Hair Loss Can Develop Elsewhere Aside From Your Scalp
While hair loss usually affects the scalp, some conditions can cause hair loss on other areas of the body. Alopecia areata is a disease that can cause hair loss anywhere on the body where hair grows. People who have alopecia areata often have hair loss on their scalp, but they can also lose part of their:
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Eyebrows
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Nose hairs
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Pubic hair
A few people who have alopecia areata lose all the hair on their body. When this happens, the disease is called alopecia universalis.
Frontal fibrosing alopecia is another disease that causes hair loss on the scalp and elsewhere. Some people lose their eyebrows, eyelashes, or hair on other areas of the body.
Its also possible to keep the hair on your head and lose it elsewhere. The friction from wearing tight clothing, shoes, or socks can cause hair loss where you have continual rubbing.
How Is Hair Loss Treated
Talking about hair loss, there are some lifestyle changes that you can make in order to improve your hair loss. As for your dermatologist, he/she can prescribe drugs or recommend some over-the-counter drugs to help treat your case of hair loss. Scalp injections might be required as well. Scalp injections are one of the most commonly used treatments that dermatologists prescribe for hair loss. You and your doctor can also discuss the possibility of hair transplant if there is a severe hair loss going on.
Remember It all comes back to the reason that has been causing you to lose hair rapidly. If it is stress that has been causing your hair loss, managing your stress levels will do some good. If it is a thyroid issue, treating it usually results with an improvement in your hair loss. As soon as that reason is discovered, you can proceed to exercise, improve your diet, and use all of the tips and treatments that your dermatologist has recommended.
Youre Entering The Late Stages Of Hair Loss
As hair loss becomes more severe, it also becomes more noticeable, especially as your hairline and scalp take on the signs of Norwood Type 3, 4 or 5 hair loss.
The more severe your male pattern baldness gets, the more challenging it becomes to treat, as fewer hair follicles are left to protect. Because of this, its always best to take action before your hair takes on the classic horseshoe or cul-de-sac pattern.
If youre starting to enter the late stages of hair loss but still want to keep your hair, its important to talk to a hair loss doctor as soon as you can.
Not only can they help you to prevent further hair loss, but they can also inform you about which treatment options can help you to regrow and restore hair.
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Who Is Not A Good Candidate For Prp
PRP is unlikely to be effective for the following hair loss conditions:
- Alopecia Areata
- Scarring Hair Loss
- Telogen Effluvium .
- Patients with a medical condition affecting the platelets, including patients with a very low platelet count .
- Patients who have had a bacterial infection of the blood within the past year.
- Patients who have a current infection of the scalp.
- Patients who are pregnant or breast feeding.
- Patients with a history of blood or bone marrow cancer.
Thinning Hair Dont Panic Girl Your Dermatologist Is Here
Are you or someone you know suffering from hair loss? Youre not alone. According toHarvard University, about one-third of women experience hair loss at some time in their lives and among postmenopausal women, as many as two-thirds suffer hair thinning or bald spots.
As dermatologists, twin brothers Dr. Kevin DeHart and Dr. Kelly DeHart have seen it all when it comes to hair loss. Typically, women wait longer than men to come in about their hair struggles. However, the sooner you see a dermatologist, the sooner you can begin the hair regrowth process.
Timeliness is a factor when it comes to hair loss, said Dr. Kelly DeHart. If you leave hair loss untreated for years, you may not see as much regrowth as you do when you see a dermatologist within a few months of noticing symptoms and beginning treatment.
When it comes to hair loss, treatment is indefinite. While there isnt a cure, there are some great treatment options that can make a big difference when it comes to hair regrowth.
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What To Expect At The Trichologist
When you visit a trichologist, you can expect a thorough examination of your hair and scalp.
The trichologist may ask you several questions about your medical history, nutrition, lifestyle, and hair care routine. Your answers can help the trichologist determine how to treat you or whether they should refer you to a different specialist or to a physician.
