What Underlying Conditions Cause Hair Loss

What Are The Symptoms Of Lupus In Adults

Symptoms

• Joint pain, stiffness and swelling.
• Butterfly-shaped rash on the face that covers the cheeks and bridge of the nose or rashes elsewhere on the body.
• Skin lesions that appear or worsen with sun exposure.
• Fingers and toes that turn white or blue when exposed to cold or during stressful periods.

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What Is Hair Loss

Most healthy people lose up to 100 strands of hair per day. As part of your hairs growth cycle, new strands grow and take the place of the ones you shed.

When you start to shed more strands and fewer or none grow back the condition is considered alopecia . There are several types of hair loss, and it can affect adults of any gender and even children. You may lose hair just on your head or from your body as well.

Development Of Pathophysiologically Specific Therapeutic Approaches

Hair loss disorders are common dermatological problems. Hair loss can be caused by external insults, e.g., burn or trauma, which can be irreversible . The more common hair loss conditions are caused by immuno- or infection-mediated destruction of HFs or by hair cycle dysregulation. The former is represented by AA, in which the bulbar portion of anagen-stage HFs is damaged by an autoimmune reaction or scarring alopecia caused by destruction of HF stem cells . The latter is typified by MPHL and FPHL, which are characterized by acceleration of the hair cycle with HF miniaturization . Unlike the hair loss caused by physical HF damage, these subtypes of hair loss cannot be cured without resolving the underlying condition. Importantly, in most hair loss conditions, the HF structures are not destroyed . Accordingly, the most straightforward regenerative approach, i.e., bioengineering of complete HFs from hiPSCs and transplantation may not always be required .

Michael T. Murray ND, in, 2020

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Can I Prevent Abnormal Hair Loss

Most types of hair loss cant be prevented. However, there are a few things you can do that may help keep your hair healthy and strong for longer, including to avoid:

• tight hairstyles, such as braids, buns or ponytails
• twisting, rubbing or pulling your hair
• hair lotions that are heavily perfumed
• excessive heat treatments
• undue exposure to ultra-violet light from the sun or sunbeds, which expose you to higher levels of UV radiation than the sun.

Other useful actions to take involve stopping smoking. as well as having a balanced diet. This should include eggs, berries, avocados and nuts all are thought to help healthy hair grow, along with Vitamins A and C, biotin and, in some cases, vitamin B12.

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.

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Understanding Types Of Disease That Cause Hair Loss

Bald spots, thinning, and breakage can be symptoms of a serious underlying health condition such as alopecia, lupus, thyroid issues, and other common types of disease that cause hair loss. If you have noticed a dramatic increase in shedding or other change in the appearance of your hair, Drs. Robert J. Dorin and Robert H. True can help. During an evaluation at one of our offices serving Manhattan, NYC, and communities throughout the greater NYC area, we can discuss your options and provide you with solutions to restore your appearance and confidence.

Amongst a growing list of issues and concerns, hair loss can then lead to additional stress and anxiety during times of illness.

Infections That Cause Hair Loss

A number of infections and illnesses can lead to hair loss. An infection that causes a high fever, a fungal skin infection, and bacterial infections like syphilis can all be responsible for balding or thinning hair. Treating the underlying infection can restore hair growth and prevent future hair loss. So your first step is to seek medical attention for the primary health problem.

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What Medical Conditions Cause Hair Loss

Hair loss may occur as a symptom of a medical condition, or as a side effect of treatment/medication.

In any case, hair loss can be a traumatic experience for men and women .

And this extra strain only makes dealing with serious medical complaints more difficult.

If youre worried about your hair loss reasons, contact your GP as soon as possible.

They may be able to eliminate common medical conditions and set your mind at ease.

To answer the question why is my hair falling out, we need to examine it from different aspects. Here are five common medical conditions causing hair loss:

> > > Breaking: Bald Guy Cuts Off Scalp Skin And Fixes Hair Loss

Besides medications, the treatment for hair loss can also include a hair transplant. In this procedure, small pieces of the scalp containing hair follicles are transferred to the bald areas. The surgery can be risky because it involves the usual risks of surgery, including shock and pain. Furthermore, it is expensive and is often not covered by insurance. But if you dont want to live with a bald area thats affecting your confidence and your appearance, hair transplant surgery may be the right option.

