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What Doctor To See For Hair Loss

The Initial Causes What Doctor Do I See For Hair Loss

Which doctor should I see if Im losing my hair?

The main cause of hair loss is stress. While most of us shed about 50 to 100 strands of hair daily, we also continue to grow new ones at the same rate. This shedding is normal, and its perfectly natural to replace lost hair with new ones. However, if youre losing hair that is excessively slow or isnt growing back, youre experiencing hair fall. There are many possible causes for this condition, but theres no one single solution.

Tinea capitis, also known as scalp ringworm, is a fungal infection that affects the scalp. Symptoms include bald spots and patches of hair loss. Infection may be caused by fungus, and scaly, red patches may develop. In severe cases, sores may develop on the scalp and oozing pus may be present. Treatment with a prescription may be necessary, but the long-term results of taking these medications are not always permanent.

In some cases, temporary hair loss may be the result of a hormonal imbalance. While some women experience hair loss due to hormonal fluctuations, others may experience permanent loss of hair. These changes can be caused by hormones in the body, such as those produced by the thyroid or by the adrenal glands. In severe cases, the loss of hair is caused by medical conditions. Inflammatory diseases can cause an excess of androgen, a male hormone. High levels of vitamin A in the blood and in the body can also result in hair thinning.

How To Get Hair Dye Off Face

Rubbing alcohol and soap is another way to tackle dye stains. Wet a cotton ball with some rubbing alcohol and soap, rub it gently onto the affected area, and rinse when done. You can also apply a soapy mixture of baking soda and dishwashing liquid to the affected area with a washcloth. Rub gently and rinse off.

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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What Else Can Cause Hair Loss

Besides anemia and thyroid conditions, there are many other causes. These can include chemotherapy, certain medications, a severe illness or surgery, giving birth, menopause, low iron levels, polycystic ovary syndrome , extreme stress, physical trauma, dramatic weight loss, eating disorders, higher than normal vitamin A levels, hormones, and the list can go on and on. Further, hair loss can also be self-inflicted by using harsh products such as bleaches or dyes, frequent blow-drying, frequent flat ironing, tight braids, cornrows, tight rubber bands, etc.

The bottom line is: Take care of you and your hair. If you are asking yourself the question âWhy is my hair falling out,â and you donât know the reason for it, then make an appointment to see your doctor. Ask him/her to check all your blood levels to see if there is an underlying condition or deficiency. Tell him/her of all your other symptoms and possible stressors that may have contributed to this problem. Knowing the actual cause of your hair loss hopefully will enable your doctor to recommend a treatment plan.

It is also good to know that if you have hair loss, there are many options out there today. Many women, even those with healthy hair are wearing wigs and extensions every day. Hereâs to you, your health and your hair!

Platelet Rich Plasma Therapy

Hair loss problem  MediMetry

Platelet rich plasma therapy will require a blood sample to get started. After you have blood drawn, the fluid will be placed into a centrifuge that will separate the blood into different components. The platelets, which are a type of blood cell, will be treated and injected into the affected area of your scalp. Its believed that these platelets can help to stimulate new growth.

Although early research is promising for this approach to hair loss treatment, more studies are needed to know whether this is a safe and effective treatment for male pattern baldness.

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How Is Alopecia Diagnosed

Talk to your doctor if youre worried about hair loss. Your doctor will usually be able to find the cause, but might refer you to a dermatologist, who will inspect the area. If they are unsure about whats causing the hair loss, they might take a sample of skin, hair or blood to examine more closely. Your doctor will want to rule out medical conditions that may lead to hair loss.

How Does Weight Loss Surgery Cause Hair Loss

Hair loss is also a common side effect of rapid weight loss following weight loss surgery, such as a gastric bypass, and can start from about 3 months after your operation.

Both the surgery itself, which puts a big stress on your body, and the weight loss that follows can be a cause of hair loss. But as with other causes of telogen effluvium, your hair will usually grow back within 6 months from this time. Be careful to follow the meal plans and medication suggested by your doctor to ensure youre getting enough calories and nutrients, while allowing your stomach and intestines to recover.

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How Is Hair Loss Diagnosed

It is normal for people to experience hair loss between 50 and 100 strands per day. These are the usual developments of life seen by all of us. However, hair loss in numbers exceeding this may indicate another problem. If it is not taken into account and treated, it may cause thinning and baldness problems in the hair.

The best advice that can be given to people about how to understand hair fall is to observe themselves. Especially in the shower and after the daily clothes and pillows, hair loss is visible. Naturally, the rate of shedding can be determined in the healthiest way with the data obtained from here. People should also get a professional review by making a doctors appointment if they are worried. In this way, they can find and apply what is good for hair loss and complete their treatment.

Hair fall in women is as common as in men. In addition, hair loss in women is a very camouflaged condition. For this reason, women generally do not realize their own hair loss problems. This situation is dangerous. Because the person cannot diagnose at an early stage, he may have to struggle with advanced hair loss problems.

The reason for this camouflage is that the female head and hair structure have features to hide shedding. Women can examine this situation in their daily hair care, in the shower and in their hairdressers. It is also always recommended to consult a professional eye directly if they are in doubt.

Should I See A Dermatologist For Hair Loss

Types of Hair Loss | Common Causes, Symptoms & Treatment – Dr. Kavitha GV Mandal

Of course, you can ask for advice from your dermatologist online, but we would recommend seeing him/her personally. Do not make the mistake of thinking that a dermatologist is only trained to take care of any skin issues. Your dermatologist is able to recognize and treat any issues that are linked, not only to your skin but also to your nails and hair. That is why, during your visit at the dermatologist, you will be asked to take away most of your clothes, so that your doctor can inspect the whole skin, your scalp and hair, and your nails to look for any irregularities.

