for people to lose around 100 hairs a day.
If you experience more sudden loss, loss in patches, or overall thinning, you may want to see your doctor.
Some shedding is temporary and may respond well to changes in diet, certain treatments, or lifestyle changes. Other loss may be more permanent or not stop until an underlying condition is treated.
Signs You Should Get Help For Alopecia
Hair loss can be a symptom of something else going on in your body. It’s also easier to treat before you lose a lot of hair. Make an appointment with a dermatologist, a doctor who specializes in hair, skin and nail problems. The doctor will examine you to find the cause of your hair loss and tell you what you can expect.
Common symptoms of alopecia include:
- Sudden loosening or shedding of hair: It may come out in handfuls when you comb or wash your hair and result in hair thinning.
- Gradual thinning of hair: Hair may recede from the forehead in men. Women may experience a widening where they part their hair. This is the most common type of hair loss.
- Balding in patches: It may affect the scalp, beard or eyebrows.
- Full-body hair loss: Loss of nose hair or eyelashes may leave you more susceptible to infections.
How Can I Stop My Hair Loss
Eliminating the variables that cause your hair loss is the first step to stopping your hair loss. Be aware that there is not a magical solution. You may start with lifestyle changes and dietary updates. You can reduce alcohol consumption and smoking, and start taking supplementary and pharmacological medications. Most importantly, consult with a dermatologist whose specialty is scalp and hair loss to understand the root cause.
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What Doctor Should You See For Hair Loss
September 25th, 2018
Great news! There are hair loss doctors that specialize in treating just women. Choosing which one to go see can be tricky. Hopefully, our insight can help make that a bit easier. We must state that were not doctors and therefore we can not provide medical advice. This post is based upon opinions and reviews from our own experiences and those of family and close friends.
Many conditions can sometimes be diagnosed and treated within the care of one doctor. Others may not be able it may take a few different doctors to truly diagnosis the issue, and then also the care of a few doctors to see what is the best course of treatment. This may be due to there being more than one underlying issue or the reason behind the problem.
Like many people, we also find comfort in more than just one opinion. Personally, I like to speak to a few different doctors if I have been told there is something serious going in my health which requires a form of treatment. I like to know if there are other options as well. I would suggest going to speak to a few different doctors personally. This is true also with hair loss doctors.
What Can I Do At Home To Prevent Hair Loss
Dr. Egesi recommends lifestyle adjustments that may help prevent hair loss. You may need to change the way you care for your hair, such as less processing, to keep it healthy and beautiful. Whether you have a weave or youre all-natural, Dr. Egesi helps you achieve the gorgeous, healthy hair you want.
Use online booking or call Humble Dermatology for your appointment now.
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Causes And Symptoms Of Alopecia
Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disorder that causes you to lose hair and often leaves little bald spots on your head. Our hair is made up of mostly protein. When our body does not have enough protein, the hairs enter the resting phase. This causes us to lose hair and hair to become brittle and fall out. Alopecia is both hereditary and hormonal. It affects both males and females and can happen at any age. There are many causes related to alopecia. Causes include severe or chronic illness, thyroid disease, low-protein diets, low iron levels and improper hair care. It is also common after childbirth. If hair loss occurs, the hairs may enter a resting phase and are lost without immediate replacement. It could last up to nine months but should resolve itself without treatment. This also may be the case if you have a chronic illness.
Alopecia occurs when hair follicles are attacked by your own body, causing clumps of hair to fall out. While rare, there is a potential to lose all the hair on your head and/or on your entire body. Males are more likely to lose all their hair while women mostly experience thinning. Sometimes the hair grows back for good and other times it grows back and then falls out again shortly after. Unfortunately, alopecia is not curable, but can and should be treated by a dermatologist. During diagnosis, a skin biopsy may be performed and examined to properly diagnose the alopecia.
Can Pulling Back My Hair Back Cause Thinning
Short answer: Yes. “Excessive tension on the hair may result in permanent hair loss, especially along the front and sides of the scalp,” says Dr. Zeichner. “Known as traction alopecia, the hair follicles are damaged from constant pulling of the hair. It is commonly seen when patients wear their hair in braids,” he explains.
