What causes hair loss?

Men are indeed more likely to lose their hair than women, but hair loss, hair loss, and thinning hair affect both sexes — and neither do they alleviate nor diminish. But here’s the thing: There is no underlying cause for hair loss — the causes can range from mild and temporary (such as vitamin deficiencies) to more complex ones, such as an underlying medical condition. Fortunately, there are many ways to treat hair loss in both men and women (depending on the cause, of course). Here are some common and unusual reasons why you may see short hair on your head – and what you can do.

You are very depressed or ill

Depression or illness (currently, including COVID-19) can cause hair loss — a process is known as telogen effluvium, or stress-induced hair loss, Michelle Henry, MD, a New York-based dermatologist, previously told health professionals. “Our bodies experience stress in the same way that they experience physical stress, and any significant stress on the body can cause hair growth to be tied up,” said Dr. Henry. “And when the hair grows, it falls out.” Specifically, when the body is stressed it releases the hormone cortisol, which can affect the hair follicle and cause hair loss or loss. The breakthrough usually occurs for at least three months following a traumatic event, Angelo Landriscina, MD, a Washington, DC-based dermatologist, previously told health officials. Granted, preventing stress is an easy way to help prevent hair loss caused by stress — but it is not always easy. If you are losing hair of any kind, it is wise to visit your dermatologist. In case they decide that hair loss is related to stress, your skin may recommend a treatment called minoxidil, a vasodilator that enhances the circulation of the hair bulb under the hair follicle, helping to grow the hair you have lost. Also important: be patient and allow time for hair growth.

She is pregnant

Pregnancy is just one example of the type of physical stress that can lead to hair loss (and hormones). Pregnancy-related hair loss is more pronounced after childbirth than during pregnancy. “Childbirth is very painful,” said Drs. Glashofer.If you lose hair after pregnancy, make sure your hair will grow back in a few months. “It’s normal and it will work,” said Drs. Glashofer.

You get a lot of vitamin A

Excessive use of supplements containing vitamin A or medications can cause hair loss, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. Just FYI: Daily Value for Vitamin A is 5,000 International Units (IU) per day for adults and children over 4 years; supplements can contain 2,500 to 10,000 IU. So more than that you can also risk the fact that some fibers may fall off.The good news: This is also a reversible cause of hair loss, and once excessive vitamin A is stopped, hair should begin to grow normally again.

You do not eat enough protein

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, having too little protein in your diet can lead to unwanted hair loss. It may also be the reason why, in a nutshell, those who eat keto diets also report hair loss due to changes in their eating habits. You can easily add extra protein to your diet by including plenty of eggs, chicken, beans, and yogurt in your daily diet.

You have a female-or-male bald spot

You may already be aware of male pattern baldness, the type of hair loss caused by genetic makeup, and the male sex hormones that often cause hair on the man’s head to fall back into the temples, leaving the M-shaped hairline. But hormonal-related hair loss in women — or bald women’s pattern — is also a factor, according to the US National Institute of Health. This type of hair loss occurs (both in men and women) when the hair follicle shrinks so much over time that it does not grow new hair. For women, the symptoms of baldness of a woman’s pattern include stretching of the middle part of the hair, and, sometimes, coarse hair on the face. The only FDA-approved treatment for women’s hair – and the male pattern is minoxidil (Rogaine; $ 45 on amazon.com), but if that doesn’t work, your doctor may prescribe oral medications such as finasteride (Propecia) that can stop hair. loss or cause others to grow; transplant surgery or hair transplantation is also an option.

Your mother lost her hair, too

“If you come from a family where women began to fall apart at a certain age, you may be inclined to do so,” says Dr. Glashofer. Unlike men, women tend to have thinning hair, instead, their part may be wider and may have significant hair loss. This is also known as female pattern baldness. Women may benefit from minoxidil (Rogaine) to help grow hair, or at least, maintain the hair they have, says Dr. Glashofer. Rogaine is available over-the-counter and is approved for women with this type of hair loss.