If the baldness is caused by a fungal infection, you can consider undergoing a hair transplant. In this procedure, tiny pieces of scalp are removed and moved to the bald spots. Despite the risks, this procedure is highly effective and is often covered by health insurance plans. A hair transplant can cost thousands of dollars, and you will most likely need to pay a large part of it out of pocket. The only downside to hair transplant surgery is the high cost.

Although alopecia is an embarrassing problem for many people, it can also be caused by trauma. People who undergo painful procedures on their hair may be at risk for traumatizing alopecia. This condition often results in thinning or falling hair. In some cases, the scalp becomes red and the scalp can even become inflamed. Antibiotics and antimalarial drugs may also be prescribed to help treat this disorder.

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You Have High Blood Pressure Or High Cholesterol And You’re Taking Medication For It

Medications for lowering cholesterol like simvastatin and atorvastatin often come with hair loss as a side effect, according to Dr. Shapiro. The chances of this are rare, with just 1% of people who take statin-based medications reporting hair loss, according to Harvard Medical School.

Blood pressure medications that are also beta blockers have been known to cause hair loss, although doctors are still unsure about the exact mechanism at play.

It’s up to you and your healthcare provider to weigh the options before stopping or starting a medication that could be potentially related to hair loss.

“People have to see their doctors to determine if is medicine-related, then they may want to stop, but other times they may not,” Dr. Shapiro said.

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What Are The Complications Of Hair Loss

Losing your hair whether the hair loss is temporary or permanent can be emotionally difficult for many people. Some types of hair loss can eventually lead to baldness.

If you lose significant hair, its important to protect your scalp. Wear a hat, scarf or other head covering when youre in the sun, and apply sunscreen daily. Sun exposure increases the risk of skin cancer.

/6factors That Can Lead To Hair Loss

There are numerous reasons behind why one experiences hair loss. It could either be hereditary or an outcome of medical treatments or even due to an underlying disease. While losing hair is not something to be worried about, in case it is extreme and is leading to baldness, you must address it and find out the source of your problem.

Following are some of the health conditions that can lead to major hair loss or thinning of hair and may need medical intervention.

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You Have A Rash On Your Face Or Body

Lupus, like hypothyroidism or an iron deficiency, is an autoimmune disease with hair loss as a common symptom. Additionally, lupus can cause full-body rashes as a response to organs becoming inflamed, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Oftentimes, these rashes will come and go and are referred to as “flares.” Other lupus symptoms include dry eyes and joint pain, so if you notice any of these effects, you should see your doctor.

Hair Cycle Of Growth And Rest

Like your skin and nails, your hair goes through a finely tuned cycle of growth and rest. There are 3 phases in a hair cycle:

• In the first stage, your scalp hair is continually growing. During this anagen phase, your hair grows about 12cm per month. About 90% of your hair is in this stage at any one time. It lasts between 25 years.
• The second stage, called the catagen phase, is when growth stops. About 13% of your scalp hair is in this phase at any one time. It lasts for 23 weeks.
• The third stage, the telogen phase, is a resting phase that lasts between 14 months. About 10% of your scalp hair is in this phase at any one time.

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What Support Is Available With Abnormal Hair Loss

Hair loss can be distressing and difficult to accept initially. Talking with others who have experienced hair loss may help. If you need to talk to someone, ask your doctor about counselling sessions available in your area, or for a referral to a counsellor.

Below are also some support groups you may find helpful.

NZ Alopecia Facebook support groupNZ Alopecia website Information from fellow New Zealanders living with alopecia. Links to support groups, personal experiences through to information about the wig subsidy.Wigs and hairpieces subsidy Information from the Ministry of Health regarding wigs and hairpieces subsidy for people who suffer from serious hair loss because of a medical condition or from certain cancer therapies.

What Are The Complications Of Baldness And Hair Transplantation Procedures

Baldness may lower cause self-esteem. There are complications associated with hair transplantation procedures that include:

• Patchy hair growth. Sometimes, the growth of newly placed hair has a patchy look, especially if it is placed next to a thinning area. This can often be fixed with more surgery.

• Bleeding and/or wide scars. Tension on the scalp from some of the scalp reduction techniques can cause wide scars and/or bleeding.

• Grafts not taking. Occasionally, there is a chance that the graft may not “take.” If this is the case, surgery must be repeated.

• Infection. As with any surgical procedure, there is the risk of infection.