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How Can I Stop My Hair From Thinning
This, too, is a question all three doctors hear frequently, and they say there are myriad ways to prevent hair loss. “Minoxidilnot new or sexy, but very effectiveworks to decrease hair shedding and promote new hair growth,” Dr. Engelman explains. “Minoxidils mechanism of action is believed to be due to an effect on the calcium channels in the hair cells. Minoxidil increases the capillary blood flow to the dermis of the skin where the follicle residespromotes oxygen, blood, and nutrients to the hair folliclesto make them stronger and help re-grow hair,” she explains. Over-the-counter Rogaine and some dietary supplements, like viviscal, are also effective, says Dr. Zeichner, who adds that prescription options such Propecia or spironolactone can be acquired after a visit to your dermatologist.
In-office treatments are also on the rise. Among the most common is platelet-rich plasma, or PRP, with Dr. Engelman says is very effective . “It’s a hair loss treatment that withdraws a patients own blood, processes the enriched cells, and injects them back into the scalp,” Dr. Engelman explains. “The platelet-rich plasma contains the proteins needed to stimulate hair growth.” Botulinum toxin is being studied for hair regrowth as well, says Dr. Engelman. “The initial studies show promise with 50 percent of test subjects experiencing new hair growth,” she says. “These results aren’t published yet, but my colleagues who only work in hair restoration substantiate these numbers.”
Hair Loss: 9 Dermatologist
Yadira G. Morel / Getty Images
Have you been worried that you’re shedding more hair than usual? Do more and more strands seem to be coming loose, or does your hair seem to be thinning at your part? It’s absolutely normal to lose hair regularly. In fact, Gary Goldenberg of Goldenberg Dermatology in New York City says that losing as many as 100 strands a day is standard. But when you start noticing significant hair loss in the shower, on your pillow, or on your brush after brushing, it’s time to visit a dermatologist for evaluation.
To address, assuage, and provide solutions for any hair loss concerns, we reached out to Goldenberg and certified trichologist Gretchen Friese, to give us the 101 on hair loss treatments. “The most common cause for hair thinning and hair loss is genetics,” says Goldenberg. “The genetic male or female pattern hair loss is extremely common and can start to manifest as early as in the 20s.” Read on to learn more about the best hair-loss treatments according to our experts.
Meet the Expert
- Gary Goldenberg is a board-certified dermatologist at Goldenberg Dermatology in New York City.
- Gretchen Friese is a BosleyMD Certified Trichologist in Denver, CO.
Piotr Marcinski / EyeEm / Getty Images
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Alopecia Treatment At Rush
We offer both nonsurgical and surgical treatments for alopecia. If your hair loss is caused by an underlying condition or reaction to a medication, your hair will often grow back on its own once the condition is treated or medication changed.
Your dermatologist can offer medications and procedures to treat alopecia. Your treatment will depend on what is causing your hair loss.
Are These Issues Unavoidable
Often the answer is yes, but there are many things that wecan do to help reduce a patients risk. To start, its important that patientsare counseled on these dermatologic side effects so that they recognize themand seek treatment as soon as possible. There is also a lot of researchunderway looking at treatments and early interventions to prevent more severereactions.
For example, some studies have shown that certain oralantibiotics and creams can reduce the risk of acne rashes from targetedtherapies. Cooling of the hands and feet during certain chemotherapy infusionscan sometimes reduce skin and nail changes, although this isnt alwayssuccessful. More recently, clinical trials have shown that localized cooling ofthe scalp may help reduce the chance of hair loss for certain chemotherapies.There are a lot of exciting things going on in this field and furtherinvestigation will tell us how effective and safe these strategies are.
We are currently studying the effect of cooling strategieson combating hair loss from certain chemos. By researching the impact ofdermatologic reactions on patients prognosis, quality of life and effect oncancer treatments, we can better develop treatment strategies to improvepatients lives.
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What Specific Issues Can Cancer Patients Have With Theirskin
Nearly all cancer treatments, including chemotherapy,immunotherapy and radiation therapy, have the potential to cause skinreactions, which can vary, depending on the type and length of treatment. Andindividual patients react differently to treatments.
Traditional chemotherapy can result in many types of rashesthat may be itchy or painful, including swollen hands and feet. Even the mucouslining of the mouth and genitals may be involved, which canresult in painful sores. Patients who develop mucositis of the mouth may havedifficulty eating and drinking, which can impact nutrition.