Trichologists sometimes conduct hair analysis to check for structural damage or the presence of a lice or fungal infection.
Occasionally, trichologists will request a blood test from your primary care physician.
Once the trichologist arrives at a diagnosis, they will recommend the next best step. This could include:
- A referral to another professional, specialist, or primary care physician
- Topical creams or lotions
- A mental healthcare professional if your condition seems stress-related
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What Questions Should I Ask My Healthcare Provider
- What is the cause of my hair loss?
- How many strands of hair am I losing per day?
- What type of hair loss do I have?
- Will my hair loss be permanent?
- Whats the best treatment for me?
A note from Cleveland Clinic
Hair loss may cause you distress whether it happens because of genetics, a disease, or even stress. Know that there are some treatments you can try, and expert dermatologists are there to help you. Your hair loss may be able to be reversed. See your healthcare provider as soon as you notice something wrong because the sooner you start treatment, the better.
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Diagnosing And Treating Hair Loss
ANNE L. MOUNSEY, MD, The University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
SEAN W. REED, MD, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia
Am Fam Physician. 2009 Aug 15 80:356-362.
Patient information: See related handout on hair loss, written by the authors of this article.
Physicians should be careful not to underestimate the emotional impact of hair loss for some patients. Patients may present with focal patches of hair loss or more diffuse hair loss, which may include predominant hair thinning or increased hair shedding. Focal hair loss can be further broken down into scarring and nonscarring. Scarring alopecia is best evaluated by a dermatologist. The cause of focal hair loss may be diagnosed by the appearance of the patch and examination for fungal agents. A scalp biopsy may be necessary if the cause of hair loss is unclear. Alopecia areata presents with smooth hairless patches, which have a high spontaneous rate of resolution. Tinea capitis causes patches of alopecia that may be erythematous and scaly. Male and female pattern hair losses have recognizable patterns and can be treated with topical minoxidil, and also with finasteride in men. Sudden loss of hair is usually telogen effluvium, but can also be diffuse alopecia areata. In telogen effluvium, once the precipitating cause is removed, the hair will regrow.
SORT: KEY RECOMMENDATIONS FOR PRACTICE
SORT: KEY RECOMMENDATIONS FOR PRACTICE
An Overview Of Hair Loss
Hair loss, also known as alopecia, is experienced by both men and women. We all lose hair every day around 500 hairs a day, that is, but when you notice bald patches forming or a serious thinning of the hair, it is probably a hair loss case at the question.
The most common cause of hair loss is genetics when a hereditary hair loss happens. But hair loss also happens due to stress, pregnancy, menopause, thyroid issues, iron deficiency anemia, and much more. Unfortunately, not all cases of hair loss are fully treated. However, there are some treatment options that you can try, as not all hope is lost. The first step would be scheduling a visit to your dermatologists office.
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What Treatment Will A Hair Loss Doctor Prescribe
Since hair loss can occur for several reasons, theres no one-size-fits-all treatment for hair loss that doctors prescribe.
When you meet with a hair loss doctor, theyll look at your scalp and identify the primary cause of your hair loss. Theyll then suggest the most appropriate treatment based on the type of hair loss you have and its severity.
Most of the time, hair loss in men is caused by male pattern baldness. If you have this type of hair loss, your hair loss doctor will likely prescribe medications for hair loss such as finasteride and minoxidil.
Finasteride is an oral medication that works by preventing your body from producing DHT, the androgen hormone that causes hair loss.
Minoxidil is a topical medication. It works by moving your hair follicles into the growth phase of the hair growth cycle, and by stimulating blood flow to your scalp.
Research shows that finasteride and minoxidil are particularly effective when used together. In one study published in the journal Dermatologic Therapy, more than 94 percent of balding men who used both medications experienced improvements in hair growth over 12 months.
We offer finasteride, minoxidil solution and minoxidil foam online, with finasteride available after a consultation with a healthcare provider who will determine if a prescription is appropriate.