It has low iron levels

The American Academy of Dermatology also says that not getting enough iron in your diet can lead to unwanted hair loss, too. According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), iron-deficiency anemia occurs when you do not have enough iron in your body — symptoms including fatigue, fatigue, shortness of breath, or chest pain. To help remedy this, your doctor may suggest iron supplements or other healthy lifestyles, such as supplementing your diet with both iron-vitamin-C-rich foods.

You have a thyroid condition

Thyroid conditions — such as hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism — can cause many hair problems, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. These include thin or lost eyebrows (especially on the outer edges of the eyebrows), soft and thin hair with a lot of frizz, thinning hair, and thinning hair on other parts of the body. Of course, if you have ever lost hair with a thyroid problem, it is best to talk to your doctor about treatment options — but in general, treating the underlying cause is important in treating any other related problems.

You have alopecia areata

Alopecia areata, a common autoimmune disease, causes hair loss on the skin and elsewhere in the body, according to the National Alopecia Areata Foundation (NAAF). The disease affects about 6.8 million people in the US, and people of all ages, genders, and ethnic groups can develop the condition. There are different types of alopecia areata — but all will lead to some type of hair loss, but there is no way to predict how much or even return. A variety of treatment options for alopecia areata are available, according to the NAAF. That includes medications, as well as oral or injectable medications.

• You have lupus

Lupus is an autoimmune disease when your immune system attacks your body cells and healthy tissues — such as your joints, skin, kidneys, heart, lungs, blood vessels, and brain — by mistake, according to MedlinePlus of the US National Library of Medicine. app. Hair loss is a common side effect of lupus and medications used to treat lupus, according to the Lupus Foundation of America (LFA). Occasionally, with lupus, skin blemishes on the hair follicles may prevent the hair from growing back; hair loss due to medication, however, may increase once the treatment is complete and the medication stops. That being said, the LFA says that if you lose hair, it is always wise to talk to your doctor before trying any other treatment (such as Rogaine, which is intended to treat a different type of hair loss) on your own.

• You have lost a lot of weight very quickly

Sudden weight loss is a type of physical injury that can lead to hair loss. This can happen even if you lose weight in the long run. Weight loss itself may put unnecessary stress on your body, or that poor nutrition can lead to a deficiency of vitamins or minerals. Hair loss and significant weight loss may also be indications of eating disorders such as anorexia or bulimia. This type of hair loss, too, will fix itself once in a while. Sudden weight loss seems to shock the system and you will have six months of weight loss and recovery, “said Dr. Hammonds.

• He is being treated with chemicals

Some of the treatments used to treat back cancer unfortunately can cause your hair to fall out. Chemotherapy is like a nuclear bomb, “he said. Glashofer. “It destroys cells that divide quickly. That means cancer cells, but they also quickly divide cells like hairs.”

Once the chemical treatment is stopped, your hair will grow back and although they will usually come back with a different style (maybe curled there before they straighten) or a different color. Researchers are working toward more specific therapies for cancer treatment, which may outweigh any possible side effects. Fortunately, there are a few ways to deal with hair loss during chemotherapy, such as shaving or covering with a scarf.

• You have polycystic ovary syndrome

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is another imbalance of male and female sex hormones. Excess of androgens can lead to ovarian cysts, weight gain, increased risk of diabetes, changes in your menstrual cycle, infertility, and hair loss. Because male hormones are overrepresented in PCOS, women may have more facial hair and body hair.

Treating PCOS can correct hormonal imbalances and help reverse some of these changes. Treatment includes diet, exercise, and possibly birth control pills, as well as specific treatments to deal with infertility or the risk of diabetes.

• Your medicine is guilty

Some stages of treatment may promote hair loss. The most common of these are antidepressants and blood pressure drugs known as beta-blockers. Other drugs that can cause hair loss include methotrexate (used to treat rheumatic and other skin conditions), lithium (bipolar disorder), non-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) including ibuprofen, and possibly antidepressants.

If your doctor determines that one or more of your medications are causing hair loss, talk to him about reducing the dose or switching to another medication.