Of course, your dermatologist will also ask you about your medical history and perform a physical exam. Other tests such as a blood test or a hormone test might be required as well. For example, if your dermatologist discovers that it is really a serious hair loss case that you are dealing with, he/she would naturally want to investigate further and discover the reason behind it. You might be instructed to expand your visit to an endocrinologist or even another dermatologist due to the importance of a second opinion.

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What Is Hair Loss

The term hair loss is used to refer to a diverse range of conditions that can cause you to lose hair. Hair loss can be permanent, such as the hair loss caused by male pattern baldness, or a temporary issue caused by medication, stress, a medical condition or a dietary issue.

There are several different types of hair loss that can affect men, each with different symptoms and treatment requirements. Common types of hair loss include:

Our full guide to the types of hair loss provides more information on why hair loss develops, as well as the specific types of hair loss that may affect you.

Are You Suffering From Hair Loss Problems

Now you are aware of doctors who can help you in treating your hair loss problem. To determine your hair loss problems, it would help if you had a clear picture of what is troubling you.

  • Whether your hair loss has been temporary or chronic.
  • Is your hair loss patchy?
  • Are you suffering from any other problems?
  • Is your hair only thinning or falling out and balding as well?
  • The nature of your lifestyle and your dealings with stress.
  • Whether anyone in your family has experienced similar hair loss.
  • If you are suffering from any other condition like thyroid disorders.
  • What medications you are on.

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Hair Loss: Common Causes And Treatment

T. GRANT PHILLIPS, MD W. PAUL SLOMIANY, MD and ROBERT ALLISON, DO, Washington Health Systems Family Medicine Residency, Washington, Pennsylvania

Am Fam Physician. 2017 Sep 15 96:371-378.

Patient information: See related handout on hair loss.

Patients with hair loss will often consult their family physician first. Hair loss is not life threatening, but it is distressing and significantly affects the patient’s quality of life. The pattern of hair loss may be obvious, such as the bald patches that occur in alopecia areata, or more subtle, such as the diffuse hair loss that occurs in telogen effluvium. As with most conditions, the physician should begin the evaluation with a detailed history and physical examination. It is helpful to determine whether the hair loss is nonscarring , which is reversible, or scarring , which is permanent. Scarring alopecia is rare and has various etiologies, including autoimmune diseases such as discoid lupus erythematosus. If the follicular orifices are absent, the alopecia is probably scarring these patients should be referred to a dermatologist. This article will discuss approaches to nonscarring causes of alopecia.

SORT: KEY RECOMMENDATIONS FOR PRACTICE

Topical minoxidil is safe and effective for the treatment of androgenetic alopecia in women.

SORT: KEY RECOMMENDATIONS FOR PRACTICE

Topical minoxidil is safe and effective for the treatment of androgenetic alopecia in women.

What Kind Of A Doctor Should I Consult For My Hair Fall Problems

When Hair Loss Strikes, a Doctor Is a Girls Best Friend ...

Because different conditions such as thyroiditis, hypopituitarism, congenital adrenal hyperplasia and polycystic ovarian syndrome can cause hair loss, you may need to see a doctor who is a dermatologist or an endocrinologist for treatment. A dermatologist can treat hair loss, which is hereditary, and an endocrinologist can diagnose and treat hair loss symptoms associated with various endocrine disorders.

A trichologist too can effectively treat your hair loss symptoms. A trichologist is a doctor who specializes in the study of hair and can treat baldness, hair breakage, itchy/flaking scalp and different forms of alopecia.

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How Common Is Hair Loss In Women

Many people think that hair loss only affects men. However, it is estimated that more than 50% of women will experience noticeable hair loss. The most significant cause of hair loss in women is female-pattern hair loss , which affects about one-third of susceptible women, which equals out to some 30 million women in the United States.

How Does Weight Loss Cause Hair Loss

If youve been trying to lose weight or youve lost weight quickly, your hair loss may be due to a condition called telogen effluvium. This is when something disturbs your hairs normal growth cycle and pushes more hairs into the resting, or telogen phase, leading to more of your hairs falling out than usual. Its often triggered by a shock or a big stress on your body this can include intentional weight loss.

You might also be losing hair because your body isnt getting the nutrients it needs, for example if youre following a diet that involves eating very few calories or cutting out whole food groups. This sort of restrictive diet can mean your body isnt getting enough energy or the right nutrients to function properly. In this case, whatever energy is available is sent to your bodys most vital organs instead, and away from less important areas like your hair follicles, which may affect the health of your hair.

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What Questions Might Your Healthcare Provider Ask To Diagnose And Categorize Your Hair Loss

Your healthcare provider might ask about your habits:

  • What kinds of hair products do you use?
  • What kinds of hair styles do you wear?
  • What types of food do you eat ?
  • Do you have a habit of pulling your hair out ?

They might ask about your history:

  • Has anyone in your immediate family experienced hair loss?
  • Is there anything stressful going on in your life?
  • What medications and supplements do you take every day?
  • Has hair loss ever happened to you before?
  • What foods are in your diet?

And, they might ask about your observations:

  • How long have you been losing hair?
  • Have you been shedding more?
  • Have you noticed hair loss in places other than your scalp, like your eyebrows? Leg and arm hair?
  • Does anything worsen your hair loss?
  • Does anything improve your hair loss?
  • Have you noticed hair loss occasionally or has it been going on continuously?
  • Have you noticed if your hair growth has changed?
  • Has your hair been breaking more often?

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