In some cases, your hair loss doctor may suggest using a topical DHT blocker or anti-hair loss shampoo for extra protection.
How Is Hair Loss Diagnosed
With a physical examination, doctors and dermatologists can often determine the root cause of your hair loss. From here, they may be able to suggest dietary changes or prescription medications that should help.
It may take time to determine the exact cause of your hair loss, however. When autoimmune or skin disease is suspected, a biopsy may need to be obtained that is, a small section of skin will need to be collected and sent to a laboratory for testing. More often than not, a physical examination is all that is needed, but it is worth being aware of the alternative diagnostic approaches if they do become relevant for your case of hair loss.
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Stress Has Taken Over Your Life
Stress is the culprit behind many physical issues, including those making their presence known in our skin, scalp and hair. If youve seen an uptake in your stress levels and suddenly, your scalp and/or skin is seriously itchy or irritated along with increased hair issues, theres likely a connection.
Stress frequently results in sleep issues, which then leads to imbalances in our levels of cortisol. This can act as a catalyst for scalp sensitivity or irritation by reducing blood flow within the skin, cutting off the number of nutrients required for healthy hair follicles. You may want to add scalp wellness products like GRO Scalp Detoxifying Serum.
Regular exfoliation of the scalp can help eliminate pore-clogging buildup that can impact the hair follicles and hair growth. Try a scalp massager to work in the serum while it simultaneously promotes improved circulation and blood flow. In some cases of severe hair shedding, you may want to head to your dermatologist for a hair pull test to determine what exactly the root causes are of your hair loss.
Should I See A Dermatologist For Hair Loss
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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Hair Loss Trigger: The Pill
The hormones that suppress ovulation could cause your hair to thin. Itâs more likely if you have a family history of hair loss. It might happen when you stop taking the pill. Other drugs linked to hair loss include blood thinners and medicines that treat high blood pressure, heart disease, arthritis, and depression.
What You Need To Know About Hair Loss
If your condition is not due to a hormonal imbalance, your doctor may recommend treatment that includes topical corticosteroids. Topical corticosteroids may lead to red or puffy face and can reduce your immune systems ability to fight infection. In some cases, fungal infections, such as tinea capitis, can lead to hair loss. Fortunately, you can take antifungal medications to treat it and get a full head of hair again.
Hair loss is a normal part of aging, and there is no need to worry. In fact, it is perfectly normal for most people to lose a bit of hair every day, and it will grow back eventually. Some men and women experience hair loss as they age, while others simply have a genetic predisposition to the problem. If youre experiencing a lack of hair, you may have a weakened immune system, which can lead to hair loss.
For more severe cases of hair loss, a dermatologist may recommend a hair transplant. This procedure involves a surgeon removing plugs of hair from your scalp. It may take several hours and multiple sessions to complete the process. Its an invasive treatment, and may not be the best option for everyone. Your doctor will need to examine your scalp to determine the cause of your condition. In addition to a healthy diet, your doctor may recommend taking supplements of various vitamins and minerals.
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How To Prepare For A Visit To A Hair Loss Specialist
They key is to make sure the doctor has specific expertise and knowledge in hair loss.
The most suitable doctors to assess your hair loss concerns are a dermatologist , hair loss clinic or a medical professional who specialises in diagnosing and treating scalp and hair disorders .
Tips to assist your doctor
- Make a list of important personal information, especially any recent life changes or major stresses youve experienced
- List all the medications including supplements/vitamins you are currently taking
- List any medical conditions you are affected by
- Jot down some questions youd like to ask your doctor about hair loss
Questions your doctor might ask you
- When did you first begin experiencing hair loss?
- Do you lose hair continually or just occasionally?
- Have you noticed any of the following: hair breakage, shedding or poor hair growth?
- Have you lost hair overall or in patches?
- Have you found anything that seems to improve or worsen your hair loss?
- Is this the first time you have experienced hair loss or has it occurred previously?
- Is anyone in your immediate family affected by hair loss?
- What medication or supplements do your take regularly?
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