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When To Contact A Medical Professional

• Losing hair in an unusual pattern
• Losing hair rapidly or at an early age
• Pain or itching with the hair loss
• The skin on your scalp under the involved area is red, scaly, or otherwise abnormal
• Acne, facial hair, or an abnormal menstrual cycle
• You are a woman and have male pattern baldness
• Bald spots on your beard or eyebrows
• Weight gain or muscle weakness, intolerance to cold temperatures, or fatigue
• Areas of infection on your scalp

What Are The Types Of Hair Loss

Some types of hair loss are permanent, while others are temporary. The most common types of hair loss include:

• Androgenic alopecia: This type of hereditary baldness can affect anyone .
• Alopecia areata: Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease that results in hair loss from the head and body.
• Telogen effluvium: This type of hair loss involves rapid shedding of hair in a short amount of time. It typically happens a few months after your body goes through something physically or emotionally stressful. It can also result from sudden hormonal changes.
• Anagen effluvium: This very rapid hair loss occurs due to certain medical treatments, such as chemotherapy.

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Does Hair Loss Stop At Certain Age

Once you reach that age, hair loss doesnt stop, though it accelerates. The peak age for hair loss, in fact, is generally between the ages of 50 and 60. Wambier says that this is because cellular pathways change as we age. Our body creates more of the enzymes that turn testosterone into dihydrotestosterone.

Does A Lack Of Vitamin D Cause Hair Loss

Both vitamin D deficiency, as well as vitamin D excess, may cause hair loss, Chacon explains. A 2020 study in the International Journal of Dermatology found that vitamin D deficiency may also play a role in the development and severity of androgenetic alopecia, also known as male pattern baldness.

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Reasons For Sudden Hair Loss And How You Can Get Help

Everyone experiences hair shedding, and it happens to each of us every day. Most people lose 50 to 100 hairs per day as part of this natural cycle, more on days you wash your hair. But what if you check your pillow, shower drain, or comb and it looks like youâre suddenly losing much more than that?

The best thing you can do is talk to your doctor or dermatologist. Theyâll get to the bottom of why youâre losing hair, and theyâll make sure you get the right treatment in case a medical condition is to blame.

Here are just some of the reasons you could have sudden hair loss.

More Information About Alopecia

The following are some English-language resources that may be useful. Please note that THE MANUAL is not responsible for the content of these resources.

• National Alopecia Areata Foundation: Information about many aspects of alopecia, including links to support groups, community resources, and treatment options

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Does Iron Deficiency Cause Hairloss

Iron deficiency hair loss can look like traditional male- and female-pattern hair loss. A study published in the Journal of Korean Medical Science found that iron may not only play a role in hair loss, but it may cause hair to fall out in a fashion similar to that of genetic male- and female-pattern baldness.

Diseases That May Cause Hair Loss

Hair loss often occurs in patients suffering or recovering from a medical condition or illness. Amongst a growing list of issues and concerns, hair loss can then lead to additional stress and anxiety as the amount of hair loss becomes more prevalent and noticeable to others. Although there are a vast number of health issues that result in hair loss, some of the most common diseases include:

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The Initial Causes Hair Loss Underlying Medical Condition

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.

What To Expect At Your Office Visit

A careful medical history and examination of the hair and scalp are usually enough to diagnose the cause of your hair loss.

Your provider will ask detailed questions about:

• Symptoms of your hair loss. If there is a pattern to your hair loss or if you are losing hair from other parts of your body as well, if other family members have hair loss.
• How you care for your hair. How often you shampoo and blow dry or if you use hair products.
• Your emotional well-being and if you are under a lot of physical or emotional stress
• Your diet, if you have made recent changes
• Recent illnesses such as a high fever or any surgeries

Tests that may be performed include:

• Blood tests to rule out disease
• Microscopic examination of a plucked hair
• Skin biopsy of the scalp

If you have ringworm on the scalp, you may be prescribed an antifungal shampoo and oral medicine for you to take. Applying creams and lotions may not get into the hair follicles to kill the fungus.

Your provider may advise you to use a solution, such as Minoxidil that is applied to the scalp to stimulate hair growth. Other medicines, such as hormones, may be prescribed to decrease hair loss and promote hair growth. Drugs such as finasteride and dutasteride can be taken by men to decrease hair loss and grow new hair.

If you have a certain vitamin deficiency, your provider will likely recommend that you take a supplement.

• Folliculitis – decalvans on the scalp

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