Newer, targeted chemo treatments may result in more specificskin reactions, and it is important to recognize and treat these early beforethey worsen. Many look like widespread acne on the face and body, which canlead to infection. Other side effects can include painful cracks and calluseson the hands and feet that, in severe cases, may blister. This reaction can beassociated with tingling, numbness and pain.
The newer immune therapies may also result in rashes thatlook like eczema and psoriasis, which can be itchy and painful. Vitiligo, orloss of skin and hair pigmentation, may develop in some patients. Severeblistering rashes may also occur, although these are less common.
Patients may also develop rashes from radiation, as well asburns and eczema that can spread even outside the radiated area. There can alsobe long-term changes of the skin, including color and texture.
How Can A Dermatologist Diagnose Hair Loss
If youre losing hair, visiting a medical dermatology clinic is one of the best steps you can take. A dermatologist can assess your hair loss and pinpoint a specific diagnosis. They will then find an appropriate treatment if applicable.
During your appointment, the dermatologist will ask you questions about your hair loss and overall health. Theyll ask how long youve noticed the hair loss, whether youre taking any medications, and if you have a family history of hair loss or baldness.
The doctor will also examine your nails and scalp, as the health of these areas might provide clues for diagnosis. The specific pattern of your hair loss can indicate a specific diagnosis as well. In some cases, they will perform a blood test and scalp biopsy to check for medical conditions that might cause hair to fall out.
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Hair Loss: Tips For Managing
Dermatologists often offer their patients who have hair loss the following tips.1. Practice good hair care. Many people are surprised to learn that a hairstyle or even the way they wash and dry their hair has contributed to their hair loss. 2. Do not stop taking a medicine that your doctor prescribed. Some medicines can cause hair loss. Doctors warn that you should not stop taking a medicine that your doctor prescribed if you see hair loss. Immediately stopping some medicines can cause serious side effects.If you think a medicine may be causing hair loss, talk with the doctor who prescribed the medicine. Ask if the medicine could be causing your hair loss. If the medicine seems to be the cause, ask your doctor whether you can take another medicine.3. Realize that your hair loss may be temporary. Some things in life cause temporary hair loss. These include illness, childbirth, and stress.
During a very stressful time, your body may react by causing more hairs than normal to go into resting phase. The medical term for this condition is telogen effluvium . During telogen effluvium, the body sheds a dramatic amount of hair. For most people, the hair will start to grow again without any help.4. Make an appointment to see a dermatologist. Many things can cause hair loss. If hair loss concerns you, be sure to see a dermatologist. A dermatologist can find the cause and tell you what you what to expect.
Patterns Of Female Hair Loss
Clinicians use the Ludwig Classification to describe female pattern hair loss. Type I is minimal thinning that can be camouflaged with hair styling techniques. Type II is characterized by decreased volume and noticeable widening of the mid-line part. Type III describes diffuse thinning, with a see-through appearance on the top of the scalp.
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Common Types Of Hair Loss
Androgenetic Alopecia
The old saying that baldness genes come only from your mothers side of the family simply isnt true. Baldness actually comes from both of your parents genetic makeup .
The most extensive and most common type of hair loss is androgenetic alopecia, which is genetic hair loss, and occurs in both men and women. In men, androgenetic alopecia is also referred to as male-pattern baldness where the hair recedes above the temples and the crown of the head. In women, this type occurs throughout the entire head, becoming thinner and thinner all over but rarely resulting in total baldness.
Alopecia Areata
Alopecia doesnt just affect adults. When younger kids or teens experience Alopecia Areata, they lose hair in a round formation due to an autoimmune issue. The hair is there, but its not growing correctly and is often very smooth and fine. The most common treatment for this condition is a steroid injection under the skin. Alopecia can cause someone to lose all of the hair on their head or across their entire body, depending on its severity.
Traction Hair Loss
Traction hair loss occurs most often in women and is generally very gradual. Its primary cause is the result of hair being pulled or tugged on repeatedly. For example, when someone wears their hair in a tight ponytail, braids, or other restricting hair styles. This condition can also be caused by someone chronically pulling their hair out. Telogen Effluvium
Next, lets dive into a few treatment options.